Deputy Development Director

Leaders We Deserve is a PAC and SuperPAC dedicated to electing the next generation of bold, young, progressive leaders to state legislatures and Congress. We collaborate directly with candidates on their campaign strategy, communication, fundraising, political outreach, and coalition building to help them run the best campaigns humanly possible and maximize their chance of winning. In the final months of their campaigns, we run hard-hitting independent expenditures on their behalf.

Leaders We Deserve was co-founded by David Hogg, Parkland survivor and Gun Safety advocate, along with Kevin Lata, Congressman Maxwell Frost’s Campaign Manager and the 2022 Campaign Manager of the year. 

Position: Deputy Development Director

Department: Development

Location: In-person, Washington, DC; LWD office

Reports to: Development Director 

Classification: Full-time, exempt employee

Term: Permanent 

Applications for this role will be reviewed and considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

Deputy Development Director Overview: 

Leaders We Deserve is looking for a strategic and highly motivated Deputy Development Director to expand on the fundraising success of the organization. This role will collaborate with the Development Director closely in all aspects of their work. The Deputy Development Director will cultivate and expand the Leaders We Deserve donor base, use creative and strategic thinking to problem solve, and constantly search for new ways to maximize donor engagement with Leaders We Deserve. 

A successful Leaders We Deserve employee will: 

• Think outside the box: This person will have a high level of creativity and regularly question conventional knowledge.   
• Be a self-starter: This person possesses a can-do attitude and constantly thinks about how we can exceed what seems possible. 
• Be detail-oriented and thoughtful: This person understands that working in a small organization means that the details and precision matter, but also doesn’t become a prisoner to them and let perfection stand in the way of action. 
• Be highly communicative: This person will be a proactive communicator towards management and co-workers when issues arise in carrying out their projects and duties. This person can give feedback in a direct and respectful way. 
• Extremely dedicated to electing young progressives: This person sees the virtue in electing progressive young people and believes they have a critical role to play in our party and in advancing the progressive agenda. 

Deputy Development Director Responsibilities: 

• Assist the Development Director in building and implementing a comprehensive multi-year fundraising strategy that meets and exceeds fundraising goals through meetings, events, call time, direct donor communication, and all aspects of the development program. 
• Oversee the Finance Associate’s execution of call time, and charts the path for call time strategy including approving call time lists and advising on donor prospect priorities.   
• Work with the Development Director to set and reach event, meeting and call time fundraising goals.
• Lead, at the discretion of the Development Director, the building of fundraising events including host committee recruitment, event call time, logistics, and follow-up.
• Staff select fundraising trips at the discretion of the Development Director.
• Identify, cultivate, and manage relationships with current and prospective individual donors, donor advisors, and foundations. 
• Collaborate with the Development Director on major donor engagement, including providing materials, talking points, and briefings for donor meetings.
• Ensure that the fundraising team is fully equipped to support and amplify Leaders We Deserve endorsed candidates. 
• Help with additional fundraising responsibilities as needed.

Deputy Development Director Qualifications: 

• This is not an entry level position. A successful Deputy Development Director will come to the role with a strong foundational understanding of democratic fundraising strategies and best practices as well as be able to give thoughtful opinions and fundraising guidance to their team and the organization.
• Preference given to applicants with 2 cycles or more of experience working as a fundraiser on a political campaign or PAC. Experience as a Deputy Finance Director or Call Time Manager on a Congressional, Statewide campaign or equivalent preferred. 
• Demonstrated proficiency in NGP & Actblue required. Proficiency using Numero is a plus!
• A demonstrated record of fundraising success, especially with major gifts, events, and high net-worth donors. 
• A self starter who approaches each task with creativity and strong critical thinking skills.
• Strong writer who can clearly communicate complex ideas in written form. 
• Confident verbal communicator who can independently communicate with major donors, external partners, and up and down organizational hierarchy. 

This role is dynamic and can be time intensive. Leaders We Deserve is looking for a candidate who is comfortable with late-night work sessions and weekend projects when there are important events, deadlines are pressing, or urgent development needs arise. Additional responsibilities are likely to arise given the growth stage of the organization and the current political environment. Additionally, this role includes travel across the country, which could be a few days a month or up to two consecutive weeks of travel. 

Deputy Development Director Compensation & Benefits: 

• Salary: $80,000 - 100,000 annually
• Healthcare: 100% employer paid platinum level healthcare, dental, and vision. 
• Benefits: 
  • 5% employer match for 401k retirement plan
  • Moving allocation to be determined based on location
  • Cell phone stipend
  • Transportation stipend 
  • Professional development stipend 
  • Classpass fitness benefit
• Paid time off policies: 
  • Vacation (starting at 15 days per year)
  • Sick (10 days per year) 
  • 14 paid holidays, along with bereavement and voting time off.
  • Work From Home: 15 days per year
• 12 week paid parental leave policy, with a service qualification.

We value diversity, equity and inclusion. Leaders We Deserve is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our community. 

A political action committee focused on fundraising for progressive candidates.