Associate Director, Corporate Relations

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) seeks to hire an energetic and innovative Associate Director, Corporate Relations (fundraising) to join a dynamic Development team at a leading national security think tank in Washington, D.C.

Ideal candidates will have a mature understanding of fundraising principles and a proven-track record of successfully securing gifts and engaging donors. Candidates will possess an appreciation and aptitude for leveraging data, research, and processes to advance sophisticated and personalized fundraising strategies to expand the Center’s donor base and yield increased revenue.

This position will focus primarily on corporate giving, but also include support on securing gifts from the Center’s individual donor base. Candidates who have experience working with corporate representatives from public policy, government relations, corporate social responsibility, and marketing departments is preferred. This position will report directly to the Vice President of Development and work collaboratively with the executive, development, finance, and research teams to secure corporate gifts and develop new strategies for institutional advancement.

The Position

The Associate Director, Corporate Relations, will serve as a trusted partner to the executive team (Chief Executive Officer, Vice President & Director of Studies, and Vice President of Development) and research program directors to help align the Center’s fundraising efforts with its institutional and programmatic priorities. The Associate Director, Corporate Relations, will be a frontline fundraiser and serve as an ambassador for the Center. In partnership with the Vice President of Development, the individual will design, lead, and implement a comprehensive corporate development plan to promote externally a strong case for financial support of CNAS and to meet clear philanthropic objectives. The individual will work collaboratively with researchers and staff across CNAS including development, finance, studies, communications, legal, operations, and research teams to achieve institutional goals.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead CNAS’s Corporate Partnership Program and overall corporate engagement to increase unrestricted general support to the organization.
• Manage relationships with corporate representatives and engage directly with current and prospective donors to steward relationships and secure gifts, in collaboration with the development, research, and executive teams.
• Actively steward and cultivate relationships with existing and prospective donors through regular touchpoints, visits, and event invitations and opportunities
• Support research program stewardship efforts related to policy and research updates and help coordinate stewardship responsibilities across multiple research programs involving similar donors.
• Develop a comprehensive timeline that identifies and tracks corporate renewals throughout the year.
• Work collaboratively with the development, studies, and research teams to identify fundraising needs, design fundraising campaigns, and create prospecting plans, and marketing materials.
• Take initiative in researching new, potential donors to support the Center’s research.
• Co-develop project-specific proposals with research staff as opportunities arise.
• Develop, plan, and execute comprehensive prospect strategies to achieve successful cultivation, engagement, solicitations, and stewardship activities, including hosting meetings and other activities with research staff and prospective donors.
• Lead the fundraising effort and work collaboratively with development and research teams to secure corporate sponsors in support of the organization’s annual national security conference. Drive efforts to move prospects through the donor pipeline and increase giving levels.
• In collaboration with the Vice President of Development, help steward and cultivate individual donors as needed.
• Write donor correspondence including, but not limited to, solicitation letters, event invitations, Center-wide updates, proposals, and thank you notes.
• Coordinate with development, finance, and research staff to draft proposals, donor agreements, invoices, and other funding paperwork.
• Work with the Vice President of Development and the development team to monitor and analyze revenue projections on a regular basis.
• Ensure all fundraising activities are captured in Salesforce in a timely manner, including but not limited to donor communication, management activity, solicitation activity, call reports, etc.
• Some evening work for cultivation and networking at in-person events.
• Some travel to meet with prospective and current donors.
• Mentor the development team for professional development and support them in meeting their goals.
• Collaborate with all CNAS staff across the organization and cultivate a work environment of mutual respect, collaboration, and teamwork.

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in the Center’s hiring processes, including interviews and new staff orientation.
• Contribute to staffing Center events as needed.
• Attend internal meetings and events.
• Represent CNAS externally.
• Execute other duties as required.

The Candidate

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• A range of five to eight years of successful fundraising experience, preferably in a policy-oriented environment, or a similar nonprofit.
• Demonstrated track record as a corporate fundraising officer with success in securing gifts.
• Skilled at communicating the organization's mission, interests, and impact and making compelling cases for support in written and verbal formats.
• Possesses an innovative and forward-thinking approach to designing and building successful fundraising and donor relations strategies.
• Experience working in complex organizations with high performance standards and high expectations of the development team.
• Ability and desire to work effectively and professionally with diverse constituencies internally and externally.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and excellent and effective verbal and written communications. Ability to articulate complex issues, and acute attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines and maintain disciplined adherence to program goals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and email marketing software.
• Experience in Salesforce or a similar CRM (preferred).
• Experience in using multiple fundraising search engines to compile research for principals within the organization.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Legal right to work in the United States.

PERSONAL TRAITS AND LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES

• An entrepreneurial, “get things done” spirit who will thrive in a fast-paced, innovative, and mission-driven organization.
• A visionary with the ability to empower, motivate, and inspire and with a readiness to set ambitious goals.
• Intellectual curiosity, appetite for big thinking, and the rigor and confidence to interact with the Center’s researchers and supporters.
• Open to and welcoming of the ideas of colleagues throughout the organization, with an eagerness for organizational and self-improvement.
• A strong desire to help others succeed and a working style that is respectful, inclusive, and collaborative.

About CNAS

The Center for a New American Security develops bold, innovative, and bipartisan national security and defense policies that promote and protect American interests and values. Building on the deep expertise and broad experience of its staff and advisors, CNAS engages policymakers, experts, and the public with innovative fact-based research, ideas, and analysis to shape and elevate the national security debate. As an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization, CNAS leads efforts to help inform and prepare the national security leaders of today and tomorrow. CNAS is located in Washington, D.C.

CNAS is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

All CNAS employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have an approved medical or religious reason not to do so. Prospective employees are required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination as part of the onboarding process or receive advance approval from CNAS for a recognized exception.

CNAS abides by all Federal and District of Columbia employment laws.

To Apply

CNAS is accepting online applications only. Apply online using this link:

https://cnas.bamboohr.com/careers/93

A complete application will include a cover letter explaining the candidate’s interest in and qualifications for the position, together with a resume or CV.