Position:

Organization:

Location:

Metro Region:

Overview:

Soliya is a quickly growing entrepreneurial nonprofit organization using the latest in Internet and communication technologies to bridge the divide between the “West” and the “Arab & Muslim World.” Its core Connect Program is a unique cross-cultural education program that directly connects university students in the US, Europe, the Middle East and the broader Muslim World via the Internet to engage in dialogue and collaboratively create media about the issues currently dividing the West and the Arab & Muslim World.  In the last three years, Soliya has gone from being the idea of two young social entrepreneurs with backgrounds in new media and conflict resolution to an established organization with partnerships at nearly 50 universities in twenty countries and strong established funding relationships with leading donors in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. 

Currently in the midst of a comprehensive strategic planning process, Soliya plans to take its program to scale, connecting thousands of students each semester.  Based on this growing network of alumni around the world, Soliya is also in the process of establishing a “social media” network that will leverage the latest in user-generated media, social networking and mobile technologies to bridge the divide between the West and the Arab & Muslim World.  To learn more about Soliya, please visit www.soliya.net.

Position:

A new position created due to organizational growth, Soliya’s first Director of Development will utilize exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills to develop and cultivate relationships with all potential and existing funders while building systems to support growth in the organization’s fundraising capacity.  Leveraging the time and relationships of the President, the Director of Development will strengthen existing relationships through strategic and ongoing stewardship with its extraordinary network of supporters including leading American foundations, European Ministries of Foreign Affairs and elite Arab foundations.  In addition, the Director of Development will research, initiate, and cultivate new relationships, and will lead the proposal writing and grant reporting processes.  Initially focusing primarily on foundation and corporate relations, this position provides possible opportunity for growth in the areas of individual/major giving, events, and government fundraising.  The Director of Development will report to the President and will work closely with Soliya’s senior management and Board of Directors to achieve aggressive fundraising goals.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in the creation of a strategic development plan to grow current foundation and corporate relationships and initiate new relationships
• Maintain and grow an active portfolio of funders through the research, cultivation, and stewardship phases, coordinating funder meetings for the President and Executive Director as appropriate
• Oversee the preparation of high-quality grant proposals, reports, donor correspondence, mailings, and acknowledgements required to support ongoing fundraising activities
• Initiate new programs and campaigns as appropriate
• Provide senior leadership and Board with regular reports on progress against annual goals and quarterly benchmarks
• Ensure the implementation of effective and ongoing marketing, publicity, and communications strategies

Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience; professional development experience within a mission-based nonprofit environment managing foundation and donor relations is strongly preferred
• Exceptional grant writing skills and/or demonstrated success using writing and presentation skills to increase revenue-generating opportunities, preferably for a nonprofit organization
• Ability to successfully develop and cultivate relationships with a wide variety of constituents
• Ability to think strategically and act tactically while building systems to support growth
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Good judgment, with the ability to read situations and tailor message to audience
• A professional and resourceful style with the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative and manage multiple tasks and projects at a time
• Passion for the work of Soliya and demonstrated cross-cultural sensitivity
• Knowledge of the cultures, languages, and politics of the regions in which we work preferred
• Experience in an entrepreneurial, non-profit, and/or high-growth environment preferred
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
• Ability to work well with a team; flexible temperament and good sense of humor required

Salary for this full-time position will be commensurate with experience, with full benefits.
Soliya is an equal opportunity employer.

To Apply:

Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity, both in Word format and addressed to Lucas Welch, at http://jobs.cgcareers.org/application.aspx?id=1193.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.