Development Director

Friends of the Children – Tacoma is currently seeking an extraordinary professional to embark on a new career journey as a Development Director. The Development Director will execute the development strategies of the organization and ensure all development activities are consistent with the organization’s mission, vision, and values. This position works closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Development Committee, and together, they are accountable for revenue goals. 

The Development Director is responsible for partnering with the Executive Director and key volunteers to meet annual revenue goals and build the financial support needed, including grant writing, to meet our ambitious plan to serve as many children as possible. The ideal candidate will have a smart head for business, a creative spark, outstanding communication skills, and a soft heart for kids. He or she will be proactive, results-driven, and possess a sense of urgency while at the same time, looking to focus their entrepreneurial talents to make a real difference for children facing the highest risks. 

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: 

The Development Director is accountable for all revenue goals and is responsible for consistently monitoring progress and adjusting work plans to achieve goals. The Development Director is responsible for the successful identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and corporations with a significant capacity to give. This position works with the Executive Director and Board of Directors and is a liaison to the Board Development committee to ensure the organization has the resources it needs to accomplish strategic objectives. 

The DD is responsible for creating and monitoring systems and teamwork plans to ensure goals are met. The position is accountable for meeting all project deadlines, event timelines, and prospect generation plans. 

The DD is a member of the Friends of the Children – Tacoma leadership team. They will demonstrate a range of skills and abilities that strengthen the organization’s collective wisdom and 

experience and will contribute to strategic and operational planning, continued growth, and sustainability of the organization. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: 

Revenue Generation 

· Develop, implement, and sustain the organization’s major gifts programs, including the development and execution of strategies to ensure the effective and timely cultivation and solicitation of major donors and prospects. 

· Identify corporate funding sources; develop and implement a robust corporate cultivation and solicitation program that sustains current donors and expands to reach new ones, including senior business leaders. 

· Identify, evaluate, and provide research on individuals to use in advancing prospective major gift donor relationships. 

· Oversee all direct mail campaigns. Provide leadership for key messaging in alignment with other organizational messaging, and mailing lists are developed strategically. 

Leadership 

· Lead long- and short-term Development department planning, including strategic planning, budgeting, and revenue projections. 

· Model and ensure professionalism, hard work, and high ethical standards throughout the organization. 

· Catalyze the growth and continuous development of the Friends of the Children - Tacoma. 

· Manage the day-to-day operations of the development and marketing ensuring goals are met and development efforts are continuously improving to increase revenue and productivity. Ensure all deadlines are met for event planning and project management. 

· Actively participate as a member of the senior leadership team in leading the organization; participate in strategic planning and budgeting, and make, implement, and uphold decisions or policies related to the operations of the organization. 

· Work effectively with board and committee members to develop fundraising and marketing strategies and implementation plans. 

· Engage with the organization’s focus on equity; ensure equity lens is applied to decision making, public communication, and internal organizational structures. 

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities: 

· Strategic thinker, and the ability to research, design/develop, implement and sustain traditional and creative fundraising strategies and programs to advance the organization’s profile in the community and maximize resource development efforts. 

· Working knowledge and experience in the South Puget Sound philanthropic and business communities from which funding is to be raised; ability to cultivate and sustain relationships with these resources, including those at senior levels of both large and small organizations. 

· Growth mindset and focus on innovation. Commitment to helping Friends of the Children - Tacoma increase revenue every year to serve more children. 

· Demonstrated ability to articulate our mission and make persuasive and compelling presentations to all levels of prospective donors and members of the community. 

· Ability to cultivate and sustain relationships and work effectively with a wide variety of constituencies, including staff, program children, organizational supporters, current and potential donors, Board members, and community partners. Ability to represent, effectively and professionally, the organization to a wide variety of audiences. 

· Demonstrated ability to generate appointments, make the ask, and close a solicitation; demonstrated ability to exercise appropriate judgment and discretion while amid such meetings. 

· Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. 

· Outstanding organizational and time management, delegation, and follow-up skills. 

· Excellent customer service skills, demonstrated consistently, with all contacts. 

· Self-starter, motivated, and able to take initiative in all situations. Effective leadership skills; ability to influence and motivate. 

· Proven ability to solve problems, work in a team environment, and meet deadlines and budgets. 

· Some flexibility in schedule, with the ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for fundraising activities and networking events. 

Education and Experience Required: 

· Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred or equal experience in development and marketing. 

· Supervisory and staff development leadership experience. 

· Thorough understanding of the population of youth served by Friends of the Children - Tacoma, and the mission of our Program; experience with youth organization(s) preferred. 

· Proven experience securing significant, repeated major donor and corporate gifts. 

· Experience managing multi-platform marketing and fundraising campaigns. 

· Professional experience with social media and digital marketing. 

· General experience with eTapestry donor database, Greater Giving, and Basecamp software programs (or equivalent) preferred. WordPress and/or Craft CMS experience is helpful but not required. 

Friends - Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends - Tacoma provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local law. Friends - Tacoma hires and promotes individuals solely based on their qualifications for the job to be filled. 

To learn more about Friends of the Children - Tacoma, go to: https://friendstacoma.org/