Full-Time, Exempt
Department: Development
Reports To: President & CEO
Supervision: Development Department and Volunteers
Job Summary: The Director of Development is a key member of the senior team and serves as lead strategist and fundraiser for the comprehensive development plan and corresponding strategies. This individual is accountable for all development activities, including Major Gifts, Individual Giving, Corporate Giving, Relationship-based and engagement events, and Planned Giving. Responsibilities include leadership and development of staff, volunteer partnership, and implementation of all aspects of fundraising activities to support growth, budgetary goals, and strategic intent throughout chapter territory. Collaborates on development strategies with the CEO, Manager of Marketing and Communications, Vice President of Mission and Operations, and Board of Directors. As lead strategist the individual will guide the implementation of a multi-year plan for increasing revenue to support the mission of the organization and enable the chapter to meet its aggressive growth goals for the next 3-5 years.
Departmental Leadership
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Provide strategic direction and implementation of the Chapter’s overall development goals.
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Develop and maintain a consistent process to manage donor cultivation and stewardship efforts.
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Lead and coach to a donor-centered culture of philanthropy exists throughout chapter programs, activities, and communications that recognize, retain and secure new donors for the chapter.
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Provide collaborative leadership on the Senior Team, representing development department initiatives, goals, and progress.
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In consultation with the CEO, develop the annual revenue budget and fundraising goals for the development department. Overseeing the management of department revenue and expense budgets and actively participate in discussions/exercises surrounding completion of organizational annual budget and forecasts.
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Hire, train, supervise and develop direct reports, ensuring that appropriate direction, support, accountability, and feedback to all development staff is provided on a continual basis. Foster a culture of cooperation and collaboration among departments of the chapter.
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Utilize metrics for performance and measurement of success.
Development/Revenue
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Define, manage and coach staff to organizational revenue streams, including but not limited to, individual giving including annual fund, major, planned, and endowment gifts, corporate giving, grants, and internal and external events. Set financial benchmarks and ensure successful implementation of activities to meet revenue goals.
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Lead efforts to strategize and assign donor portfolios. Work closely with CEO and other development staff to ensure excellence in relationship management, including ongoing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for current and prospective donors.
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Maintain a portfolio to cultivate, steward and solicit individual donors, foundation, corporate donors, and other entities to increase the base of support from current and potential donors.
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Direct, coordinate and implement a comprehensive fundraising and development plan with detailed and corresponding strategies providing strategic direction to overall fundraising strategy and ensure consistency and coordination of development efforts.
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Coordinate with Make-A-Wish America National staff members to understand and strategize on national campaigns and resources that support the elevation and growth of chapter revenue.
Board of Directors/Committees
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In partnership with the CEO, enhance board member success in achieving annual goals and objectives of the chapter through education, coaching and resource development as needed.
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Serve as the staff liaison to the Board’s Fund Development Committee, providing the chair with analyses, meeting agenda and overall strategic development direction.
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Develop and coach to strategies that maximize all volunteers' fundraising efforts.
General
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Ensure strong partnership with CEO on development strategies, major donors, and chapter plans.
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Ensure solid communication and trust between development and other departments.
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Provides organizational leadership, models organizational culture and behavioral expectations, and defines strategy as a member of the management team.
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Ensure that plans, policies, and procedures related to philanthropy are written down, up-to-date and clearly available for staff and Board member use in accordance with MAWFA standards.
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Actively participate in all internal fundraising events and represent the chapter at special events/public speaking engagements as requested by the CEO.
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Network with members of the local business community, philanthropy community, fellow non-profit organizations, and other Make-A-Wish chapters to increase awareness for our mission, attract financial support and discover and implement new initiatives adaptable for our chapter.
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Monitor monthly revenue results and expense statements, prepare forecasts, and gap plans, and lead annual budget process; prepare alternate plans of action when necessary to meet overall financial goals.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
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Ability to motivate and support a diverse constituency in a team-oriented atmosphere.
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Experience in managing and mentoring staff toward achieving fundraising objectives.
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Proven experience directly asking for financial support from a variety of constituencies.
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Experience managing or supporting fundraising activities including events.
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Demonstrated ability in working with a variety of constituencies.
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Thoughtful, nimble and opportunistic in the moment.
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Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks effectively.
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Ability to build and maintain long-term relationships.
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Detail-oriented and well organized.
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Excellent communication and customer service skills.
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Able to successfully work in a collaborative, team-oriented organization.
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Commitment to and a passion for the mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
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Exercise good judgment and solve problems.
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Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
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Excellent organizational and computer skills, including familiarity with Salesforce.
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Willingness to work nights/weekends or travel as necessary.
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BS/BA; CFRE preferred
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5-7 years of successful fundraising experience with demonstrated progressive growth in major gifts and relationship-based fundraising
We are more than a great place to work - our work is life changing. We are an inclusive and diverse group of people who, through a mosaic of backgrounds, thoughts, and experiences are united in purposeful work. We are fueled and guided by our values - values that are represented in the inspired people we work with and the transformational work we do every day. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and comply with ADA regulations as applicable.
Candidates are asked to submit their resume and cover letter by email to jobapp@va.wish.org. No phone calls please.