Development Director

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Development Director

Summary
This position raises funds to support critical staff and grow the ministry across the assigned territory, which could be divisional or multi-divisional. This role serves Young Life regions and areas by raising operational, campership, legacy, and capital funds (domestically and internationally) and by achieving sustained financial health for the assigned territory.

Essential Prerequisites for all staff members (from Young Life's Bylaws – Article VII):
"Because of Young Life's exclusive Christian purposes of evangelism and discipleship as set forth in its Articles of Incorporation and in these Bylaws, and to reflect what has always been and will continue to be the position of Young Life, specifically the Christian belief that
each and every employee and volunteer of the corporation should minister as a servant of God with the primary responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and, as such, is an integral part of the Christian mission and ministry of the corporation
, Young Life shall only employ individuals or enlist volunteer leaders who: (a) profess a belief in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord; and (b) subscribe to the statements and policies required of all Young Life staff, including the Young Life Statement of Faith. Therefore, employees and volunteers of Young Life, during working and nonworking hours, shall: (i) be ready, willing and able to fulfill such ministry functions as may be required by the organization; (ii) refrain from conduct and statements that detract from the biblical standards taught and supported by Young Life, and (iii) abide by all policies and practices of Young Life including, without limitation, those related to religious belief or ministry activities."

Development Leadership

• Identify, cultivate, grow and develop mission partners who will give energy and resources to fundraising needs across the assigned territory, which could be divisional or multi-divisional.
• Actively participate in team meetings and team initiatives, as a servant leader and team player.
• Develop a plan to achieve fundraising goals, and review revenue/expenses regularly with leadership.
• Take primary responsibility for managing and achieving an annual revenue goal, including all fundraising channels (e.g., camping, sponsorship, ministry expansion, legacy giving, major gifts, etc.).
• Expand country sponsorship, staff sponsorship, and regional team(s) for long-term sustainability.

Spiritual Leadership

• Model Jesus-led, Bible-based fundraising principles.
• Care for donors – both practically and spiritually.
• Visit and speak to local churches and international supporting churches.

Direct Development

• Maintain a Christ-like presence as a spokesperson and ambassador for Young Life, representing all aspects of our ministry in a positive way to staff, visitors, volunteers, donors, and external groups.
• Create a plan to originate new major gift relationships, and cultivate and solicit gifts at the major gift level.
• Create a plan with specific monthly goals for cultivation (at least 50+ assigned donors).
• Through existing donors, personal contacts, networking with friends, attendance at appropriate events, and speaking opportunities, find new donors, introduce them and add them to caseload on a regular basis.
• In partnership with Prospect Research and Analysis, conduct research on both existing and new caseload donors and set realistic annual goals for their contributions.
• Establish, maintain, and execute a consistent stewardship plan with donors using personal notes, emails, stories, testimonies, small events, vision trips and volunteer opportunities.
• Establish an engagement strategy for mission partners to invite givers further into the ministry and maximize their potential through ministry partnership.
• Ensure that all donor contact is recorded in the donor database (YL Connect).
• Build relationships with field staff and partner with them accordingly, to grow major donors and ensure personal connections and stories.
• Seek educational growth opportunities and maintain professional relationships with peers in other organizations.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Plan

• Coordinate closely with leadership on strategic campaign planning and execution elements.
• Carry out the individual plans and initiatives as defined by leadership (from initial launch to completion of campaigns).
• Partner with Field leadership and Development leadership to coordinate major donor engagements throughout regions and participate when appropriate.
• Coordinate with the Development Department for international major gift asks.
• Coordinate closely with the all development and coordination teams across the mission and in the assigned territory on division-wide donor initiatives.
• Work closely with the Field leadership and Development leadership to provide quality follow-up, reporting, and accountability on all major gifts, including accountability on matching funds.
• As a part of the Development team, coordinate closely on division-wide initiatives for integration into the overall development efforts underway.

Reporting and Evaluation

• Work with leadership on key metrics for success, with buy-in from the Regional Directors.
• Set-up monthly calls with the Field leadership and Development leadership to foster close connection.
• Implement a regular reporting product for staff and donors that covers how major gifts have been distributed through the regions and how that investment has paid off.
• Participate in regular evaluation process with the Field leadership and Development leadership.

Working Conditions
Remote work; travel up to 25%.

Education
Bachelor's degree preferred.

Qualifications Required For The Job

• Minimum of five (5) years' experience of demonstrated success cultivating high-capacity donors and generating substantial annual revenue.
• Comfort and experience asking donors for financial and personal involvement.
• Knowledge of development best practices and YL Connect (Salesforce) CRM technology is preferred.
• Exceptional leadership ability to positively impact strategic and tactical major gift program.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationship and partnership across organizational lines.
• Solid, visible relationship with Christ, evidenced by a heart for God, yielding a genuine, deep love for others.
• Relationally-driven and possessing strong interpersonal and networking skills.
• Extensive Young Life knowledge is preferred.
• Able to effectively manage development operational aspects.
• Able to work effectively with all field staff and their supervisors.
• Able to work effectively as a team member with the Development support teams across the mission.
• Proven cross-team collaboration and communication excellence skills.

Job Specific Working Conditions
The anticipated salary. for this position can range from $71,397-$97,569.50 depending on relevant education, experience, and location.