Assistant Development Director Jobs in Gaithersburg, MD

Empower Project organizes to improve people’s lives using the power of relational organizing. Together with our partners, we’ve helped boost voter turnout, especially for BIPOC communities, through our approach of tapping into personal networks of friends and family. We provide the software and expertise to help communities, progressive organizations, and nonprofits leverage their personal relationships to build power and dramatically expand the electorate. Our cutting‑edge technology, Empower, stands at the forefront of the industry and is trusted by thousands of organizations nationwide.

The Development Director is a senior leadership role, responsible for designing and executing a high‑impact fundraising strategy to meet ambitious financial goals in support of our organizational mission. This role leads all aspects of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across individual, institutional, and digital channels. The ideal candidate is a strategic, goal‑oriented leader with deep experience in political fundraising, excellent relationship management skills, and a strong understanding of 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and PAC compliance in a campaign finance environment.

The Development Director will work closely with the President, Executive Director, and leadership team to ensure that Empower Project is recognized as a trusted voice in civic engagement and relational organizing, and will be instrumental in developing relationships with allies, funders, media outlets, and policy influencers.

This is a full‑time, remote position. Occasional travel to team retreats, conferences, or partner meetings is required. Empower Project operates as a remote office environment; you will collaborate with colleagues who are based across multiple time zones. You should be prepared to either work from home or a location of your choosing.

This position requires the ability to work core hours, Monday through Friday, as well as the ability to travel and accompany principals as they meet with donors. This position may require some nights and weekends work during the peak season. This position may also include some travel to conferences or team retreats throughout the year.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director, President, and key stakeholders to develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan to meet or exceed organizational revenue targets.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit high‑dollar individual donors, PACs, foundations and institutional partners.
• Coordinate the submission of grant proposals and grant reports (and accompanying materials for both).
• Design and lead a long‑term plan to diversify Empower’s revenue mix, including exploring strategies that focus on mid‑level donors, recurring contributions, and planned giving.

• Design and lead a comprehensive donor stewardship program to ensure that all supporters and prospects are engaged in a way that builds trust and long‑term relationships.
• Preserve and expand the current base of support while overseeing donor prospect research and cultivation to expand our donor base. This includes using NGP to maintain a donor prospect list and prospect data file, including major individual donors, donor‑advised funds, and foundations.
• Create tailored materials and communications to engage and retain donors.
• Arrange and participate in meetings between staff and donors, as needed.
• Maintain a detailed fundraising calendar with clear deadlines. Oversee donor outreach communications, and lead engagement with major donors and foundations including periodic updates and acknowledgments.
• Ensure timely donor follow‑up, acknowledgment, and ongoing engagement for all key principals including the President, Executive Director and other key stakeholders who assist with fundraising efforts.

• Assist the compliance team in ensuring compliance with all campaign finance laws and reporting requirements.
• Maintain accurate donor records and reports using campaign finance tools (e.g., NGP VAN, ActBlue, Salesforce).

• Manage both up, down, and laterally, overseeing a staff of 2‑5 development personnel.
• Provide fundraising coaching and support for the President, Executive Director and other surrogates who engage with donors on our organization’s behalf.
• Lead the execution of donor call time, events and fundraising travel for yourself and the principals.
• Manage relationships and coordinate with 3‑5 Major Donor Advisors who consult with us on fundraising.

• 5+ years of experience in political or advocacy fundraising, with a proven record of raising high seven‑figure budgets.
• Deep knowledge of political fundraising tactics, donor relations, and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to lead complex development programs, including senior‑level experience in material development, prospect research, proposal creation, donor solicitation, stewardship, and reporting.
• Have previously managed a fundraising department and staff.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in fundraising platforms including ActBlue and NGP.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure campaign environment.
• Strong commitment to progressive values and political engagement.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication ability.
• Proven ability to manage your own tasks as well as those of your team.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem‑solving capacity, including the ability to lead a range of stakeholders in establishing a shared vision and executing it together.

• Fluent in a second language, including Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Hmong, or Navajo.
• Based in Washington DC, or the surrounding areas.

$144,000 a year plus benefits. In order to counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, salaries are non‑negotiable for new staff. Benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, and paid time off. Paid time off includes vacation, sick leave, personal days, and federal holidays.