The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization.Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF waslaunched at a time when the nation’s aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racialinequality. From that era to the present, LDF’s mission has been transformative—to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusivesociety.
LDF’s litigation, public policy advocacy and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice,economic justice, education, and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to qualityeducation, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system. LDFcontinues to make an impact in the area of public service and was recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 Brands That Matter under its public service category.
Development Department:
The LDF Development Department is headquartered in NYC and oversees allfundraising efforts to support LDF’s ongoing programs and operations. This is a transformative time for LDF and for its DevelopmentDepartment as we work to rapidly and thoughtfully update our operating model to more effectively support newer, growing funding streams,while cultivating agility in the face of a volatile philanthropic and socio-political landscape.
LDF seeks a collaborative,strategic, and experienced leader to serve as Managing Director of Development. This individual will oversee the day-to-day operations of a30-person Development department that currently raises $50M annually and is positioned for significant growth. Reporting to the ChiefDevelopment Officer (CDO), who is based in LDF’s Washington, D.C. office, the Managing Director will serve as a key thought partner onlong-range planning, growth strategy, and the implementation of a comprehensive strategic development plan.
The Managing Directorserves as the senior operational leader of the Development department. The Managing Director provides day-to-day leadership to all seniormanagers across revenue and operational functions, ensuring effective execution of fundraising strategy and departmental priorities.
The Managing Director will supervise the Development leadership team and play a central role in operationalizing the strategicdevelopment plan; building and managing a best‑in‑class, collaborative team infrastructure; and strengthening cohesion across workstreams inservice of LDF’s donors and mission. This role is specifically designed to add leadership-level operational capacity to the department,allowing the CDO to effectively lead enterprise‑level strategy, key external relationships, and organizational leadership.
TheManaging Director will oversee a multi‑stream fundraising program - including a growing individual giving portfolio, planned giving, directmarketing, special events, and institutional giving, and development operations. Through this leadership, the department will be positionedto execute long‑term strategies that meet LDF’s increased revenue needs and organizational ambitions. The Managing Director will partnerclosely with the Office of the President and Director‑Counsel (OPDC), Program, Communications, Finance, Compliance, and Operations to ensurealignment and effective cross‑departmental collaboration.
LDF operates in a hybrid work environment where employees are expected tobe in the office a minimum of two days per week, unless otherwise indicated.
Responsibilitiesinclude:
- Partner with the CDO to strengthen departmental effectiveness by implementing fundraising best practices,evolving development operations, setting goals and metrics, developing workplans, establishing protocols, and tracking and reportingprogress.
- Day-to-day direction of the Development leadership team, ensuring that senior department leaders and vital functions aresupported, aligned, and positioned to meet their goals.
- Oversee day‑to‑day departmental operations, including staff management,team meetings, donor communications, and cross‑team workflows.
- Foster a culture of sustainable change management, emphasizing agrowth mindset, clarity, and human‑centered collaboration.
- Operationalize the strategic development plan, developed by the CDOwith input from the Managing Director.
- Develop and manage high‑performing staff, coaching individuals and teams to meet and exceedexpectations.
- Implement improved compliance and risk management best-practices related to fundraising policies, donor information,privacy standards, and contractual requirements.
- Establish a department-wide culture of learning and continuous improvement,creating structured training, fostering professional development, and cross‑training team members to build skills, deepen expertise, supportcareer progression, and limit operational risk.
- Oversee a cohesive donor experience strategy, ensuring consistent, high‑qualitycultivation, stewardship, and communications across all revenue streams.
- Ensure strong integration of Development Operationsacross all revenue streams and functions.
- Drive internal communication and alignment, ensuring consistent messaging, informationflow, and coordination across all Development teams and with key organizational partners.
- Support data‑driven decision‑making bystrengthening revenue forecasting, donor analytics, reporting systems, and performance dashboards across all fundraising programs.
- Establish and maintain standard operating procedures to ensure consistency and efficiency.
- Manage and analyze Development’srevenue and expense budgets to influence organization‑wide financial planning, strategic investment decisions, and responsible stewardshipof resources.
- Identify, implement, and refine tools, systems, and processes that support a modern, data‑driven developmentoperation and maximize ROI.
- Coordinate with OPDC, Finance, Operations, Risk and Compliance, and other departments to ensure thatDevelopment’s work is strategically aligned with organizational priorities.
- Serve as an advisor and partner to the CDO on revenuetracking, forecasting, and departmental budgeting.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications include:
- Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in nonprofits and development leadership,and at least 5 years of management experience.
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Exceptional organizational and projectmanagement skills, with the ability to set priorities, manage complex workflows, and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
- Experience managing and negotiating with external vendors and strategic partners.
- Proven ability to work effectively across anorganization and to engage Boards, senior leadership, high‑level donors, and external stakeholders with credibility and discretion.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize and convey information clearly.
- Strongbudgeting and financial analysis skills, including comfort with revenue forecasting and expense management.
- Demonstrated abilityto work both independently and collaboratively with a wide range of colleagues and constituents.
- Experience with fundraisingdatabases, familiarity with Raiser's Edge is required.
- Deep commitment to LDF’s mission, values, and long‑term growth.
- Advanced computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and comfort adopting new systems and tools.
Critical Competencies for Success:
- Relationship-centered leadership: Designsprocesses, systems, and change initiatives that center the needs of staff and donors, fostering trust, clarity, and collaboration.
- Change management expertise: Demonstrated ability to lead and implement organizational change across diverse teams, manage competingpriorities, and cascade information effectively.
- Team and leadership development: Proven track record of building high-performingteams, developing leaders, and cultivating a culture of appreciation, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Systems thinkingand teaching ability: Deep understanding of complex systems, workflows, and interdependencies, with the ability to translate and teach theseconcepts to others.
- Adaptive communication: Communicates effectively with both technical and non‑technical audiences, tailoringmessages to ensure clarity and shared understanding.
The salary range for this positionis:
New York: $180,800-$250,000
Thisis not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job.While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require thatother or different tasks be performed as assigned. This description does not constitute a contract of employment, and LDF mayexercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.
LDF offers all eligible employees a generous benefits package. To learnmore, click the following link: 2025 Benefits Overview.
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The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is proud to be anEqual Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to you without regard to race, creed, color,religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, medical condition or disability, geneticinformation, gender identity, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. Forfurther information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from theDepartment of Labor.
