Arena Careers

Title: Director of Development and External EngagementReports To: Chief Advancement OfficerPosition Location: RemotePosition Type: Full-time, exemptCompensation: $95,000-$120,000 About NAL/AF:New American Leaders (NAL) and New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) are working in tandem to build an inclusive democracy by preparing first and second-generation immigrants and refugees to run for office, win their campaigns, and lead in elected office. We are the only organizations preparing New Americans to enter the political process and govern with accountability and authenticity. As a result, more New Americans will run for office, engage their communities, turn out new voters, and ultimately serve as values-aligned leaders in office who can advance just and equitable policies. About the Role:Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the Director of Development & External Engagement is a senior partner in growing and stewarding the financial and reputational resources that fuel NAL/AF’s mission. This person will help lead the advancement function across NAL/AF — driving institutional and major donor fundraising, cultivating strategic partnerships, elevating alumni elected officials as spokespeople, and overseeing a communications function that advances fundraising, partnership, and brand goals across our 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities.As deputy to the CAO, this person will step in on advancement strategy and external-facing leadership as needed. The scope and structure of this position — including team size and supervisory responsibilities may evolve with NAL/AF’s growth. This role suits a senior development-and-communications generalist who thrives at the intersection of writing, fundraising, and external relationship-building, and who is energized by helping build a growing function rather than stepping into a fully fixed one.Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing how your professional background aligns with this position via this link: https://forms.gle/HHibGNXNnTh5kH8u6 What You Will DoExternal Engagement & Strategic Partnerships (40%)- In partnership with CAO, develop a strategy for external engagement and strategic partnerships.- Cultivate partnerships with aligned organizations, coalitions, and influencers to advance shared goals and NAL/AF’s reach. Identify opportunities for enhancing brand recognition.- Identify and prepare credible spokespeople across the NAL/AF network — alumni elected officials, program participants, executive leaders — as visible validators of impact.- Build relationships with media and other external audiences. Help ensure that we are positioning ourselves in the right spaces, platforms, events, coalitions, and people to align with our advancement goals.- Partner with the CAO and CEO to prepare for external-facing events, board and funder meetings, interviews, and site visits. Help ensure these opportunities are maximized.Development (35%)- Partner with the CAO on institutional and major-donor strategy.- Plan and execute cultivation events — funder tables, small convenings, site visits, briefings — managing logistics, run-of-show, and follow-up.- Support cultivation meetings, site visits, and stewardship moments.- Help maintain the moves-management system across both entities through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Partner with the CAO on the development calendar and revenue forecasting.- Work with the team to translate programmatic impact and policy wins into case statements, one-pagers, periodic donor email updates, impact reports.Communications & Brand (25%)- Supervise the Communications Specialist, setting priorities and editorial calendar so external presence reinforces national positioning, donor pipeline, and partnership goals.- Personally write op-eds, statements, donor/partner proposals, board and funder briefings, talking points, and rapid-response content.- Refine and protect NAL/AF’s brand voice and identity; recommend ways to strengthen brand presence with donors and partners.- Prepare staff and leadership for media interactions, donor meetings, and external events. Who You Are (summary)- 5+ years fundraising experience; experience managing a team and budgets; development fundamentals; strong written and verbal communicator; relationship builder; ownership mentality; inclusive, collaborative leader; coach and mentor; mission-aligned. Compensation and Benefits (summary)- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including vacation, holidays, health insurance, HRA stipend for fertility expenses and gender affirming care, 401K with match, FSA, life and accident insurance, voluntary disability, monthly telecom stipend, annual WFH stipend. How to Apply- Please submit your resume and a cover letter via: https://forms.gle/HHibGNXNnTh5kH8u6. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until filled. Reasonable Accommodations- If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, email [email protected].