Washington, D.C.

The Organization

A 2017 recipient of the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship is seeking a Chief Development Officer to support its effort to end global human trafficking.

Polaris is a leader in the fight to eradicate modern slavery. Named after the North Star that guided slaves to freedom in the U.S., Polaris acts as a catalyst to systematically disrupt the human trafficking networks that rob human beings of their lives and their freedom. By working with government leaders, the world’s leading technology corporations, and local partners, Polaris equips communities to identify, report, and prevent human trafficking in all its forms. Polaris’s partnerships employ a comprehensive model that puts victims at the center of all activities—from helping survivors of slavery to restore their freedom to preventing more victims to leveraging data and technology to aggressively pursue traffickers wherever they operate. A recipient of the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, Polaris has tripled in size over the last 4 years and committed itself to bring human trafficking to an end.

Position Overview

Like its anti-trafficking program, the development department at Polaris pursues a wide range of partnerships, ensuring that all available resources are marshaled in a fight for human freedom. Incorporating support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government grants, and operating on a $9M annual budget, Polaris is committed to effectively and efficiently utilizing every dollar it raises. Polaris has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, an achievement that only 4% of rated organizations reach, for 6 consecutive years in recognition of its fiscal responsibility.

Polaris is seeking a Chief Development Officer to provide comprehensive guidance and overall strategy to grow the organization’s donor base and increase revenue to help expand its mission and programs. Reporting to the CEO and serving as a member of Polaris’ Executive team, the CDO is a key strategic advisor and partner to the organization’s leaders and Board of Directors and an excellent manager to its 5-person development team. S/he is responsible for overseeing innovation and best practices in all aspects of Polaris’s four major development streams: foundations, corporations, individuals, and government agencies. The CDO will design and implement a comprehensive strategy to grow revenue across all of these streams and to sustainably reach a $15 million annual revenue goal over the next five to seven years.

The ideal Chief Development Officer will have:

· At least 10 years of progressively responsible development experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

· Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

· Track record of leading, managing, and integrating an ambitious, forward-thinking development program across multiple revenue streams.

· Extensive individual giving experience, including a sophisticated understanding of how to build an individual major donor pipeline.

· Outstanding major gift fundraising record in a complex non-profit environment, with a demonstrated ability to secure five- and six-figure gifts and to increase giving levels and revenue.

· Experience working with foundation and corporate partners, including identifying prospects, cultivating and stewarding relationships, and overseeing the development of proposals.

· Comfort with interacting and engaging a diverse set of stakeholders, including senior executives, staff, volunteers, all types of donors, and vendors.

· Demonstrated ability to build a well-supported, carefully nurtured, and high-performing team with diverse skill sets.

· Ability to effectively build strong relationship, both internally and externally, through strong interpersonal skills.