Careers at AFA

Salary Range: $81,600 to $91,800 annually.

COMPENSATION:

We offer a generous employee benefits package in addition to cash compensation. Our hiring range for this role is $81,600 to $91,800. More experienced candidates are invited to apply and are encouraged to include their salary requirements with their application.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Development Manager plays a central role in AFA's philanthropic program, driving day-to-day execution of the annual fund and building a new mid-level giving program to deepen donor relationships and grow revenue. Reporting to the Vice President, Philanthropy, this position combines campaign strategy, compelling storytelling, and data-driven decision-making to advance AFA's mission among individual donors. This is an individual contributor role with no supervisory responsibilities. Applicants are asked to include a cover letter along with a resume.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Manage Annual Fund Campaign (50%) 

• Develop and execute the multi-channel annual fund strategy across direct mail, email, website, and social media to generate unrestricted general operating support from individual donors

• Write and edit persuasive fundraising copy that translates AFA's mission into compelling impact stories

• Lead annual fund data strategy by synthesizing Salesforce CRM data, prospect research, and campaign analytics to segment audiences, personalize messaging, and identify upgrade and reactivation opportunities — partnering with IT as needed

• As data quality grows, build and monitor campaign performance reports (response rate, average gift, ROI, retention and upgrade rates) and translate results into actionable recommendations for future appeals

• Partner across departments (Communications, Membership & Field Relations, Programs) to build on the existing AFA member experience and source stories, imagery, and engagement opportunities that inspire greater support

• Manage annual fund vendor relationships and production timelines to ensure on-time, on budget delivery

Lead Mid-Level Giving (40%) 

• Help design and launch AFA's new mid-level giving program, establishing strategy, moves management, and stewardship touchpoints for donors giving $1,000–$9,999 annually

• Serve as the lead frontline fundraiser for this donor segment, conducting outreach and personalized engagement

• Develop a tiered communications and engagement plan (personalized letters, calls, exclusive updates, invitations) that deepens donor connection and encourages increased giving

• Identify and qualify new potential mid-level donors from the existing donor base

• Set and track annual revenue, retention, and upgrade goals for the mid-level program

• Create tailored stewardship materials (impact updates, personalized acknowledgments) that reflect this donor segment's giving level and interests

• Identify donors with additional major-gift and planned-giving potential

Support Department Priorities (10%) 

• Provide support to the VP, Philanthropy and broader Development team on special campaigns, events, and organization-wide fundraising initiatives as needed

• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and professional development activities that strengthen AFA's overall fundraising program

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of department and organizational goals

JOB QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education and Experience Required: 

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent professional experience

• 3–5 years of fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in annual giving, direct response, and/or mid-level or major gifts

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Preferred: 

• Demonstrated understanding of annual fund and mid-level giving best practices, donor lifecycle management, and moves management principles

• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple campaigns and deadlines simultaneously with high attention to detail

• Experience using Salesforce or other CRM to manage donor data and track performance

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and email/digital marketing platforms

Qualities Preferred: 

• Confident, personable communicator able to build authentic relationships with donors by phone, email, and in person

• Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to craft compelling, mission-driven donor communications

• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, with experience interpreting campaign and donor data to guide decision-making

• A proactive and problem-solving mindset, with comfort working both independently and collaboratively

• Commitment to the mission of AFA

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Works out of Air Force Association’s headquarters in Arlington, VA.

• Typical weekly office schedule is hybrid, requiring three eight-hour days in the office each week with two telework days.

• Operates in a professional office environment with occasional travel to events.

• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, and filing cabinets.

• Must be able to work overtime and travel as needed.

Physical Demands: 

The position requires sedentary work (sitting most of the time with no adverse environmental exposure) and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The position also includes the following physical requirements:

• Movement. The employee in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc., and may require travel to event locations and movement in varied locations.

• The employee in this position needs to be able to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a copy machine and printer.

Salary Range: $167,440 to $200,000 annually.

The Mitchell Institute, an affiliate of the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) is the only aerospace power-focused think tank in the nation’s capital. The Institute informs the national security debate, educates about the essential role of aerospace power, and cultivates aerospace-minded talent. 

COMPENSATION:

We offer a generous employee benefits package in addition to cash compensation. Our hiring range for this role is $167,440–$200,000. More experienced candidates are invited to apply and are encouraged to include their salary requirements with their application.

JOB SUMMARY:

As a member of the Mitchell Institute, the Senior Resident Fellow, Airpower Studies is responsible for leading and developing areas of research specific to airpower strategy, operational concepts, and technologies. The position also provides executive leadership regarding Mitchell Institute strategy, priorities, and events, as well as maintaining a constructive relationship with external partners and stakeholders. Through executing these functions, this position should strive to enhance airpower strategy, operational concepts, policy, and budget outcomes. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Research, publish, and develop a body of work for Mitchell Institute (approximately 65% of effort):

•    Provide executive input on strategy and assist in developing resources to support Mitchell Institute research priorities. 

•    Lead and manage the requisite research to facilitate bodies of work developed by Mitchell Institute.

•    Draft reports, opinion pieces, and issue briefings regarding space and national security topics; contribute to those written by colleagues in Mitchell Institute.

•    Author and publish in relevant and prestigious journals, websites, and other mediums.

•    Engage defense officials, Congress, the broader policy and budget community, and reporters to advance research objectives and findings.

•    Provide data to facilitate broader Mitchell Institute and Air & Space Force Association strategic planning, event coordination, budget planning, communications efforts, and general enterprise cooperation. 

Business Development for Mitchell Institute programs (approximately 20% of effort):

•    Seek business opportunities for broader Mitchell Institute program portfolio.

•    Develop and promote the profile and contacts of AFA, Mitchell Institute, and specific research bodies of work to further revenue and growth.

•    Maintain necessary professional networks to facilitate issue expertise, subject matter currency, subject matter expert access, fundraising capability, and general mission execution. 

•    Share network access with Mitchell Institute staff to facilitate broader enterprise goals.

•    Coordinate within Mitchell Institute and AFA to execute programmatic goals in a collaborative and organized approach.

Support Mitchell Institute program events (approximately 10% of effort):

•    Partner with the Mitchell Institute Operations Team and AFA Communications Team to facilitate event logistical arrangements (book event venue, catering arrangements, on-site coordination, media coordination,      necessary speaker coordination, serve as official event host, etc.).

•    Manage event strategy and ensure individual event goals and overall standards of quality are met. 

•    Serve as a key point of contact during events to support speakers and attendees.

•    Participate and assist in executing workshops, tabletop exercises tied to research projects, forums, and dinners.

•    Be willing to host our digital events as needed (Aerospace Nation, Aerospace Advantage, etc.)

 Other (approximately 5% of effort):

•    Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience Required:

•    Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.

•    10 years minimum experience in national security community, with a focus on strategic deterrence issues.

•    Experience building and marinating relationships at the highest levels of government, private industry, and relevant research and policy organizations.

Education and Experience Preferred:

•    Master’s degree in a related field preferred.

•    Air Force veteran with relevant operational experience status preferred.

Certifications & Licenses Required:

•    None

Department Core Competencies:

•    Technical Competencies (Research)

•    Strategic Planning

•    Decision-Making

•    Business Acumen

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

•    Demonstrated knowledge of national defense, strategic deterrence, military space issues, and aerospace power.

•    Experience developing and ability to grow an extensive professional network in the aerospace sector, national security community, and strategic deterrence cadre.

•    Ability to set strategy and goals for events, and deploy organizational, management, planning and presenting skills effectively.

•    Experience with budget planning and execution.

•    Strong written and oral communication skills.

•    Strong adaptability to stressful situations.

•    Proficiency with Microsoft Office with extra focus on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

•    Ability to be consistently thorough and demonstrate attention to detail in completing tasks.

•    Demonstrated ability to complete, organize, and appropriately document activities. 

•    Demonstrated ability to be honest and ethical in work.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

•    Works out of Air & Space Forces Association’s headquarters in Arlington, VA.

•    Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, subject to modification based on the needs of each program or site.

•    Operates in a professional office environment with travel to local offices, community partners, and events.

•    Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, and filing cabinets.

•    Must be able to travel (5%).

Physical Demands:

The position requires sedentary work (sitting most of the time with no adverse environmental exposure) and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The position also includes the following physical requirements:

•    Movement. The employee in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.

•    The employee in this position needs to be able to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a copy machine and printer.

•    The employee is required to communicate and hold verbal conversations with others by means of the spoken word. Employee must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.