Chief Development Officer

Note : Serious applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to hr@centralfloridazoo.org.

SUMMARY :

Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Development Officer will create and manage fundraising programs and institutional advancement for the organization, leading the strategy, implementation, and execution of Zoo's fundraising programs (including soliciting grants and corporate sponsorships, planned giving, annual giving, capital campaigns, etc.) and generating effective special events, identifying donor prospects, donor cultivation and stewardship, development communications (working with the Zoo’s marketing and communications team), and outreach efforts that serve its fundraising goals. The Chief Development Officer will manage and mentor a team of fundraising professionals while working with the CEO to build further upon Zoo's culture of philanthropy, both internally and among its supporters. The Chief Development Officer will serve as the Zoo’s representative at community events and with community organizations as needed. The Chief Development Officer will be responsible for the Development team achieving annual budgeted fundraising goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Manage a portfolio of donor prospects and lead efforts to develop and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each, ensuring plans are complete, strategic, sustainable, and effective. Direct activities include :

• Provide strategy and leadership for fundraising efforts, including capital campaigns, annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, soliciting gifts, corporate sponsorship, etc.
• Provide leadership and guidance for campaign operational strategy, management and processes, including timelines, objectives and metrics
• Ensure prospective donors have opportunities to engage with the Zoo in an innovative and meaningful way
• Create and lead efforts around cultivation, solicitation and stewardship events, visits, calls, letters, etc.
• Devise and implement a comprehensive strategy to solicit prospects based on their experiences with, and interest in, the Zoo, and their giving capacity
• Educate and engage key members of Zoo leadership and staff to ensure successful and impactful participation in donor activities
• Implement a successful, year-round corporate sponsorship program
• Achieve activity (calls, meetings, solicitations per month) and financial goals created on an annual basis
• Develop strategic funding requests based on immediate needs and long-term funding goals of the Zoo
• Engage, prepare and support Board members in their ambassadorship on behalf of the Zoo as necessary to carry out strategies
• Work with the CEO to identify opportunities and implement strategies to educate current and prospective donors about planned giving opportunities and solicit their participation.
• Identify new prospects from a variety of sources, including donor lists, prospect screening information, local publications, and conversations with existing donors and Board of Directors
• Identify current annual donors and pass holders who can make major gifts; design and implement appropriate strategies
• Generate and conduct effective and engaging in-person presentations to high-level audiences in support of Zoo projects and programs.
• Develop / prepare materials – including letters, proposals, meeting prep, stewardship reports, etc. – to support development strategies
• Develop / prepare materials – including contact reports, activity reports, etc. – to support the major gift program
• Manage and update contact information, plans, and actions in Virtuous CRM using identified protocol, complete timely and accurate call, and progress reports
• Ensure consistent and timely communication throughout Zoo Leadership Team, among Zoo staff as appropriate, and with the Board of Directors regarding prospect and donor contact and activity
• Work closely and collaboratively with representatives from across the Zoo to ensure marketing for development events and the annual pass holder / membership program are developed and implemented.
• Manage the Development staff, including but not limited to approving bi-weekly timecards, employee absentee requests, complete the initial employee performance evaluation, and team mentoring and training.
• Work closely and collaboratively with representatives from across the Zoo to ensure the annual pass holder / membership program's development, including setting annual benchmark goals, tracking, and ensuring retention strategies are implemented.

QUALIFICATIONS :

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

LANGUAGE and REASONING ABILITY :

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS :

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following have been identified as physical requirements of the job :

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description pertains to an "at-will" position with the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens and in no way constitutes a written or implied contract of employment.