Location: Remote (United States)
Reports to: Development Director
Position Type: Full time, Permanent (non-cycle)
**Union: **This position is within the staff Union bargaining unit, represented by CWA Local 6215
About Us
At Common Defense, we believe veterans and the military community are a powerful source of grassroots energy that can drive transformational change. Guided by our commitment to service, sacrifice, and equality, we’re fighting to make America a place where liberty and justice truly exist for all people.
We are not your average “veterans organization.” We are a multiracial, multigenerational grassroots movement doing real organizing to win change for our country and our communities. From expanding voting access to ending forever wars to building a clean energy workforce, we’re fighting for bold solutions that protect working families and preserve our rights. Together, we’re proving that the same commitment we brought to our military service can transform the future of our nation.
Our Team & Culture
We are a results-driven organization where strategy, collaboration, and impact go hand in hand with equity, inclusion, and a deep sense of collective responsibility. We believe that when we invest in our people, we strengthen our ability to win big fights. We take care of each other, celebrate victories big and small, and make space for everyone to grow.
If you’re ready to bring your skills to an ambitious, growing movement, we’d love to have you on our team.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
Common Defense is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the values we fight for every day. We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities to apply.
As a majority-veteran organization, we strongly encourage veterans and military family members to apply. We recognize the unique perspectives and experiences that come from military service and believe they are critical to our work. However, we also welcome applicants from all backgrounds who are passionate about our mission, regardless of prior military experience.
Position Overview
In order to meet the increased demand and ensure that our foreign policy, climate justice, immigration and democracy campaigns can continue to thrive, Common Defense is seeking to hire an organized, energetic, values-aligned and results-oriented Major Gifts Manager. The Major Gifts Manager will create and implement a robust major individual giving program for Common Defense, with a particular focus on raising c4 and PAC funds. This role will be responsible for developing and executing a major gifts strategy, major donor pipeline, and individualized major gift strategies for a growing portfolio of prospects and donors.
This is an ideal position for a motivated and experienced development professional who is looking to join a growing organization in a period of thrilling possibility. This is a full time position and reports to the Development Director, working closely with the Executive Director, Senior Campaigns Director and other senior staff.
Key Responsibilities
Creating and executing a 3-5 year major gifts strategy, with a particular focus on c4 and PAC funds
Identifying prospective major individual donors ($10,000+) with the capacity and motivation to make significant philanthropic investments in Common Defense
Building and proactively managing tailored cultivation strategies for major gifts prospects
Devising and implementing strategies to cultivate existing major donors, working to encourage them to make larger and/or longer-term investments
Identifying, obtaining, and implementing the most appropriate screening tools
Tracking major donor relationships in existing tracking systems; creating new major donor tracking mechanisms as needed
Providing the ED, DD and other senior staff with meeting and speaking engagement support for major gifts fundraising as needed, including background research, talking points, and development of collateral
Attending cultivation and stewardship meetings with the ED, DD and other staff and serving as a representative of Common Defense when appropriate
Providing logistical support leading up to and during virtual or in person cultivation or fundraising events
Managing ongoing communication with current and prospective major donors
Responding to major gift opportunities that arise
Work closely with the Development Coordinator to ensure our CRM is updated with institutional funder and partner information
Stay abreast of funding news and trends within the progressive and veteran funding spaces
Qualifications
If you do not meet all these qualifications but are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply! Research shows that people from underrepresented backgrounds often self-select out of opportunities, and we are committed to finding the best person for the job. We recognize that the person who is the best fit may seek continuing professional development to acquire all of these skills over time. We also recognize that many ways of gaining the experience we seek could be volunteer or unpaid activities, rather than formal job positions.
Required:
4-5 years of work experience in development and/or fundraising preferred
Commitment to Common Defense’s mission and the veterans and military families constituency
Strong analytical, verbal, written, organizational and communication skills
Keen attention to detail, and a quick learner
Ability to think and work quickly and efficiently, and communicate effectively with team members
Strong ethics and discretion with sensitive material
Willingness to be flexible, open-minded, and a highly engaged team player
Preferred:
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this role is **$75,000 - $90,000 per year. **The final salary will be determined based on an internal equitable scale that takes into consideration years and type of experience, and geographic location.
We also offer a robust package for full-time employees including paid time off; health insurance; a health reimbursement plan; and a retirement plan. As a primarily-remote organization, we span different time zones, but employees are generally expected to work during ordinary business hours in their U.S. time zone.
How to Apply
If you're ready to make a difference and help build a movement, we want to hear from you! Apply by submitting your resume and a 1-page cover letter via Indeed. Address cover letters to Jessica James, Development Director. In your cover letter, we encourage you to share why working for a veterans organization engaged in political organizing is meaningful to you.
If you have any questions you can email alex@commondefense.us.
Be part of something bigger. Join us at Common Defense and help us continue the fight!
Our Hiring Process
In order to provide transparency for job-seekers, here is an outline of the steps of our hiring process:
Review resume & application materials
30 minute phone screening interview for selected candidates
Hour long virtual interview with Development Director
Potential panel interview with other key staff
Reference check/background check
The priority deadline for applications is September 15th, however additional applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Our target date for making an offer for this role is October 6th.