Chief Development Officer

Are you a Relationship Builder and Fundraising Strategist?

Chief Development Officer 

Job Summary: The Chief Development Officer, working closely with the CEO, will serve as the principal development and fundraising officer responsible for providing strategic planning to and management of Signal Centers’ fundraising efforts, including major gift solicitations, endowment building, planned giving, board interaction, special events and all related activities. This person will collaborate with the CEO, the Executive Leadership team and the Board to build Signal Centers’ resources, and stature in the community and build sustained relationships with donors and funders.

Supervisor:  Report directly to the Chief Executive Officer

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities:

•       Must possess a minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Marketing, Non-profit Management, Public Relations, Business or a related field. Master’s degree is preferred. CFRE designation a plus.
•       At least five years’ experience in the field of Non-profit Development increasing levels of responsibility, and a superb reputation among peers and co-workers for quality work, leadership and successful outcomes.
•       At least two years managerial experience that includes budgeting, management and staff development.
•       Proven experience with successfully managing annual giving campaigns, capital/major giving campaigns, grant writing, planned giving and endowment development is required. A record of successfully working with planned giving and building endowments is highly desirable.
•       Exceptional oral and written communication skills
•       Exceptional interpersonal and team building skills which includes building strong internal relationships as well as external ones.
•       Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office and Adobe applications. Demonstrated experience in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge desired
•       Must be a strategic thinker and advisor who can quickly assess the existing development program, identify opportunities for growth and create and implement plans for improvement.
•       Must have a strong understanding of and connections to the local community and a demonstrated record of successfully leveraging those connections for building long-term support for the agency.
•       Must be committed to the mission, vision and values of the agency and will adhere to a high standard of ethics.

Job Responsibilities: Responsibilities for the position include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Leadership

•       Actively work with the CEO, Development Staff and Executive Team to develop and implement an annual comprehensive development strategy and fundraising plan to include individual donors, corporate, foundation, and event sponsorships.
•       Regularly engage the executive team and the board of directors on progress of the development strategy and fundraising plan.
•       Oversee and research new funding sources, fundraising trends, and legal/political changes, with foresight, to help position Signal Centers ahead of major changes or trends.
•       Define a corporate partner strategy to engage additional supporters including volunteer opportunities for employees, sponsorships, cause-marketing, and corporate foundation grant making.

Fundraising

•       Ensures the fundraising plan has measurable goals, oversees implementation of that plan and reports on progress regularly.
•       Will oversee the continued development and maintenance of an accurate and complete donor database and will ensure the prompt and accurate processing of gift acknowledgements and donor recognition activities.

Development Activities

•       Liaison with the Endowment Committee of the Board, providing support for the chairs and developing materials to support the building of the fund
•       Will cultivate donor relationships encouraging existing donors to renew or increase their support and developing strategies for the cultivation of new donors.
•       Will build collaborative relationships with outside funding agencies, foundations and special interest groups.
•       Responsible for developing and maintaining active and productive relationships with board members
•       Develops fundraising training for board members, aiding them in carrying out their fundraising responsibilities.
•       Will focus on ways to build and grow the endowment and on approaching donors about planned giving.
•       Ensure professional development and mentorship to members the Development Team including volunteer fundraisers.

Special Events

•       Plans and coordinates special events and cultivates special event attendees who are capable or major gift support.
•       Directs staff and volunteers in the development of both new and ongoing events, ensuring that marketing and development strategies for each event are met.

 Other related duties may be assigned as the need arises.

Signal Centers is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to affirm the dignity and worth of every person in all that we do. It is, therefore, the policy of the organization to practice and ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all employees and to promote the full realization of this policy through all employment practices.