Development Manager

Join a team that’s making a difference!

Fact-based journalism is under unprecedented attack at a time when a free, independent news media has never been more important. The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) works to ensure that the cornerstone of healthy democracies - reliable, trustworthy news – stays strong for generations to come. We give journalists the support and tools they need to do their jobs better. Through our work, journalists are enhancing news coverage and connecting more deeply with their audiences. ICFJ’s network is truly international - in the past five years alone, we have worked with 177,000+ journalists from 173 countries. Our programs have impact: Stories produced by our participants have led to the fall of corrupt governments, promoted better laws and made communities safer and healthier.

Position Summary: 

ICFJ is seeking a dynamic and strategic Development Manager to lead fundraising efforts, craft high-quality grant proposals, design innovative programs, and collaborate with key staff to support donor pipeline management and ensure impactful reporting.

The Development Manager will develop compelling grant proposals, design innovative programs that make an impact, and produce in-depth research documents, detailed budgets, and other materials as required. In addition, the Development Manager plays a crucial role in managing the donor pipeline, and liaises with the MEL and database officers to ensure that ICFJ's impact is effectively communicated to the development team. 

The Development Manager reports to the Senior Director, Development and supervises the team’s intern.

Major Responsibilities

• Proposal development
  • Produce and submit competitive private and USG proposals in a timely manner.
  • Together with the Partnerships Director and Project Development Director, write and prepare narratives, concept papers, slide decks, attachments, budgets, and other materials that support ICFJ’s grant proposal process.
  • Contribute to the production of donor research profiles and recommend approaches.
  • Collect and analyze information for grant proposals and help streamline the proposal development process.
  • Work alongside the finance team to draft budgets and budget narratives for concept notes and proposals.
  • Work collaboratively with other departments to support new project and proposal development.
  • Manage the team’s intern.
• Pipeline management
  • Support the Senior Director and Director in cultivation and outreach to strategic partners and prospective funders.
  • Maintain active prospect and meeting lists to support funder cultivation.
  • Contribute to excellent data management.
• Perform other duties as assigned and as appropriate to the workload and needs of ICFJ and its effective operation.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Associate’s degree preferably in business management, communications, or marketing, and 3-5 years of experience working in journalism and/or non-profit organizations.
• Experience with donor databases.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate a case for support.

Competencies

• Interpersonal Skills - collaborate, adapt to change, interact effectively with a diverse team while guiding and/or leading others.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving - solve problems and make decisions using creative and inclusive reasoning and acumen.
• Communication Skills - articulate ideas clearly and persuade effectively in writing or verbally to a variety of audiences using respect and empathy. Excellent writing and research skills.
• Organizational skills - in a fast-paced environment ability to manage time and tasks effectively to prioritize meeting deliverables and goals while creating and keeping deadlines with exceptional attention to detail.
• Fundraising- assist/collaborate/lead to initiate, research, and develop fundraising opportunities from single events to campaigns.
• Innovation - willingness to identify and take on additional challenges and tasks to improve processes at ICFJ. Strong understanding of digital and social media.

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter.

In compliance with federal law, upon hire, all persons will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification forms.

ICFJ is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We intentionally reflect this commitment in our policies, our actions, and our work serving a global community of journalists.

ICFJ is a non-profit classified as a 501(c)(3) and as such receives funding from public and private grant funds and donations. Our funders are listed at the bottom of our annual report.