ABOUT EMILYs LIST

EMILYs List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, works to elect Democratic pro-choice women up and down the ballot and across the country with a goal of fighting for our rights and our communities. 

Our work is centered around a fundamental vision: Elect Women. Take Back Power.

EMILYs List has raised $950 million in service to that vision and has helped Democratic women win competitive elections by recruiting and training candidates, supporting and helping build strong campaigns, researching the issues that impact women and families, running one of the largest independent expenditure operations for Democrats, and turning out women voters to the polls. 

Since our founding in 1985, we have helped elect the country’s first woman as vice president, 175 women to the House, 26 to the Senate, 20 governors, and over 1,500 women to state and local office. More than 40% of the candidates EMILYs List has helped elect to Congress have been women of color. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

EMILYs List is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Chief Development Officer to lead the organization’s development strategy and to reenergize its fundraising program at every level.

Since its founding over 40 years ago, EMILYs List has changed the face of power, one Democratic pro-choice woman at a time. The political climate and fundraising environment have also changed over time, and the Chief Development Officer will be responsible for steering the fundraising program into the future and ensuring EMILYs List success for decades to come.

The Chief Development Officer will create strategic, multi-year development and fundraising plans that align with organizational strategy and seize opportunities to expand the EMILYs List donor community, increasing growth and diversity in membership, major donor relationships, and overall revenue.

This position will oversee major donor and direct marketing fundraising — including mid- and high-level individual donors, institutional partners, direct mail, telemarketing, and offline sustainers — and be responsible for securing contributions from a portfolio of major donors. 

Reporting to the Executive Director and President, the Chief Development Officer will be a strategic thought partner in enhancing the reach and visibility of EMILYs List and in cultivating and strengthening relationships with donors. 

The Chief Development Officer will manage a high-performing, experienced team of over 15 staff and consultants and provide the support, information, and context needed for staff to excel and hone their fundraising skills.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished political fundraiser, exceptional relationship builder, and thoughtful manager with a commitment to electing Democratic pro-choice women up and down the ballot. 

This is an incredible opportunity for a creative and forward-thinking fundraiser to shape the future of EMILYs List and ensure we have leaders who will make the country better for all.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

● Serves as the strategic and operational leader of fundraising for EMILYs List

● Leads the design and execution of a multi-year national development strategy responsible for 80% of the cycle budget for the organization

● Responsible for engaging and expanding the EMILYs List donor community, increasing growth and diversity in membership, major donor relationships, and overall revenue

● Leads a high-performing team of 15-20 full-time staff and consultants located across the country

● Partners with Campaigns teams to translate political moments into fundraising opportunities, align fundraising strategy with electoral priorities, and maximize impact in key races 

● Drives fundraising best practices, including systems utilization, prospecting, reporting, and donor services and communications

● Creates all fundraising and revenue projections for the organization and contributions bundled for endorsed candidates and drives progress and accountability to these goals

● Understands the organizational strategy and aligns development activities to increase the reach and visibility of EMILYs List

● Works closely with the President, Executive Director, Board of Directors, and senior leadership on all development, partnerships, messaging, marketing, events, branding, and positioning efforts for the organization

● Builds and maintains strong relationships internally, ensuring the flow of information to and from other departments is timely and consistent, including aligning fundraising activities with the Digital team and ensuring the Development team has the resources and information from other departments that they need to be successful

● Serves as an external ambassador for EMILYs List within donor, political, and partner communities 

● Develops the departmental budget and approves spending decisions, allocating resources in a fiscally responsible and strategic manner

● Uses available information and consults with others to make decisions in a timely manner and assesses risk when strategic decisions are made

● Other duties as assigned

● Travel is required as needed for events and meetings

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

● 12-15 years’ experience in political fundraising, including senior-level experience developing and executing plans in multi-channel fundraising

● A proven track record of overseeing a fundraising program of at least $20 million per cycle and securing five- to six-figure level contributions 

● A creative thinker and self-starter skilled in cultivating and managing new donors, expanding and diversifying fundraising sources, with proven success achieving large scale revenue targets

● Exceptional people manager with a talent for empowering and supporting high-performing, experienced staff

● Track record of expanding and diversifying donor communities 

● Experience leading fundraising programs through periods of growth, change, or modernization

● Deep understanding of the Democratic political landscape, campaign cycles, and independent expenditure environments 

● Strong and persuasive verbal and written communication skills

● Excellent interpersonal and leadership capabilities

● Experience working with senior executives and Boards of Directors

● Comfortable holding others accountable to desired outcomes and revenue targets

● All candidates should possess commitment and passion to elect Democratic pro-choice women, as well as a commitment to the diversity of our candidates, membership, partners, and staff

COMPENSATION AND LOCATION

The starting salary for this position is $200,000 and is commensurate with experience. EMILYs List offers a comprehensive benefits package. 

Our office is based in Washington, DC. This position is based in the DC office with a hybrid schedule requiring at least 3 days per week in office.

HOW TO APPLY

EMILYs List is partnering with Grossman Solutions in this search. To apply for this role, submit a resume and a compelling cover letter at grossmansolutions.applytojob.com/apply. 

The cover letter should be concise, compelling, and outline the specific ways in which you would be a good fit for this position. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted directly. No calls, please.

EMILYs List is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values a multicultural, diverse working environment. Applicants of diverse backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to apply. 

EMILYs List prohibits discrimination of employment, promotion, compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment based on gender, disability, race, age, national origin, color, creed, sexual orientation, sex (including marital and parental status), gender identity and expression, religion, economic status, ethnic identity, veteran’s status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the person holding this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. EMILYs List reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary.