Senior Vice President of Development & Engagement

Senior Vice President of Development & Engagement

Department: Fund Development

Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Location: Seattle, WA.

Pay Rate: $180,000-$200,000

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

FareStart has been helping people transform their lives through food for 30 years — one person, one job and one community at a time.

People experiencing poverty struggle to escape the cycle they are in and often face other compounding barriers to getting and keeping a job. At FareStart, we help people overcome barriers by teaching work and life skills needed to succeed in employment and in life. By investing in people, providing meals and building community, we transform homelessness, hunger and poverty into human potential.

OUR VISION

Every individual has the opportunity to thrive in an equitable and just world.

OUR MISSION

FareStart transforms lives, disrupts poverty and nourishes communities through food, life skills and job training.

OUR VALUES

• Acceptance: We build relationships based on the belief that the past informs but does not dictate the future.
• Respect: We treat everyone with dignity, regardless of background or differences. We actively listen and seek first to understand.  We are honest, even when it is difficult.
• Openness: We create a culture of trust through transparency and open communication. We are open to new ideas.
• Collaboration: Contribute positively to strengthen the organization and our impact through teamwork and through partnerships.
• Accountability: We are responsible to each other, to our community and ourselves. We are committed to rigorous evaluation and making fiscally responsible decisions that align with our mission.
• Inclusion: We provide a community of belonging, regardless of background. We value and seek out diversity.
• Growth: We are a learning organization.  We invest in continuous improvement and growth.

ABOUT THE POSITION

This position plans, develops, and maintains a comprehensive private and public sector fund-raising program on behalf of FareStart, enhancing the mission and vision established by the Board of Directors.  This position oversees all aspects of the organization’s communications, marketing, volunteer engagement, and data management strategies. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Identify, define, and acquire funding resources available to FareStart both private and public.
• Work with the CEO, staff, and Board of Directors to facilitate short and long-term strategic plans.
• Design and implement and/or maintain a structured fund-raising program as an aspect of the organization’s overall program and as economic resource development in keeping with organizational goals.
• Work collaboratively with senior leadership and staff to identify avenues of economic support for programs/projects and use data to inform decision making and keep stakeholders informed.
• Strategically seek new corporate/foundation funding sources and maintain relationships with current/past donors.  Represent the organization in meeting with potential public and private funding sources.
• Responsible for maintaining close working relationships with the Board of Directors and active, ongoing, and smooth functioning of this Board as it seeks to increase private and public sector funding for the organization.
• Oversee the organization’s strategies for data, marketing, communications, and volunteer engagement, including the data collected, tracked, and analyzed. 
• Manage and oversee direct reports as well as oversight for the department including all down-level reports. 
• Oversee departmental budgets. 
• Ensure that departmental decisions and project plans are in line with FareStart’s business plan and vision.
• Oversee contracts of outside consultants specific to the Development, Communications, & Engagement department.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy and volunteerism aligned with the department strategy and the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
• Maintain accountability ensure compliance with all regulations and laws, as well as the code of ethics for fundraising professionals. 
• Maintain ongoing communications with staff regarding programs and plans.
• Oversee strategy for communication and information flows to necessary stakeholders, both inside and outside the organization.
• Oversee compliance with federal, state, local, and organizational laws, regulations, guidelines, and best practices. 
• Maintain knowledge about the external environments as it relates to organization programs.
• Participate in board meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At FareStart, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and fifteen (15) or more years of experience in nonprofit fundraising or corporate business development; and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five (5) or more years of experience managing and developing teams. 
• Demonstrated experience managing fund development campaigns including capital campaign oversight and proven success. 
• A record of successfully creating large scale partnerships or significant revenue generation.
• Strong interpersonal, decision-making, and leadership skills. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, particularly Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams. 
• Demonstrated effectiveness managing diverse stakeholders including, but not limited to, executives, employee groups, external vendors, and consultants.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with excellent communication skills.
• Ability to display sensitivity, tact, and responsiveness in various situations and maintain a high level of confidentiality. 
• Ability to listen, give and receive feedback in a productive and professional manner. 
• Ability to translate vision into planning and implementation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt communication based on audience and purpose with inclusivity.  Ability to disseminate information effectively to appropriate levels.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and requests and meet deadlines in a professional manner.
• Ability to evaluate problems and effectively solve them in a timely manner.  Ability to respond to concerns with empathy and inclusivity.  Respond appropriately to conflict. 
• Ability to delegate responsibilities, work with others, and coach employees to develop their full potential. Provide helpful, behaviorally specific feedback to others.  Regularly meet with employees to review their development progress and express confidence in their abilities to be successful.  Engage in open and honest communication.  
• Ability to anticipate needs and challenges, take initiative, ask questions, and provide solutions to achieve organizational objectives. 
• Ability to work a non-standard/flexible schedule, which may include weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• This position is exposed to a typical office environment. 
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• There may be a combination of remote work and onsite work dependent upon business needs.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• This position may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit.  The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, or crouch.

BENEFIT HIGHLIGHTS

• Competitive pay based on experience and qualifications
• Paid time-off (5 weeks first year of employment)
• Paid holidays, including up 2 floating holidays
• 401(k) savings plan with company match
• Medical (including vision), Dental, Disability, and Life Insurance
• Employee discounts at FareStart retail social enterprises
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free ORCA pass

Why Should You Apply?

• Be part of our mission to disrupt poverty.
• Join a supportive, respectful, and celebratory community among our staff, students, board, and volunteers.
• Organizational commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
• FareStart encourages the personal and professional growth of its employees.

For information on FareStart, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at: www.farestart.org/about

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity

FareStart is committed to becoming a fully inclusive, antiracist, diverse organization.  To fulfill our mission, vision, and values we are seeking candidates who demonstrate shared values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.

Our Commitment to Anti-Racism

FareStart defines antiracism as the clear acknowledgment that racism permeates organizations, communities, and industries, including our own. We recognize that we have a duty to be vigilant in addressing and confronting racism in how we make decisions, show up in our communities, build business practices and policies, and engage in intentional partnerships and philanthropic endeavors to fulfill our mission and vision.

Salary : $180,000 - $200,000