Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), a Newark-based legal services program dedicated to serving the legal needs of the poor in New Jersey, seeks a full-time Development Director to lead the organization’s fundraising efforts and to advance VLJ’s mission of providing free legal services to low-income and vulnerable client communities in New Jersey. While a full-time Development Director is preferred, VLJ will consider hiring a skilled professional seeking to work at least 32 hours a week. To carry out its mission, VLJ operates a number of distinct legal programs, which include a Bankruptcy Program, Children’s Representation Program, Consumer Law Program, Disaster Legal Response Program, Divorce Program, ReLeSe, Tenancy Clinic, Trafficking Victims Legal Assistance Program, and Veterans Legal Program. The Development Director is an integral member of VLJ’s management team, will report to the Executive Director, and will work closely with VLJ’s Board of Trustees. VLJ has a staff of 12 and a $1M budget. More information about VLJ can be found at our website at www.vljnj.org.
VLJ seeks a highly motivated candidate with a demonstrated commitment to non-profit fundraising. Applicants must have:
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated success in non-profit fundraising, with at least 2-5 years of development experience
• Experience having direct responsibility for individual giving, corporate giving, major gifts, and foundation giving
• Proven record of achieving revenue targets
• Ability to plan for and execute long-term and short-term fundraising campaigns and events, including an annual dinner, individual giving campaign and other initiatives
• Proven experience working effectively with boards of directors and individual board members
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to write clear, concise and compelling proposals, letters, and reports
• Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate and manage new accounts and donors
• Strong partnership-building and event planning skills
• Thorough understanding of all components of a diversified funding base
• Strong commitment and demonstrated passion for the mission and goals of VLJ
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail
• Ability to travel throughout New Jersey and access to a car
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Mastery of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Proficiency in donor management software
To be considered for this position, send a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and a resume to [email protected]. Your cover letter must state your salary expectations for this position. Also, if you are seeking to work less than full-time, please state your preferred number of hours per week between 32-40 hours/week. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until January 31, 2018. Please include "Development Director” and your favorite color in the subject line of your email. Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Salary based on experience.