Job Opening: Director of Development

About SOLA

The School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) is an Afghan-led boarding school for Afghan girls. SOLA's mission is to provide its students with a rigorous education that promotes critical thinking, a sense of purpose, and respect for self and others. Its goal is to build a generation of compassionate, curious, and confident women who will lead a peaceful, prosperous, and united Afghanistan. SOLA is fully operational in Rwanda since August, 2021.

Position Description

The Director of Development will work closely with the President to strengthen and diversify SOLA's overall fundraising capacity. The Director of Development is responsible for overseeing and implementing all fundraising and development activities. The Director of Development will help build SOLA’s visibility, strengthen its impact, and increase its financial resources by cultivating and expanding its donor base. The Director of Development is responsible for designing a comprehensive fundraising strategy, building an appropriate development infrastructure, and executing the development plan, which includes raising funds for general operations, capital campaigns and special projects.

The Director of Development will work closely with and report directly to the President; they will supervise the Director of Annual Giving and other members of the development team as it grows.

Responsibilities

  • Work with SOLA’s President to develop an annual fundraising strategy.

  • Implement a comprehensive development plan, which would include corporate and foundation support, government grants, and individual donor relationships.

  • Execute on capital campaigns and ongoing fundraising efforts, including a broad-based annual appeal.

  • Manage SOLA’s donor database, Bloomerang, and oversee staff responsible for data entry.

  • Oversee development and execution of all proposals and reports for foundation, corporate, and government partners.

  • Research funding sources and trends to position SOLA ahead of major funding changes.

  • Monitor all donor information; provide regular progress reports on the development program, including statistical analysis.

  • Oversee special fundraising events.

  • Manage other members of the development team.

  • Provide administrative oversight, including processing and tracking of gifts and, in coordination with the Director of Finance, reconciling all funds.

  • Collaborate with the Director of Communications on all development materials and website copy.

  • Travel Internationally and domestically as required.

Qualifications

  • High energy and passion for SOLA’s mission.

  • 5-8 years of fundraising experience in a school or a nonprofit organization.

  • Demonstrated success managing relationships with multiple donor sources, including cultivating new donor relationships and expanding existing relationships.

  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

  • Flexible and adaptable style; ability to be both strategic and tactical.

  • Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.

  • Ability to use discretion and handle sensitive information with care.

  • A professional and resourceful style with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks and projects.

This is a remote position. Candidates will be considered regardless of location, however a base near Boston is ideal.

Interested candidates must submit their resume and cover letter to president@sola-afghanistan.org