Director of Development

JOB SUMMARY 

The Action Center, a highly respected nonprofit in the Denver Metro area, is poised for significant growth over the next three years. We are seeking a dynamic, results-driven Development Director to lead our team of six development staff members and elevate The Action Center to new heights. You will collaborate closely with our Chief Development Officer, who is dedicated to a major capital campaign supporting our exciting expansion and impact initiatives. This is a pivotal time at The Action Center, and if you have the expertise to help us grow our annual budget from $5M to $7M or more, we invite you to apply and learn more about our vision and how you can contribute to this transformative journey.  

The Director of Development collaborates with the Chief Development Officer to ensure that the roles, responsibilities, and focus of annual giving team members are aligned with the objectives of capital campaigns, ultimately leading to the successful attainment of all fundraising objectives and the promotion of the organization's mission. The Director of Development holds an active role as a member of the agency's Leadership Team and is involved in spearheading the creation and execution of strategic plans to meet the organization's yearly fundraising targets. The position requires overseeing critical elements of the development program, including donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and managing a portfolio of major gift prospects.

The Director of Development works with the Chief Development Officer to ensure the alignment of roles, responsibilities, and direction of annual giving team members with capital campaign objectives to ensure the overall achievement of all fundraising goals and the advancement of the organization’s mission. The Director of Development is an active member of the agency's Leadership Team.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create, implement, and oversee a strategic fund development plan to meet strategic plan goals and objectives for annual and long-term financial viability and stability
• Effectively select, manage, coach, and assess the performance of development staff to foster a dynamic, fully engaged team and ensure fund-raising goals are consistently achieved
• Ensure a comprehensive, annual grant strategy is in place, inclusive of new proposals, grant renewals, cultivation activities, correspondence, and reports
• Act as the Staff Liaison to the Board of Directors Development Committee
• Utilizing the 5-step relational moves management system, position all Donor Relations Officers to solicit a major gift from 25% of their respective caseloads annually.
• Implement identification, cultivation, and stewardship activities that strengthen long-term relationships with current and new donors, and lead the development team      in this effort
• Provide weekly, monthly, and ad hoc status reports to the Chief Development Officer including pending and successful solicitation efforts, actual to-budget revenue goals, and other reports as needed
• Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer to determine prospects for cultivation as well as identify and respond to potential new funding sources.
• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors to raise five-figure gifts.
• Make direct, face-to-face solicitations, and assist the donor relations team and the board with their solicitations (e.g. provide caseload development support, strategic counsel, and assist with donor communications
• Create and manage the annual development department revenue and expense budgets, and regularly review department  expenditures and revenue projections to ensure alignment with the budget
• Collaborate with the CDO to ensure alignment of capital campaign activities with the annual fund, planned giving program, foundation grants, special events, and other fundraising-related activities.
• Assist with solicitations of capital campaign prospects as assigned.
• Effectively select, manage, coach, and assess the performance of the Marketing and Communications staff to foster a dynamic, fully engaged team.
• Direct the creation and implementation of an effective digital and social media fundraising strategy and other key marketing and communications deliverables
• Provide leadership for all fund-raising special events, solicitation of in-kind donations, and event sponsorships
• Ensure all funds raised are accounted for, donor information is accurately recorded in the donor database, secure controls are in place, and records are routinely reconciled with the Finance department
• Represent the agency in the community and establish strong relationships with other nonprofits, community organizations, churches, businesses, governmental bodies, and political leaders.
• Serve as a member of the agency Leadership Team
• Attend agency events, including seasonal program
• Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree or certification preferred
• Five years of nonprofit fundraising experience at a management level, leading high-performing teams with a proven track record to secure individual and major gifts and meet objectives. 
• Must be a skilled fundraiser, an exceptional communicator, and a person who works collaboratively with and through others to achieve success.
• Must work independently and be self-motivated in initiating contacts with prospects, and demonstrate successful navigation of prospect relationships
• Experience with all aspects of a development department, including, but not limited to, annual giving, major gifts, planned giving,  sponsorships, endowments, direct mail, corporate giving, donor development (moves management), grant funding, and marketing/communications
• Experience establishing department budgets along with a strong understanding of financial documents such as balance sheets and profit and loss statements
• Skilled in using a donor database, prospect research, and other wealth screening tools to aid the moves management process. Experience with Donor Perfect CRM software preferred. 
• Exceptional writing and speaking skills and the ability to compel individuals to action
• Must be organized, prepared, detail-oriented, and follow through on commitments.
• Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrate professionalism and warmth when interacting with the donor community, staff, volunteers, partners & others. 
• Must adhere to the highest ethical standards, demonstrate an empathetic disposition and perseverance, and convey sensitivity to the needs of donors. High level of discretion and  ethical standards in handling confidential information
• Creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial mindset and leadership style
• Strong computer skills including, Google, MS Office, spreadsheets, databases, email, and internet 
• Familiarity with Donor Perfect or a similar donor software program preferred

SUPERVISORY 

This position manages the Development and Marketing department staff: including goal-setting, performance evaluation, feedback and coaching, and professional development planning.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work involves the normal physical activity associated with a development department office environment which includes event-related activities such as lifting and carrying as well as off-site set-up/tear down of tables and displays. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is generally performed in an office environment, but may include work at off-site events 

The Action Center's policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on actual or perceived race, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy), marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. The Agency also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories.