Senior Director of Development

Position: Senior Director of Development
Location: Houston, TX
Employment Type: Full-time, salaried
Reports to: Executive Director

Mission

Genesys Works is a nonprofit organization that trains and employs high school seniors to perform professional services for major corporations. Our mission is to provide pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities through skills training, meaningful work experiences and impactful relationships.

Position Description

Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Senior Director of Development serves as a key leadership team member and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting Genesys Works Houston. This position is responsible for all fundraising, marketing/communications, and volunteer program activities, with support from a small staff, the ED, and external resources as appropriate. The successful candidate will help forge new relationships to build Genesys Works Houston's visibility, impact, and financial resources. The Senior Director of Development will also design and implement a comprehensive plan for developing key external alliances by cultivating individual and philanthropic support.

The Senior Director of Development directs and manages the resources needed to meet the current contributed income budget of $2.0M annually and is expected to increase this amount to at least $3.5M annually by the end of the strategic plan that ends in 2027 through the solicitation of major gifts, federal and state grants, special events, and corporate and foundation support.

They will expand and diversify Genesys Works Houston's donor base/pipeline and work closely with other team members to secure funding for strategic growth initiatives. The Senior Director of Development also leads the development and management of board activities related to fundraising, donor relations, stewardship, and strategic planning related to fundraising objectives.

The Senior Director of Development will collaborate with the Marketing and Communications Team to design and implement the marketing and communications plan for Genesys Works Houston. This plan will support the organization's resource development, including philanthropic, corporate client, and board development.

Genesys Works Houston's fundraising capacity is expected to increase in future years as the Senior Director of Development systematically and effectively strengthens it.

Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy to meet annual and long-term fundraising goals.
• Provide strategic leadership and vision for the development team, fostering a culture of philanthropy within the organization.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align development goals with the organization's strategic plan.

Leadership, Management and Financial

• Work with the GWH leadership team and the board of directors to develop and implement Genesys Works Houston's overall financial strategy, annual budget, and operating plan.
• Partner with and support the ED and the Governance Committee on board development activities.
• Create and monitor contributed income and expense budgets for development, marketing/communications, fundraising events, and volunteer programs. Provide regular financial forecasting to ED and board, with strategies for course correction if needed.
• Recruit, train, manage, and evaluate the performance of the development team.

Fundraising

• Direct all major fundraising initiatives with the support and partnership of the ED, staff, and board members.
• Lead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive development strategy to include corporate and foundation grants, event sponsorships, government grants, individual major gifts, and associated cultivation and stewardship activities.
• Lead the Development Committee and serve as the Development Committee chair's resource and thought partner.
• Serve as lead staff to the chairs of Genesys Works' signature fundraising event, the Ambassadors Luncheon, oversee all event sponsorship activities, manage event budget, and support the personnel overseeing events and volunteers in managing event logistics.
• Collaborate with the VP of Development and Communications of Genesys Works national office to coordinate development and marketing efforts in the local Houston market.
• Oversee the development and execution of all grant proposals, supporting the Senior Manager of Institutional Giving in creating compelling narratives, developing budgets, and ensuring appropriate program staff are included on the account team to implement and report on grant objectives successfully.
• Lead all major individual gift acquisition and renewal activities, with support from the ED and board.
• With foresight, oversee research funding sources and trends to help position Genesys Works Houston ahead of major funding changes or trends.
• Monitor all donor information; provide and present statistical analysis to board and senior leaders.
• Develop and implement a stewardship program to cultivate deeper ties with donors.
• Recruit, develop, and mentor the local development and marketing/communications team.

Board and Volunteer Engagement:

• Work with the Board of Directors and Development Committee to enhance fundraising efforts and engage board members in the development process.
• Identify and recruit fundraising volunteers, providing them with the necessary support and training.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in fundraising, with a proven track record of securing major gifts and managing successful development programs with proven experience managing teams and closing six-figure gifts. Non-profit experience preferred.
• Experience in a nonprofit environment, preferably within [specific sector, e.g., education, healthcare, social services].

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff and volunteers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with strong planning and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to develop and implement successful fundraising strategies.
• Proficiency in fundraising software and donor management systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce).
• High ethical standards and a commitment to the organization's mission and values.
• Tangible experience of having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time.

Personal Attributes

• Results-oriented, with a proactive and entrepreneurial approach to fundraising.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and with senior leadership.
• Flexibility and adaptability, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• High energy and passion for Genesys Works Houston's mission is essential.
• Ability to construct, articulate, and implement annual strategic development plan.
• Customer-focused and donor-centric, with an aptitude for working with diverse community groups.
• A professional and resourceful style; the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time.

Compensation

In our quest to be a nonprofit employer of choice, we offer:

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Generous paid time off policy, (10) company paid holidays, and "Soft Close" between Christmas and New Year's.
• 403(b) retirement savings plan with company match
• Flexible work arrangements

Commitment to Diversity

Genesys Works is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all employees. Genesys Works will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion among our staff and corporate partners are essential to successfully executing our organizational mission. As such, we seek to recruit, support, develop, and retain high caliber talent from a diverse candidate pool that both complements and reflects the students we proudly serve.

Commitment to Inclusivity

Genesys Works remains committed to fostering a more equitable, inclusive and united society. We stand in solidarity with members of the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities and seek partnerships that help dismantle the systems that lead to inequity in pursuit of a more just community.

The fabric of our country is made up of its people. The rich diversity of ideas, cultures and norms are what make this country unique, and it is what makes it resilient. For these reasons, there is no other country in the world that ensures the wide range of opportunities and freedoms for its citizens. It is the place people dare to make the impossible, possible in hope for a better future, not only for themselves, but for the generations that follow.