Director of Development

The Position

The Director of Development collaborates closely with the Co-Executive Directors and the Board of Directors to steward and build a growing number of foundation, individual and corporate donors at DreamYard, raising $5,000,000 per year within the context of an annual organizational budget of $7,000,000 (earned revenue makes up the difference.) The Director will lead a Development Department team of four, composed of two full-time Managers, one part-time Marketing Coordinator and an Event consultant.  The Director will:

• Oversee all fundraising campaigns and appeals (with day-to-day logistical support), including the annual appeal, donor stewardship events such as our Salon Series and Poetry Slam Finals, and events including the Annual Celebration;
• Support and guide the Executive Directors in establishing and cultivating relationships with major donors;
• Lead the development of strategies for cultivating and securing institutional and corporate partners as well as major donors, including the creation of pitch decks and proposals to solicit support;
• Serve as a key liaison to DreamYard’s Board of Directors, keeping them informed and engaged on a number of fronts including the cultivation of new donors and organizational ambassadorship;
• Create and manage the Development Team’s annual budget, tracking expenses through quarterly check-ins with Finance;
• Oversee digital communications, as well as printed media and brand assets, with the support from the Marketing Coordinator, and create and implement a yearlong strategy of communication that aligns with DreamYard’s mission and values;
• Manage three direct reports:  the Manager of Institutional and Corporate Giving, the Manager of Government Funding and Individual Donors, and the Marketing Coordinator; the Director will also manage an Event Consultant tasked with leading the annual DreamYard Celebration, which raises over $1,000,000 annually.  

The Director will serve as the Development Team’s representative on the DreamYard Leadership Team, and will: 

•  Participate in regular Leadership Team meetings and provide leadership throughout the organization as it relates to development, donor relations, and setting organizational goals aligned with DreamYard’s organizational mission, values, and commitment to racial equity.

Competencies


• A commitment to DreamYard’s mission and core values;
• Experience and demonstrated ability leading an effective annual development plan;
• Experience with raising a significant amount annually from a diverse set of funding sources.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal  and general communication skills;
• Confidence sharing DreamYard’s work and stories with Board members, donors and community partners;
• Demonstrated creative problem solving and strategic planning skills;
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to gracefully manage tight timelines, a fast-paced working environment and multiple projects concurrently.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with team members and volunteers to achieve organizational development goals;
• A strong attention to detail, especially in getting to know individual donors, their interests and connections to the organization;
• Strong leadership skills, with an emphasis on listening, empathy, collaboration and effective communication based on honest feedback and radical candor.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent;
• 5-7 years of development experience, including with individual giving, major donors, corporate or foundation fundraising;
• Working knowledge of special events;
• Knowledge of donor management systems and digital communications;
• Interest in the arts, race equity and youth development  

Compensation: 

The Development Director is a full-time hybrid, exempt position with a salary range of $105,000-$120,000 commensurate with experience. DreamYard offers an excellent benefits package, and generous paid time off.

To Apply

Please use the link below to submit a resume and DreamYard-specific cover letter.

https://dreamyard.hire.trakstar.com/jobs/fk0pzbd?source=Linkedin