Director, Development and Communications

Position description

Amref Health Africa in the USA seeks a dynamic Director, Development and Communications to lead our fundraising and donor engagement efforts, focusing strongly on high-net-worth individuals and family foundations. Reporting directly to the CEO, this entrepreneurial leader will identify, cultivate, and manage key donor relationships to advance the organization’s mission. Additionally, they will oversee donor communications, crafting compelling messaging and engagement strategies to inspire support and deepen donor relationships. The Director will collaborate closely with the executive team, Board of Directors, and Partnerships staff to develop and implement effective development and communication strategies that drive sustainable growth and impact.

Amref Health Africa (Amref)

As the oldest and largest African-based NGO, Amref Health Africa (Amref)empowers communities across 35 sub-Saharan countries with accessible, sustainable, and culturally sensitive healthcare. Led primarily by African staff, we are at the forefront of enhancing healthcare access, promoting preventive care, and fostering local ownership to build a healthier, more resilient Africa.

Guided by the Nguni Bantu term Ubuntu—‘I am, because we are’—we are committed to collective well-being and community-driven impact. Last year, we reached over 31 million people across the continent.

Amref USA raises awareness and critically needed funds for our work in Africa. In 2023, 89% of money raised went directly toward programming. Amref USA is a 501(C)(3) organization with ten employees and an annual budget of $8-12mm. Amref Health Africa as a whole is in a strong financial position, and despite recent cutbacks to US government funding, we do not plan on slowing down.

Please visit amrefusa.org for more information.

THE DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

This team secures vital unrestricted funds to strengthen health systems and train African health workers by designing and executing strategic philanthropic partnerships with individuals and family foundations. In FY25, we aim to raise over $2.2 million in unrestricted funding.

The team currently consists of four members: Deputy Director, Development; Development Officer; Communications Manager; and Manager, Database.

Amref USA’s fundraising operations have recently undergone a complete transformation, with new systems, streamlined procedures, and updated templates and communications materials, enhancing efficiency and consistency. Our donor database has been revamped to improve accuracy, tracking, and engagement strategies. We currently leverage the Raiser’s Edge to manage donor relationships and fundraising efforts. We plan to continue to make investments in this team.

THE ROLE

As Director, Development and Communications, you will lead cultivation and stewardship strategies, create partnerships, and ensure quality communications to raise unrestricted funds and awareness of Amref’s work.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

Fundraising Strategy & Execution

• Act as a key executive team member, collaborating closely with the CEO and other senior leadership to shape and achieve the organization’s strategic vision.
• Lead a newly formed comprehensive fundraising strategy to increase annual revenue, with a strong emphasis on high-net-worth individuals and family foundations.
• Manage a portfolio of major gift donors, ensuring high-touch engagement, personalized stewardship, and long-term relationships.
• Oversee and enhance the donor pipeline, driving high-net-worth prospect acquisition while deepening connections with existing supporters.
• Set clear fundraising goals and metrics, tracking progress toward annual and long-term targets, including donor retention and revenue growth.
• Uphold ethical fundraising practices and align all efforts with Amref’s community-centered philanthropic approach.

Team Leadership & Operations

• Lead, coach, and develop the development and communications team.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality major gift proposals and donor communications, including reports, appeals, and the annual report.
• Ensure consistency in messaging across all donor-facing materials.
• Develop and execute a marketing strategy to support fundraising, including collateral and social and email content.
• Manage the fundraising budget, optimizing resource allocation for maximum impact.
• Optimize technology and CRM systems for donor tracking, data analysis, and reporting.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with the CEO to provide regular fundraising updates to the Board of Directors, offering recommendations for adjustments as needed.
• Support board members in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding donors, providing them with the tools and guidance to maximize their networks.
• Collaborate with international Amref Health Africa staff to align fundraising efforts with global initiatives.

WHO YOU ARE

An enthusiastic champion for Amref USA’s mission and values, embracing entrepreneurship, efficiency, ingenuity, communication, proactivity, and inclusivity.

A seasoned development leader with 10+ years of success in securing 5- to 7-figuregifts from a spectrum of donors. You enjoy both the front-facing and behind-the-scenes aspects of fundraising and communications for fundraising.

A strategic thinker with a data-driven, tactical approach to fundraising, translating strategy into actionable goals and integrating innovative best practices.

A compassionate people manager with at least five years of experience managing teams for high performance, fostering collaboration, and creating a positive team culture.

A relationship builder with a warm, authentic personality, skilled in forming long-term connections with donors and stakeholders.

A skilled writer, presenter, and communicator, adept at crafting narratives that highlight an organization’s mission and impact, using data and storytelling to inspire donors.

A flexible team player who thrives in dynamic environments, adaptable and proactive in navigating change within a growing organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience with an international NGO; knowledge of and connections within the global health sector are highly desirable.
• Experience working in or traveling to the African continent is a valuable asset.

WORKPLACE and OTHER DETAILS

• This is a remote role based in the United States.
• Occasional early morning calls should be expected to accommodate meetings in East Africa Time.
• Some nights and weekends may be required.
• Travel is anticipated to be around 10% of the time, primarily for donor meetings, conferences, and occasional site visits across Africa.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary range for this role is $165,000 to $195,000, plus superior health benefits (medical, dental, vision), ample vacation, personal, and sick time, 12 paid holidays, summer Fridays, and 7% 403(B) contribution after the first year.

Application instructions

Please submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected] in PDF format with the subject line "Director, Development and Communications Application." Only applications that follow these instructions will be considered.

If you require reasonable accommodation to participate in our application process, please reach out. Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2025.

Amref USA is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse candidate pool. We are also a fair chance employer and welcome applicants with lived experience in the criminal justice system.

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.