Head of Philanthropy - Remote

The Institute of International Education (IIE) is hiring a Director, Philanthropy Engagement & Communications. We invite you to join a team united by our mission to help people and organizations forge brighter futures through educational exchange and lifelong learning. If you are a job seeker in need of an accommodation to navigate our careers site or apply for one of our jobs, please click here to learn more.

The Director, Philanthropy Engagement & Communications, is a key leader on the Philanthropy team. This person will devise, generate, and implement strategic, integrated marketing, communications, engagement, and stewardship plans to effectively engage donors and key stakeholders. This position will deliver a superb donor experience and lead major communications initiatives and donor relations strategies, including the design, planning, and execution of a portfolio of annual events, highlighted by IIE's centerpiece signature event. The Director will shape and safeguard the organization's philanthropic brand, messaging, and donor value proposition, guiding engagement efforts in response to global educational crises. Partner closely with philanthropy leadership and frontline fundraising staff to develop donor engagement strategies that advance cultivation, solicitation, retention, and philanthropic revenue growth.

Provide strategic leadership for donor engagement and communications functions, including management of staff, consultants, budgets, and cross-departmental initiatives.

Use donor data, analytics, and constituent insights to evaluate engagement strategies, measure outcomes, and continuously improve donor experiences.

Lead integrated donor communications across print, digital, web, social media, and emerging platforms.

Collaborate with institutional leadership, program teams, and external partners to develop compelling impact narratives and donor-facing materials.

Create customized donor engagement strategies, both short-term and long-term, to enhance donor retention and giving. These strategies should take into account donor performance and the life cycle of different donor groups.

Plan, implement, and evaluate the annual suite of events which may include a high-visibility fundraising event that is a key producer of unrestricted philanthropic revenue.

With advice and help from IIE program colleagues, develop the content and flow of event programs and recruits speakers.

Maintain files of governing documents for each endowment and coordinate with program staff to ensure that the use of funds matches donor intent. Lead development and creation of individual and institutional stewardship materials and reports for major institutional and individual gifts of $200K+ in collaboration with programs staff. Produce communications for donors that convey the impact of philanthropy: stewardship reports, website and newsletter stories about donors and beneficiaries, custom letters to VIP donors, etc. Collaborate with Communications and others to develop compelling messages and materials.

Provide direct and indirect leadership to the Philanthropy team including a communication and engagement staff member, as well as other units across the organization.

Education and Work Experience:

Bachelors degree and at least eight (8) years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Extensive experience and expertise related to non-profit advocacy.

Hands-on experience organizing large, successful events, including financial responsibility for significant supplier contracts, requisitions, and purchase orders.

Strong project management skills, with ability to develop work plans and timelines, foster collaboration, monitor progress, and ensure effective communication across the team.

Enthusiasm and drive to get projects and tasks done.

Customer service oriented.

Experience managing staff including hiring and coaching.

Proactive and clear communication.

This position has access to confidential information and interacts with key external stakeholders. A candidates starting salary is determined by various factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, internal organizational equity, and geographic region.

IIE offers a robust suite of benefits to team members including medical, dental, and vision plans, paid time off and holidays, student loan, tuition and professional development reimbursement programs, retirement plans and family medical leave benefits. The Institute of International Education (IIE) offers a flexible hybrid work environment which leverages both office work and telework.

Essential functions are performed in a general office setting with low noise. telephone work and/or computer work, as well as interactions with other team members and external stakeholders. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

We are committed to employing and promoting individuals based on their merits, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizen status, status with regards to public assistance or any other protected classification.