Lead Development Officer

Lead Development Officer

Our Company:

Lions Tigers & Bears is dedicated to providing a safe haven for unwanted and abused exotic animals and to educating the public about the abuses of the exotic animal trade. Lions Tigers & Bears offers a wide range of programs and services including captive exotic and wildlife rescue, providing lifetime homes to rescued animals, educating the public about the abuses of captive exotic animals being used for entertainment/amusement, for canned hunts, and for the sale of body parts, and advocating for the regulation of private ownership of exotics. We are a sanctuary that allows the animals in our care to live out their lives with dignity in a caring and safe environment.

Position Summary:

The Lead Development Officer (LDO) is responsible for leading the fundraising activities of the organization, as well as supervising all development office activities. The LDO will supervise the daily operations of the development services team and suggest improvements or additions to services or processes, including establishing expectations, goals and developing new opportunities for growth.

The LDO works closely with LTB leadership to facilitate the implementation of strategic projects and initiatives in addition to providing oversight and support across disciplines (development, outreach, membership, customer service, and marketing/communications).

Fundraising

The LDO is the driving force behind fundraising efforts and is responsible for managing the fundraising department and overseeing all fundraising functions of the department. Responsibilities include managing the budget, managing staff or volunteers, creates effective strategies for maximizing donations, and keeps in touch with the Director/Founder, appraising her of the status of fundraising activities. The LDO has outstanding organizing and management skills.    

·        Work collaboratively with development staff to enhance fundraising efforts.

·        Works collaboratively with communications & marketing staff to enhance fundraising efforts.

·        Creates new and innovative plans and evaluates each fundraising activity to ensure a strong return on investment in staff time and cost of production. Prepares income and expense budgets for each activity to present to the Director/Founder along with recommendations as needed.

·        Refines fundraising plans to adopt strategies and campaigns that reflect the ideals of LTB.

·        Working with staff and volunteers, plan and execute all aspects of fundraising events such as Wild in the Country, the Christmas Party, Spooky Camp Over, donor recognition events and receptions, and assist with events booked by outside groups such as weddings and corporate meetings as needed. 

·        Meets with event vendors as needed to ensure quality materials and successful events.

·        Manages the organization’s grants program, researching and following-up potential funding opportunities, draft grant proposals and take responsibility for reporting on the use of grant funds and keeping the grant tracker worksheet up to date.

·        Work closely with communications and marketing staff to ensure appropriate donor and potential donor communications.

·        Developing strategies and setting goals to hit fundraising targets

·        Keeps in touch with existing donors and stakeholders

·        Maintain a flexible attitude and be able to adapt and change strategies to meet the needs of the organization and its donors. 

·        Communicate effectively and eloquently and be up to date on all LTB activities in order to engage donors and potential donors in meaningful conversation.

·        Works closing with the Gift Processing Coordinator to ensure the LTB’s donor database is kept up to date, contact notes are consistently maintained, that donors receive timely acknowledgements, and gifts are properly coded to ensure accurate reporting. 

·        Work closely with and provide appropriate direction and support to staff and volunteers responsible for event sponsorship and raffle/auction item acquisition.

·        Provides weekly and monthly update reports to the Director/Founder on fundraising successes and goal achievement.

·        Stays current with non-profit fundraising best practices and develops a good working knowledge of LTB’s development and gift processing policies and procedures.

Administrative Responsibilities:

·        Handle information of a highly confidential and sensitive nature appropriately.

·        Display deep understanding of Lions, Tigers & Bears’ mission, and be prepared to share information to strengthen awareness of animal welfare issues and the organization’s mission.

·        Interact with donors and other audiences as requested, ensuring positive experiences.         

·        Participate in meetings and special events (requires occasional evening and weekend work).

·        Participate in organizational strategic planning, and develop annual budgets (income and expenses) for each activity within LDO area of responsibility.

·        Willingly assist staff and volunteers in all programs and activities as needed.

·        Provides backup administrative support as needed, such as -- answer telephones, screen and route visitors and callers, maintain administrative files, coordinate mailings and data requests, order office supplies, etc. 

·        Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

The LDO provides leadership and coaching, ongoing performance feedback, addresses problems and manages employee performance for the development team.

·        Hire, train and supervise staff members. Working with staff, develops mutually agreed-upon goals and objectives, holds staff members accountable, identifies and suggests ways to develop skills, monitors workflow, and provides periodic evaluations. 

·        Approve employee timesheets before submitting to accounting, controlling schedules and overtime unless previously authorized.

·        Working with staff, develops written policies and procedures for each area that reports to the LDO. Update policies and procedures as needed.

·        Periodically work side-by-side with each direct report to ensure procedures and protocols are being followed. Make corrections as needed, and acknowledge a job well done to keep staff members motivated.

·        The LDO is on site for all special events as the key staff member overseeing the event.

·        Becomes familiar with and competent in utilizing LTB development software programs and analysis tools in order to manage budget and maximize fundraising income.

·        Ensure that LTB’s website is accurate with up-to-date information.

·        Coordinate with any outside contractors for social media, fundraising/grant writing, website maintenance, and others as assigned.

·        Perform all other duties as assigned.

Volunteer Services

Volunteers play important and critical roles and are an integral part of the LTB family. The LDO coordinates with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure that volunteer involvement is appropriate, recognized and appreciated. 

·        Works closely with the Volunteer Coordinator and LTB staff and volunteers to ensure that volunteers are being recruited as needed for all events, trained, properly managed, and are recognized and appreciated for their important contributions.

·        Working with Volunteer Coordinator, creates and updates volunteer job descriptions for each fundraising event.

Work Quality

·        All work is performed in a polished professional manner.

·        Keep abreast of fundraising and development best practices.

·        Use time wisely

·        Maintains confidentiality of proprietary, financial and donor information.

·        Understands LTB’s safety policies and procedures.

·        Engage as a team member/team player.

Qualifications:

   •     Bachelors degree, or a combination of relevant education and experience.

   •     3-5 years of fundraising experience with non-profit organization(s). 

   •     3+ years of supervisory experience preferred.

   •     High computer literacy a must; must be proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Windows and databases.

   •     Knowledge of Donor Perfect, a plus.

   •     Established problem-solving skills.

   •     Must be able to multi-task and adjust to frequently changing priorities.

   •     High degree of sensitivity to confidential information, accuracy and attention to detail is essential.

   •     Valid CA Drivers License with a clean driving record required.

Competencies:

·        Engagement

·        Initiative.

·        Leadership.

·        Time Management.

·        Decision Making.

·        Communication Proficiency.

·        Organization Skills.

Work Environment:

Lions Tigers & Bears is an outdoor animal sanctuary in Alpine. The person in this role is expected to walk throughout the property to interact with staff and work events. The person in this role will be exposed to diverse weather conditions and rugged terrain. Administratively, the position routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and the office is home to one cat.

Position Status:

This is a full time on site position. Evenings and weekends will be required. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice so flexibility is important.

EEO Statement:

Lions Tigers & Bears provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, disability, genetics, national origin, pregnancy, race, color, religion, sex or sexual orientation. In addition to federal law requirements, LTB complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.