Director of Corporate Fundraising

Summary

Root Capital seeks a talented and versatile Director of Corporate Fundraising. S/he will be responsible for synthesizing information from different departments and delivering that information in a compelling way through presentations, proposals, reports, emails and other communiqués. S/he will work closely with other Root Capital teams (notably Global Programs, Strategy Knowledge and Innovation (SKI), and Financial Advisory Services (FAS)) in managing and expanding our value chain partnerships, above all by ensuring that our corporate fundraising strategy is cohesive, well-coordinated, and effective. 

In 2012 Root Capital launched a five year strategic plan that demands $70M in philanthropy and more than $200M in new and renewed debt. The Corporate Relations Officer will play a significant role in helping the organization realize these goals. 
 

Mission and History of Root Capital

Root Capital’s mission is to grow rural prosperity by investing in small and growing agricultural businesses that build sustainable livelihoods in Africa and Latin America.

Root Capital is a nonprofit social investment fund that grows rural prosperity in poor, environmentally vulnerable places in Africa and Latin America by lending capital, delivering financial training and strengthening market connections for small and growing agricultural businesses.

Root Capital clients include associations and private businesses that help create sustainable livelihoods by aggregating the products of hundreds, and often, thousands of farmers. Since our launch in 1999, we have provided more than $400 million in credit to over 460 small and growing agricultural businesses.

Root Capital envision a thriving financial market serving agricultural businesses that generate long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability for small-scale farmers and their communities around the world. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Root Capital currently has associated offices in Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and Kenya.
 

Responsibilities

1. Manage relationships with value chain partners towards fundraising goals.  (60%)
   • In partnership with colleagues from the Global Programs, FAS, and SKI teams, identify appropriate corporate donor and investor targets, and develop and implement engagement strategies.
   • Solicit gifts/grants and investments, including writing compelling concept notes and proposals that identify areas of overlap between our work and the interests and motivations of prospective corporate donors/investors.
   • Manage day-to-day relationships with Root Capital’s existing base of corporate support by coordinating across departments and offices and synthesizing information to communicate progress – both orally and in writing – on Root Capital’s work. 
   • Represent Root Capital and make presentations on our work at meetings and conferences with donors, investors, and other external audiences.
   • Help curate site visits to Root Capital field offices and clients with corporate supporters and prospects
2. Develop and manage relationships to support Root Capital’s field building and advocacy work (20%).
   • Develop and implement engagement plans with philanthropic funders in support of our “Catalyze” activities, namely our efforts to build the field of smallholder agricultural finance and expand thought leadership on sustainable value chain management.
   • Manage these relationships day-to-day through effective coordination with the SKI team, Communications, and the Executive Office as appropriate.
3. Collaborate with team leadership on strategic and business planning (10%).
   • Conduct research and analysis for internal knowledge sharing related to philanthropic and debt strategies.
   • Seek ways to improve internal systems and tools that support fundraising efforts.
   • Support and manage staff as necessary.
4. Organizational responsibilities (10%)
   • Represent the investor relations department to staff throughout the organization to achieve a shared understanding of Root Capital’s philanthropic and investor relationships and fundraising priorities.
   • Collaborate with other teams to ensure there is a continuous exchange of information and data as needed.
   • Participate in organization-wide meetings and activities.

Other tasks or projects as assigned.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work of this position, and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in this role.
 

Qualifications and Experience

1. Proven ability to create and maintain positive corporate client relationships, with a minimum of five years related experience.  Experience in a funding/investor setting preferred. 
2. Demonstrable track record in stewarding engagement and transactions to closure.
3. Superior written and oral communication skills, including the ability to engage a variety of stakeholders (from corporate and philanthropic donors and investors to rural cooperatives in Africa or Latin America, colleagues, managers, lenders, etc.), and to distill and deliver complex, technical ideas.
4. Flexibility to play both lead and support roles as appropriate.
5. Ability to thrive in a fast paced and rapidly evolving work environment. 
6. Highly motivated to create solutions concerning issues relating to poverty, international development, and the environment.
7. Knowledge of and interest in financial markets, international development, and/or impact investing a plus.
8. Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to think creatively, take initiative, and work independently, while enjoying working collaboratively and knowing when to seek support.
9. Perceptive listener.
10. Demonstrated ability to manage, empower, coach and motivate staff.
11. Fluency in Spanish and/or French a plus.
     

Salary

Commensurate with experience.
 

Applications and Nominations

*** Writing samples required with application ***

Applications are due by March 31, 2013. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Applications including a resume and cover letter describing your interest, qualifications, language abilities, salary requirements, and how you learned of the position should be sent to: jobs+dcf@rootcapital.org.  Please type “Director of Corporate Fundraising” followed by your name (Last, First) as the subject line of your email (e.g. “Director of Corporate Fundraising – Marrero, Marc”). Finalist candidates will be required to provide at least three work-related references.

Root Capital is an equal opportunity employer.