Director of Development

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit a cover letter outlining your interest and applicable skills along with a CV/resume to jobs@thecentercv.org.

No phone calls please. Application Deadline: Friday, November 17, 2023

Director of Development Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Development serves as a senior level strategic and visionary development leader for our dynamic and growing organization. They are responsible for creating The Center’s fundraising strategy and overseeing all activities related to the organization’s development functions including major gifts, annual and corporate giving, foundation grants, special events, and planned giving programs. The Center’s Development Department is responsible for fundraising nearly $3 million to support the organization’s many programs and services. This position has direct responsibility for all levels of donor stewardship and relationship management as well as leadership of a growing staff and volunteer team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Design and Lead Development Strategy

• Develop and implement fundraising plans for the organization in partnership with the CEO, Board of Directors, and development team.
• Manage donor stewardship, pledge collection, and communications regarding all fundraising activities.
• Collaborate with the CFO in creating a Development Department budget with realistic assessments of projected revenue and expenses to maintain alignment with the organization’s budget and programmatic needs.
• Establish performance measures to monitor results and evaluate effectiveness of fundraising efforts and track general trends in philanthropic giving, reporting regularly on progress toward fundraising goals to the CEO and Board of Directors.
• Lead the Development Department staff and manage interdepartmental/cross-functional coordination and communication between Development, Finance, and Program teams.
• Identify and implement strategies that support program and administrative staff members’ role in donor engagement and stewardship.
• Support the Board of Directors’ fundraising strategies and provide leadership to board members in pursuit of private gifts.
• Participate as a member of the CEO’s team of direct reports in the planning and strategic decision-making process for the agency; lead departmental staff meetings.

Relationship Management and Donor Stewardship

• Work in close partnership with the CEO, members of the Board of Directors, and volunteers to identify and cultivate prospective donors to the organization.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of new major gift donors, defined as those giving $1200 or more annually.
• Prepare written development—and/or oversee the development of—materials, including briefing memos to support the CEO’s engagement with donors, appeal letters, and other donor communications; and select funding proposals/applications and reports.
• Conduct monthly engagement actions with donors and prospects, including in-person visits and tours, events, calls, direct ask meetings.
• Supervise Development team members, working in partnership to develop and implement a strategy to attract and engage new donors of varying profiles using a community-centered fundraising approach.
• Increase the overall giving of existing donors, with heavy emphasis on stewardship of current donors into greater affinity and higher levels of support.
• Oversee stewardship efforts to ensure that donors are well-informed, acknowledged, and appreciated in meaningful and timely ways.
• Strengthen and expand the current planned giving program including prospect identification, cultivation events, and recognition activities.

Effective Development Team Leadership and Operations

• Build and provide inspirational leadership for a best-in-class performing development team with a high level of mutual respect, trust, professionalism, and dedication.
• Develop and manage Development Department budgets to achieve and exceed annual fundraising targets, ensuring the highest return on fundraising cost investments.
• Select, evaluate, and support the continuous learning and professional development of Development Department staff; manage consultants as needed.
• Increase the effectiveness and productivity of the team by serving as a coach and mentor, promote diversity and inclusion, and motivate team members with energy, passion, and commitment to mission.
• Ensure clear expectations with the team while establishing efficient and best practice systems, processes, and structures.
• Oversee management of all Development Department activities including major gifts, annual individual and corporate giving, foundation and philanthropic grants, special events, legacy giving, and endowment building.
• Oversee reconciliation of development records in collaboration with the financial management team.
• Oversee data integrity, maintaining meticulous records in the donor database in compliance with legal requirements, organizational policy, and departmental standards.

Special Events Oversight

• Lead event strategy and supervise the Senior Manager, Events who is responsible for planning and execution of all fundraising events and management of event committees.
• Supervise and support the team in developing and maintaining long-term corporate sponsor relationships.
• In partnership with CFO, review and execute sponsorship and vendor contracts.
• Review and approve event marketing materials to ensure alignment with The Center’s mission and values, brand standards, and sponsorship recognition commitments.
• Oversee management of event budgets to maximize impact and return on investment.
• Pursue opportunities for 3rd party fundraising and passive income generation.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE (Must Have):

• A minimum of 7 years of successful, donor-facing development experience, inclusive of major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, special events, membership and annual giving, and planned and/or endowment giving.
• Bachelor’s degree is required*; Advanced degree and/or Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential is a plus.* Any combination of experience education, and training that would provide the equivalent knowledge and abilities may be considered as a substitute for formal education.
• Previous experience in a leadership position – ideally Director of Development, Senior Director or similar – with responsibility for fundraising programs, teams, operations, and results.
• Experience working effectively and collaboratively with a Board of Directors or similar volunteer leadership group.
• Track record of creativity and innovation in meeting or exceeding fundraising goals and objectives.
• Depth of understanding of fundraising tools, strategies, best practices, and current trends/dynamics across revenue categories.
• Collaborative management style and ability to reduce silos and ensure cross-functional cooperation.
• Talent for building, managing, supporting, and retaining teams to achieve their highest potential.
• Strong familiarity with donor database systems and ability to provide leadership to data management, analysis, tracking and reporting practices, as well as gift processing and acknowledgements.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentations.
• Budget and financial management experience in an organization of comparable size and complexity and ability to manage budgets, project revenue, and control costs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners.
• Ability to multitask and remain organized amidst multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines.

DESIRED/ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE (Nice to Have):

• Previous development experience in a LGBTQ+ organization and/or community-based direct service organization.
• Existing connections to individual and institutional funders and experience stewarding relationships with high-net-worth individuals.
• Knowledge/History with e-tapestry or other Blackbaud-based fundraising system.
• Proficiency working with Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, and Teams.
• Ability to organize and execute the logistics of events and programs, including materials, information, and people power to optimize efficiency.
• Knowledge of/experience with planned giving and/or endowment funding programs.  
• Fluency in social media applications and knowledge of digital fundraising.
• Fluency in English is required. Ability to speak/read/write/translate in Spanish is helpful.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential is a plus.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  

• Demonstrated passion for and commitment to The Center’s work and mission.
• Cultural competence and understanding of the diverse needs, experiences, and contributions of LGBTQ+ people and communities The Center engages and serves.
• High level of professional maturity, emotional intelligence, empathy, and self-awareness.
• Personal warmth and ability to build trust and rapport with a diverse range of people and groups.
• Demonstrated commitment to prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. 
• Creative thinker, intellectually curious, optimistic problem solver.
• Energy, passion, and dynamism as a public face and voice The Center’s mission and programs.

OTHER DETAILS:

• The person in this position may be required to sit or stand for extended periods, move objects up to 25 pounds, ascend/descend stairs, operate office equipment, open and close filing cabinets, and boxes, observe visitors, and communicate messages and tone by telephone. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Offer of employment may be contingent on satisfactory results of a criminal history background check. 
• Employees must be legally permitted to work in the United States.
• All employees are required to complete their COVID-19 primary vaccination series and are encouraged to stay up to date annually or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption. Documentation will be required prior to your first day of work.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.