The Director of Development and Community Outreach is charged with engaging members of the development team, the Executive Director, and the Board to raise an annual overall budgetary goal of $1.9 M. S/he handles the planning, execution, control and evaluation of major gift fundraising, guides the annual fund and membership campaigns, oversees public relations and community outreach activities that serve as an entry point for volunteers, members, and donors. The Director of Development and Community Outreach leads and mentors a team of three additional development staff members to grow the fundraising capacity of the organization.
The Director of Development and Community Outreach is part of the organizational leadership team and is expected to be a role model for all staff of the integrity, innovation, and fun we can bring to our everyday work. We are seeking someone who is eager to contribute to a culture that values relationships and leadership that listens to others, aims to capitalize on the strengths and serve the best interests and needs of our community.
This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Executive Director. Occasional work on weekends and evenings required.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Plan and execute the organization’s major gifts program in partnership with the Executive Director. Manage relationships and secure support from donors who are capable of making gifts of $1,000 to $1M. This includes all aspects of the gift cycle: (1) to initiate contacts with potential major donors; (2) to develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them; (3) to move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure; (4) to make solicitations when appropriate; and (5) to maintain stewardship contacts with donors.
• Oversee and improve the effectiveness of the organization’s corporate and foundation fundraising efforts through a systematic program of research, proposal writing, development of corporate sponsor relationships, and stewardship of these key sources of support.
• Manage the performance of the annual fund, membership, and volunteer programs by working with staff to continuously develop and test strategic enhancements.
• Develop communications messages and materials to enhance the organization’s outreach and engagement effectiveness. Work with Board and staff to create and maintain a high level of awareness of the organization’s activities, programs, and needs among all constituencies.
• Design, oversee, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of special fundraising events each year.
• Work with the administrative team to set the annual budget and fundraising goals based on a clear and comprehensive understanding of organizational priorities and the fundraising potential of the development department in the year ahead.
• Assist with Board development and training as appropriate. Provide support and information to the Board as required. Serve as liaison to appropriate Board committees as requested by the Executive Director.
Expected Competencies
• The ideal candidate cares deeply about the environment and conservation issues
• Knowledge of best practices in fundraising and current philanthropic trends
• Understand the needs and interests of major donors in order to develop relationships between them and the organization
• Team-oriented with strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills
• Ability to develop staff using strength-based assessment
• Practice personal reflection and self-correction to assure continual professional growth
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical, and organization skills
Qualifications & Experience
• Minimum of 5 years of development or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 2 years management experience
• Demonstrated results developing cultivation strategies and closing new gifts
• Bachelor’s degree
• Must be able to travel around the region. Driver’s license and vehicle required. Must pass background clearances.
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, unless the requested accommodations would cause undue hardship.
This position engages in out-of-office visits with donors and must be able to travel across the region for such visits. The employee must be able to traverse 1-4 hours at a time outside at parks and trails across the watershed. It is also regularly required to sit or stand at a desk for hours at a time, stand, walk and use hands and arms to operate general office equipment (computer, telephone, file cabinets, copier, fax machine and printer).
Compensation
This is a full-time salaried position with a full range of benefits, including vacation, health, dental, vision and retirement. Competitive salary.
To Apply
Please submit your CV, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to Gail Farmer, Executive Director, gail@wvwa.org. No phone calls please. Please include salary requirements with your application materials. Application Deadline: February 27, 2017
We value a racially, ethnically and culturally diverse work community and we strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. E.O.E.
