Director of Development

About Emily’s Entourage

Emily’s Entourage (EE) is an innovative 501(c)(3) that speeds lifesaving research for new treatments and a cure for individuals in the final 10% of the cystic fibrosis (CF) population that do not benefit from current mutation-targeted therapies. CF is a fatal genetic disease primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system. Since 2011, EE has awarded millions of dollars in research grants, launched a clinical-stage CF gene therapy company, developed a patient database and clinical trial matchmaking program to accelerate clinical trial recruitment, and led worldwide efforts to drive high-impact research and drug development.

EE’s work is particularly critical now as revolutionary breakthroughs are available for 90% of the CF population, but those in the outlying 10% of the CF community do not benefit from these major advances. EE is laser-focused on changing that—and doing it fast, so nobody is left behind.

While the urgency of the organization is inspired by Emily’s advanced-stage disease, the work of EE gives impetus to advances that can benefit not only people with CF, but also millions of people with genetic diseases, as well as those combating antibiotic-resistant infections for whom there are no existing treatments.

EE has been featured in the New York Times, STAT, CNN, TheSkimm, People, and more. Emily was named a “Champion of Change” for President Obama’s Precision Medicine Initiative and is the recipient of the 2024 Personalized Medicine Coalition’s “Award in Leadership in Personalized Medicine,” 2020 Philadelphia Magazine “Luminary Award,” and 2016 Global Genes Rare “Champion of Hope for Advocacy” Award.

About the Position

EE is seeking a Director of Development (DOD) to lead its fundraising efforts and grow philanthropy, which currently generates approximately $3 million annually. Reporting to the co-founders, Emily Kramer-Golinkoff and Liza Kramer, the DOD will play a vital and impactful role in elevating philanthropy at EE to speed CF research and therapeutic development for the final 10%. 

Working directly with the organization’s co-founders, the DOD will be responsible for executing EE’s overall fundraising strategy. They will incrementally grow revenue through a diversified revenue stream of philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and events. Working closely with the co-founders, they will help deepen relationships with existing donors while expanding the organization’s reach. The ideal candidate will partner with EE leadership to support engagement of their own portfolios and networks to achieve their fundraising goals and priorities, while also managing their own portfolio of donors.

The DOD will also play a key role in the strategic and logistical oversight of events at EE, in close collaboration with the co-founders. Events, including its signature annual gala, are a key driver of revenue for the organization, and the DOD will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to attract new donors, sponsors, and guests.

The DOD will join a core team of eight, including two co-founders, the Chief Scientific Officer, the Chief of Staff, the Director of Marketing and Communications, the Development Assistant, and additional freelance support staff. They will directly manage the Development Assistant and will ensure best practices, systems, and processes are in place to support sustainable growth.

The DOD must have a passion for supporting EE’s mission through effective fundraising and donor engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy and Leadership

• Serve as the development lead, working closely with EE leadership to build, execute, and manage a long-term fundraising strategy to grow and diversify EE’s annual revenue with ambitious goals and timelines.
• Implement and execute an annual and multi-year fundraising plan to meet the organization's fundraising goals.
• Work closely with the co-founders on their own fundraising priorities, helping them expand their networks and introduce them to new potential donors.
• Establish metrics and dashboards to track progress, measure outcomes, and report regularly on progress towards fundraising goals.

Individual and Major Giving

• Identify, cultivate, and manage a portfolio of prospects and donors capable of making mid-level and major gifts.
• Work with co-founders to develop personalized cultivation and stewardship plans to foster long-term donor relationships.
• Lead annual giving initiatives, including campaigns, appeals, and donor engagement strategies.

Corporate and Foundation Giving

• Oversee grant activities- prospecting, proposal development, submission, and reporting- with a focus on expanding EE’s grant portfolio and revenue. 

Events and Communications

• Play a strategic role in EE’s events, including leveraging its signature annual gala to expand the donor base.
• Working with the Director of Marketing and Communications, generate donor communications, newsletters, the annual impact report, and stewardship materials in addition to other print, digital, and social media content.

 Team Management and Development Operations

• Supervise development staff, including the Development Assistant, consultants, and vendors; recruit and onboard new team members as needed.
• Manage development operations, including CRM oversight, gift processing, donor acknowledgment, and data hygiene.

Key Qualifications and Who You Are

• You are a versatile and well-rounded development professional. You have a minimum of seven years of professional fundraising experience at a mission-driven nonprofit with a demonstrated track record of success in increasing philanthropic efforts. You have an understanding of fundraising principles and development best practices.
• You are skillful at seeing the big picture and translating an organizational strategy into an effective philanthropy program to raise significant funds for an organization. You have successfully led and implemented fundraising plans. You bring deep experience in individual giving with a track record of securing gifts from donors at various levels. You also have experience prospecting and qualifying new donors, with the ability to get them excited about an organization’s mission.
• You remain composed and collected in a fast-moving environment. You bring professional maturity and the ability to manage sensitive information and complex situations—all with grace under pressure.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills. You also have strong listening skills and have the ability to inspire and organize people.
• You bring a collaborative approach to working with individuals and teams. You are focused on increasing the capacity of the co-founders, team, and organization by partnering with them on strategic fundraising priorities, which includes working with major donors. You bring positivity, a can-do spirit, and the ability to understand and respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders. You are open to input and feedback.
• You are an excellent project and people manager, with a strong sense of follow-through. You succeed at managing multiple workstreams and motivating, coordinating, and directing others to stay on track. You possess strong attention to detail and the capacity to balance competing priorities and deliver projects on time and within budget.
• You are tech-savvy and keep up with tools and trends in fundraising. You are proficient in working with commonly used technology systems and tools, such as Google Drive, Google Analytics, GiveButter, WordPress, Bloomerang, Salesforce, Slack, and/or similar programs.
• You are a creative and resourceful self-starter. You bring a “get it done” attitude and thrive in a highly entrepreneurial and fast-paced setting. You drive innovation, solve problems, and maintain a high degree of flexibility and creativity in a dynamic environment.
• You are inspired by the mission, vision, and values of EE. You share a commitment and sense of urgency to bring lifesaving treatments to the final 10% of individuals with CF. You thrive in a high-energy and collegial environment that values relationships, collaboration, and a laser focus on mission.

While this position is fully remote, there is a preference for candidates located in the Greater Philadelphia region, with consideration given to candidates in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Regardless of location, all interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. 

The DOD will be expected to travel in accordance with the needs of the organization to meet with donors as well as attend EE meetings, events, and scientific conferences.

Compensation

The annual starting salary for this role is $110,000 and is commensurate with experience, competencies, and skillset. EE offers competitive benefits.

EE provides equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.