How to apply for Senior Managing Director of Advancement

About The Chisholm Legacy Project: A Resource Hub for Black Frontline Climate Justice Leadership

The Chisholm Legacy Project is a unique resource hub dedicated to Black frontline climate justice leadership, grounded in the Just Transition Framework. It connects Black communities with resources to move from vision to transformation, ensuring Black women leaders have the support to shift society from extractivism to a regenerative, cooperative economy. Working here means being part of a movement that centers equity and justice in every aspect of systems change.

About the role

As the Senior Managing Director of Advancement, you will lead the strategy and implementation of development and communications functions within an integrated framework aligned with Just Transition. This role is pivotal in increasing awareness of TCLP's work and securing the financial resources needed to support frontline Black climate justice leaders. You will be instrumental in linking movements and mainstream entities to advance systemic change.

A typical day

A typical day might involve strategizing with the communications team on a campaign to elevate Black frontline leaders, meeting with a major donor to discuss aligning their philanthropy with Just Transition principles, and collaborating with the executive director to refine the organization's integrated advancement plan. You'll balance high-level strategy with hands-on execution, always centering the voices and needs of the communities TCLP serves.

Who The Chisholm Legacy Project: A Resource Hub for Black Frontline Climate Justice Leadership is looking for

• Demonstrated commitment to Black Liberation, Climate Justice, and Just Transition, with a willingness to engage in continuous learning and unlearning.
• Proven experience in senior leadership roles overseeing both development and communications strategies, preferably in a nonprofit or movement-based organization.
• Strong track record in major gifts fundraising, donor cultivation, and securing financial resources from diverse sources including foundations, individuals, and mainstream entities.
• Deep understanding of integrated strategic frameworks that align communications and development to advance systems change and community empowerment.

Tips for this application

• Highlight your lived experience and alignment with Black Liberation and Just Transition frameworks in your application materials.
• Provide concrete examples of how you have integrated communications and development strategies to advance a mission, especially in climate or racial justice contexts.
• Emphasize your experience working with Black communities and frontline leaders, and how you have centered their voices in fundraising and communications.
• Show your familiarity with the Just Transition Framework and how you have applied it in previous roles, demonstrating a nuanced understanding beyond buzzwords.
• Address the remote nature of the role by showcasing your ability to lead and collaborate effectively in a distributed team, with experience managing remote workflows.

What to cover in your cover letter

["Your personal commitment to Black Liberation and Climate Justice, and why you are drawn to TCLP's mission and approach.", 'Specific examples of how you have led development and communications strategies that resulted in increased funding and awareness for a justice-oriented organization.', 'Your experience in building and sustaining relationships with donors, foundations, and movement partners, particularly those aligned with Just Transition.', "How you envision integrating development and communications to support TCLP's strategic goals and amplify the voices of Black frontline leaders."]

Research before applying

• Study the Just Transition Framework in depth, including its origins and principles, to understand how TCLP applies it.
• Research the history and current work of The Chisholm Legacy Project, including their key initiatives, partners, and impact stories.
• Learn about Black women leaders in the climate justice movement and the specific challenges they face, to better understand TCLP's constituency.
• Explore the funding landscape for climate justice and racial equity, including major foundations and donors that support Just Transition work.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How do you operationalize the Just Transition Framework in your advancement work, and how would you ensure it's not just a theoretical concept?
• Describe a time when you had to navigate tensions between mainstream funding sources and movement values. How did you handle it?
• What is your approach to building a development and communications strategy that centers Black women and frontline communities?
• How would you measure success in this role beyond dollars raised, considering the organization's commitment to systems change?
• Can you share an example of a communications campaign you led that successfully shifted narratives or increased engagement on climate justice issues?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using generic language about diversity, equity, and inclusion without demonstrating a deep, personal commitment to Black Liberation and Just Transition.
• Focusing solely on fundraising metrics without addressing how communications and development can work together to advance systemic change.
• Overlooking the remote aspect and not demonstrating experience or enthusiasm for leading in a virtual, movement-based environment.