Institute of Economic Affairs
Development Director
Date posted: 7/30/2008
Job Type: Full Time
Description:
Job Description
Reporting to: The Director General
Responsible for: Such staff as may be recruited to support the Development function
Working closely with:
- Chairman of Trustees;
- Any Development Board that may be constituted;
- Board of Trustees;
- Senior volunteers and Fellows of the Institute
Background
The IEA is the UK's original free-market think-tank, founded in 1955. The IEA's goal is to explain free-market ideas to the public, including politicians, students, journalists, businessmen, academics and anyone interested in public policy. In the words of the BBC’s former political editor, Andrew Marr, the IEA is “undoubtedly the most influential think-tank in modern British history”. The core belief of free-marketeers is that people should be free to do what they want in life as long as they don't harm anyone else. On the whole, society's problems and challenges are best dealt with by people and companies interacting with each other freely without interference from politicians and the State. This means that government action, whether through taxes, regulation or laws, should be kept to a minimum. IEA authors and speakers are therefore always on the look-out for ways of reducing the government's role in our lives.
The IEA's main activity is a programme of researching and publishing books (up to 20 a year) and a quarterly journal on various public policy issues. The IEA usually commissions outside authors to do the work, though some is done 'in-house' by IEA staff. The IEA also holds an extensive series of conferences, seminars, lectures and working lunches to discuss its themes (100-150 events a year). There is also a student outreach programme which concentrates on introducing sixth-formers to the principles of free-market economics. The IEA is a registered educational and research charity. As such it is entirely funded by voluntary donations from individuals, companies and foundations who want to support its work, plus income from book sales and conferences. It does no contract work, accepts no money from government and is independent of any political party. The IEA has been extremely successful in funding its activities over many years, owning its own premises in the heart of Westminster and possessing both expendable endowments and a healthy cash-flow. In order to both cement its future and expand its areas of operations, however, the Institute rightly feels that it should both widen the pool of donors who support its work and “grow” the level of support from existing donors. To these ends, approval has been granted for the employment of a professional Development Director who, with the guidance of the Director General, will bring a contemporary relationship fundraising methodology to bear upon the IEA’s operations.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. To develop and implement a broad-based development strategy and programme for the IEA:
- Develop and implement fundraising campaigns for major educational, operational and research projects, in line with the IEA’s plans and ethos;
- Explore fundraising opportunities with members of the Board of Trustees, where relevant;
- Identify and cultivate prospective major donors. Implement strategies leading to the solicitation of prospective donors for gifts and support as necessary executive and non-executive members of the IEA in this aim;
- Promote regular giving by supporters and potential supporters through developing an Annual Fund; • Establish and maintain an effective research function within the Development Office;
- Support the Director General and senior staff in seeking out and developing corporate sponsorship for the IEA at national and international levels;
- Establish a programme of legacy fundraising;
- Devise and co-ordinate effective stewardship strategies for all levels of IEA benefactors and supporters;
- Initiate and oversee development events aimed at both current and potential IEA benefactors and supporters;
2. To manage an effective Development Office:
- Manage any staff as may be appointed in the Development Office and be responsible for staff development and future recruitment, as appropriate;
- Prepare and manage income and expenditure budgets, in agreement with the Director General and the Financial Controller;
- Agree strategy and income targets with the Director General and the Executive Committee of the Trustees;
- Ensure that all data held or sourced on past, current and prospective donors is maintained accurately and used properly within the limits of the various Data Protection Acts;
- Ensure the IEA maximises tax benefits on all forms of donations.
3. To build constructive relationships at all levels within the IEA:
- With the Director General, engage the support of the IEA at large on all appropriate development and fundraising matters;
- To become familiar with the activities and operation of the Institute useful in promoting the work of the IEA to potential benefactors;
- To liaise with the Financial Controller on day-to-day financial matters and provide all information necessary for reports to the Executive Committee;
- To attend regular meetings and report as required to the Executive Committee;
To manage the IEA overseas donations including liaising with Friends of the IEA Inc.
4. To be well informed on developments in fundraising practice and related matters:
- To keep up to date with the fundraising practices and methodologies, attending conferences and arranging training as appropriate;
- Keep abreast of new developments and legislation affecting fundraising and charity administration, and ensure the Director General and Executive Committee are informed on current issues in development.
The closing date for applications is 8 September 2008. Short-listed applicants will be invited to the Institute for interview during the week beginning 22 September 2008. Applicants may have an informal discussion with the Institute’s consultant, Julian Smyth of ASK Associates, by telephoning 01494 447115 or 07798 826105. Further details are available from Mr. Smyth, to whom interested parties should apply (preferably by email) with a covering letter and full CV to: Julian Smyth ASK Associates 76a Carrington Road, High Wycombe, HP12 3HT Email: julian@ask.org.uk
Website: http://www.iea.org.uk
Contact Information: |
Mr. Julian Smyth |
