Organization Overview

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy, and in operations. The past two decades have seen important progress on child rights, yet while much has been achieved, sharp disparities remain. In most countries, inequality is higher today than a generation ago, including in middle-income countries where most of the world’s poor children now live. The rapid pace of urbanization and the growing youth bulge in Africa and parts of Asia will require significant expansion of the provision of essential services for children. These challenges are compounded by the scale and complexity of crises triggered by conflict, natural disasters, or epidemics. The global community faces these challenges when the political and economic environments pose challenges of their own, testing the world’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable. In this environment, the strong and consistent leadership of UNICEF is critical to enabling the achievement of results for children.

UNICEF USA (UUSA) is a private, independent, U.S. nonprofit that rallies the American public to support the world’s most vulnerable children through the unmatched reach of UNICEF. Headquartered in New York City, UNICEF USA has some 300 employees distributed across nine regional offices in the U.S. To fuel UNICEF’s life-saving work across the globe, UNICEF USA raises nearly $600 million dollars from private sources every year and marshals its supporters to advocate for over $800 million in annual US government support. UNICEF USA has built an abroad-based movement to advocate for the well-being and protection of children globally. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

Position: Sr. Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives

Location: Nationwide / Remote

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary: NYC's minimum salary for this position is $123,000. This may be adjusted to reflect the cost of labor of a candidate’s work location, if outside of NYC.

Position Description

Reporting to the Vice President, Major Gifts (VPMG), the Senior Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives (SMD), is primarily responsible for developing and maximizing a high-level portfolio of 6- and 7-figure prospects and donors in support of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF as a senior-level individual fundraiser. This team member may also help contribute to the strategic direction of the regional boards for the portfolio areas in which he/she operates. The SMD will play a critical role in developing the fundraising strategy and identifying the execution resources needed for raising support for key funding priorities/stand-alone campaigns across UUSA, facilitating work across individual funding streams as well as institutional funding streams. The SMD will be a key partner to the VPMG in building a best-in-class strategic major gifts fundraising culture.

Key Responsibilities/Outcomes (include but are not limited to):

• As an independent senior contributor, provides technical expertise and broad oversight to a national portfolio of major and principal gift donors, to grow major gift revenue for UUSA, with an initial focus on prospects who reside in the greater Midwest and NY geographical areas

• Lead on the strategy development, decision making, and execution of fundraising campaigns for particular funding priorities.

• Become a focal-point expert and resource for other fundraisers around particular gift opportunities, including analyzing and implementing strategies and solutions, identifying training needs for staff, and collateral needs for donor cultivation.

• Play a critical role in participating in the major gift team’s prospect strategy sessions in partnership with VPMG.

• Work in collaboration, engage, and collaborate with Prospect Intelligence and other portfolio-holding colleagues to identify prioritized pipelines for particular funding projects and help create and implement strategies

• Provide strategic support and direction, as needed, to Boards and Operations colleagues, to facilitate the deepening of a regional philanthropic community through various engagement actions

• Work closely with stewardship and events colleagues to inform engagement vehicles that are pertinent to the cultivation and stewardship of donors associated with special initiatives or campaigns

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required

• 10+ years of fundraising or relevant experience and a proven record of success leading a team of major gift fundraisers

• Experience personally qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors

• Ability to build effective relationships internally and inspire staff

• Familiarity with broader philanthropic community, influencers, and trends

• Experience in a complex, multi-team environment

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

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

• Ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships

• Knowledge of fundraising best practices, including all aspects of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

• Experience with CRM databases and data-driven decision strategies

• Must possess a strong work ethic, and be a motivated, enthusiastic team player who deeply embraces the mission of UNICEF USA

• Must be willing to travel domestically and occasionally internationally (25%)

• Must demonstrate UNICEF USA Core Values (T.R.A.I.T.S): Trust, Respect, Accountability, Innovation, Teamwork, and Service

Must possess current and valid US Work Authorization and be eligible to work for any US employer without sponsorship.

Salary is commensurate with experience. In addition, UNICEF USA offers a comprehensive benefits package.

UNICEF USA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. UUSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at peopleandculture@unicefusa.org.