AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION

POSITION SUMMARY

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) is seeking a visionary Vice President, Development to lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy that advances discovery and innovation in Earth and space sciences worldwide. As a key member of AGU’s senior leadership team, you will cultivate transformative partnerships with foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individual donors to secure resources that power AGU’s programs.

WHY JOIN AGU

Our employees are our most valuable assets! You will feel welcomed and supported from the moment you join our team, and you will take part in strengthening and evolving our workplace culture.
We offer work-life balance and innovative benefits.

Work-life balance: remote-first organization, flexible work hours, unlimited PTO, Summer Fridays off, paid holidays, military leave.
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, wellness, tuition reimbursement, 403(b) plan, FSA, HSA, theft protection, wellness, pet care, personal and professional development, Parental leave and much more.

WHO WE ARE

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) supports a global community of more than half a million professionals and advocates in the Earth and space sciences.
Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerates knowledge and creates solutions that are ethical, unbiased, and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events, and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net-zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C., and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.

WHO YOU ARE

As the VP, Development, you are critical to growing the revenue that enables AGU to deliver its mission: “To support and inspire a global community of individuals and organizations interested in advancing discovery in Earth and space sciences and its benefit for humanity and the environment.” Reporting to the EVP, Strategic Leadership, you forge positive relationships with external funders and with internal staff partners. Through these relationships, you are accountable for securing external funding for AGU programs and strategic initiatives, and producing significant, positive return on AGU’s investment in Development functions. As the VP you positively embrace personal accountability for revenue generation while working collaboratively within a matrixed organization.

You will develop and implement strategies to grow a pipeline of revenue opportunities in support of AGU’s fiscal stability and growth, and will engage appropriate team members (both AGU staff subject matter experts and select volunteer leaders) to convert pipeline opportunities into active funding relationships. You will be a credible voice for AGU mission and programs, and able to effectively tell the story of AGU’s value to funding partners.

You will be adept at building relationships with decision-makers and securing funding from grant-making institutions (foundations and government organizations) and from corporate organizations. You must also guide AGU’s engagement with individual donors from within our scientific community and high-net-worth individuals interested in supporting AGU’s mission. With direction from and in partnership with AGU executive leadership, you will help to engage AGU volunteer leaders in support of AGU’s fundraising goals.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Develop strategies and tactics for multi-year fundraising efforts.
• Plan and coordinate the work of a team of three development staff, including supervision and evaluation, training and team building.
• Partner with senior staff and programmatic leaders across the organization to define realistic funding strategies and compelling business cases for engaging external funders.
• Partner with executive leadership to engage key volunteers from AGU’s governance structures and membership community in support of fundraising efforts.
• Develop annual budgets for AGU’s Development functions in response to revenue goals set by AGU executive leadership, and maintain department return on investment (ROI) expectations based on approved budget.
• Participate as an active and cooperative member of AGU’s senior staff, leveraging cross-departmental opportunities to advance organizational goals.
• Extended working hours and travel (25%) may be necessary.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

Grant-Making Organizations

• Develop and manage a portfolio of foundations and other philanthropic institutions in support of AGU programmatic and revenue goals.
• Cultivate relationships with leaders at these organizations, and partners with senior staff across AGU to strengthen and expand these relationships.
• Conduct ongoing research and outreach to create a robust pipeline of grant opportunities.
• Create innovative funding proposals for grant-making institutions that speak to the unique value of AGU and its programs and services.
• Support AGU programmatic leads on developing proposals for governmental grant-making organizations.

Corporate Funders

• Work collaboratively across the organization (especially with the AGU Meetings department) to identify potential corporate funders. Co-develop and co-implement coordinated strategies for outreach and engagement of these prospects.
• Partner with executive leadership and peers across the organization to conceptualize and test value propositions for corporate funders, whether by packaging and positioning existing AGU programs, products and services, or by developing new mechanisms for engagement.
• Partner with leaders across AGU to cultivate relationships with executives at corporate partner organizations to maximize their engagement and financial contributions to AGU.
• Coordinate across AGU departments and make direct contributions to ongoing market and prospective research.
• Co-develop and co-implement integrated outreach plans to create a robust pipeline of funding opportunities from corporate partners.

Individual Fundraising

• Supervise and evaluate all Development team activities related to individual giving, with a focus on increasing the rate of financial participation and bottom-line impact from AGU members and non-members who support AGU’s mission.
• Guide Development team research, strategies and implement AGU’s portfolio of individual donor programs, including year-round fundraising appeals, major gift program, donor cultivation, planned giving and donor recognition efforts.
• Remain current on all legislation and ethical practices pertaining to fundraising.
• Responsible for the supervision and management of the fundraising database.
• Analyze donor and donation data to identify opportunities and challenges, and adjust strategies based on these data to ensure budget and ROI goals are met.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

• 10+ years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, with focus on development, fundraising, and/or donor relations. Advanced degree in a relevant field a plus.
• Quantifiable, positive track record of raising funds through foundations, philanthropic organizations, corporate industry organizations, and high net worth individuals (including single family offices) required. Experience with US federal government grants desired.
• Proven capabilities to motivate, supervise and develop a small staff team to achieve consistent, quality results.
• Previous experience working with and fundraising for science, technology, engineering or mathematics organizations, especially STEM professional societies, preferred.
• CFRE certification is a plus.
• CAE certification is a plus.
• Professional communication skills. Communicate easily and effectively with scientists and senior executives and volunteer leaders of AGU, funding partners, and staff team members.
• Professional interpersonal skills, the ability to lead and engage volunteers and staff.
• Quantifiable, positive record of personal and organizational achievement in generating revenue with bottom line impact.
• Experience of managing department-level budgets and operations.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Professional computer skills, including word processing and database management.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with funders, donors and prospects.
• Collaborative in nature, with listening and facilitation skills. Seeks opportunities to build effective teams, produce positive outcomes and to develop innovative solutions that meet the needs of multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to perform responsibilities with composure under tight deadlines, without sacrificing accuracy or quality of work produced.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Understand and embrace personal accountability while still working collaboratively in a matrixed organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of the unique qualities of fundraising for a scientific society.

AGU ESSENTIAL VALUES

• Accountability: Own it.
• Excellence: Give your all.
• Member & Customer Service: Members & Customers first.
• Teamwork: Together everyone achieves more.
• Respect-Earn it and give it.
• Integrity- Do the right thing.

HIRING SPECIFICS

• We understand that it is unrealistic for candidates to fulfill 100% of the criteria listed in a job posting. We encourage you to apply if you meet many of the requirements because we know that skills are evolving.
• The pay range for this position starts at Minimum-$146,250, Midpoint -$195,000, Maximum. $243,750. We typically hire from the starting to the midpoint of our range. The pay is dependent on several factors.
• This remote role is open to candidates based in most U.S. states (excluding WA, OR, and CA at this time).
• AGU will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
• Work Authorization: We will not sponsor applicants for work visas in the US.
• We care deeply about fairness so you can be ensured that your application will never be judged based on religious belief, age, color, race, creed, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, ethnic origin, or disability.
• Veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Please APPLY with Resume and Cover letter to- Vice President, Development

About American Geophysical Union

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) supports a global community of more than half a million professionals and advocates in the Earth and space sciences. Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C. and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct. This is an exciting time to work at AGU. Every day we approach our work with a sense of purpose, and we look for others who share that passion, and desire for a career with impact.

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