Director of Advancement

Position: Director of Advancement

Location: Divisional Headquarters Development Department, 701 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA

Availability of Position: Immediate

Schedule: Full-Time; 40 hours per week, evening and weekends may be required

Reporting Relationship: Divisional Commander

Salary Grade: 21 Exempt

The Salvation Army is hiring and offers truly excellent benefit package to eligible employees including:

• Generous paid time off every year that includes: holidays, up to 3 personal days, vacation time and sick time.
• Employer funded Pension Plan (company contributions begin after 1 year of employment)
• Comprehensive health care coverage with low cost employee premiums, co-pays and deductibles
• Eligibility for supplemental insurance plans including Short Term Disability, AFLAC and Voluntary Term Life
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Remitted Tuition Program
• Eligibility for the Federal Government’s Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Most importantly – a job with a good purpose!
  
  
  

For more information about The Salvation Army of Eastern PA & DE go to: https://pendel.salvationarmy.org/easternpa

Position Overview: The Director of Advancement (DoA) has the responsibility to successfully lead all elements of the Divisional Development Department, including fund raising (major gifts, planned-giving, direct marketing, digital fund raisings, corporate giving, foundation grants), public relations, marketing and advertising, social media, volunteerism and board engagement. The DoA is an essential part of the Leaderships Team and leads all strategies to advance The Salvation Army as much as possible through annual support and breakthrough gifts, capital and endowment campaigns, philanthropic planning (planned and estate gifts), as well as through awareness-building, brand positioning and leadership networking. The DoA works cooperatively with the Territorial Director of Advancement and Territorial Community Relations and Development (CRD) staff to adhere to and implement Territorial CRD programs and practices and policies (e.g. major gifts planned-giving, donor data management, direct mail and digital.)

Responsibilities

Description of Position:

• Manages the overall operation of the Divisional Community Relations & Development department, supervising key functions and staff within the department, including the following areas: direct mail, donor data management, social media, digital fund raising, public relations, advertising and marketing, special events, corporate giving, foundation grants, advisory boards, United Way relationships, major gifts, gift planning, capital, operational and endowment campaigns, etc.
• Establishes and manages an annual development plan, as well as department and function-specific activity goals, gift production goals, strategic plans, planning calendars, budgets and other essential management activities in sync with divisional leadership, submitting regular reports as requested and monitoring progress with staff, adjusting as needed to maximize success.
• Creates an effective department team atmosphere which encourages cooperation, strategic thinking, regular communication, professional growth, creativity, and instills healthy accountability for advances in resource development for, and awareness of, Army mission.
• Works with each member of the community relations and development team, as well as volunteers and consultants, as appropriate, to lead the development and implementation of strategies that significantly advance the Army through each function as outlined above, especially in the areas of campaigns, major and planned gifts, and public relations / branding.
• Works with team members and THQ CRD on planning and implementation of a strong direct / integrated marketing plan throughout the year and throughout the division as a foundation to all fund-raising efforts and constituent communications.
• Contributes professionally as an essential participant on the divisional leadership team, under the direction of the Divisional Commander, and collaborating with leadership, to advance the mission of the Army through development work, effective planning, communication, and facilitation of leadership involvement, as appropriate, in select PR and fund-raising activities.
• Serves as the Chief Development Officer and primary staff liaison to Divisional, as well as the various county Advisory Boards, alongside officer leadership, deploying staff as needed to effectively manage and support successful board communications, meetings, committees, events and projects.
• Works with the Advisory Board and officer leadership to ensure best practices in board recruitment, orientation, standards, goal-setting, committee work, fund raising, and member engagement.
• Supports and coaches other officers for effective Advisory Board management and engagement in other areas of the division.
• Facilitates officer and volunteer leadership involvement in major gifts approaches (individual, corporate, foundation) for successful fulfillment of annual support, special projects, programs and capital / endowment needs in synch with the Associate Director of Major Gifts (THQ position) and Donor Relations Directors and other related development staff.
• Leads or supports successful planning and execution of capital operations and endowment campaigns, working with consultants and leadership volunteers, as needed, along with internal leadership, development staff and other key stakeholders (e.g. Associate Director of Major Gifts and Territorial Prospect Research Manager).
• Along with the divisional CRD team, works with corps and social services program leadership to support the achievement of their resource development and public relations goals, coming alongside to support planning, to coach, and to help implement as feasible (e.g. grants development).
• Models and leads strong stewardship communications practices throughout the department with all categories of constituents (e.g. board members, major donors, planned givers, regular contributors, volunteers, media, philanthropic decision-makers, etc.), ensuring relationship management approaches are in place that earn the right to ask and which inspire future giving through regular reports about the impact of gifts in people’s lives through Salvation Army programs.
• Accesses research and data as a basis for charting directions, measuring progress, benchmarking against other divisions and organizations, monitoring trends, and identifying, qualifying, rating and developing strategies for approaching prospects for leadership and planned gifts.
• Manages and fulfills a communications and solicitation plan for a select and limited list (15-20) of leadership donors and prospects (e.g. key board members), developing personalized engagement strategies to effectively steward, educate, cultivate and solicit gifts from these donors each fiscal year. The DOA works to develop and implement the plans, taking a team solicitation approach when necessary, and seeking feedback from internal (DC, territorial CRD) and external (board volunteers) leadership, as appropriate.
• Works cooperatively with other territorial CRD professional staff to develop and implement the territorial major gifts program and management structure, program standards, and business practices and policies, and does the same with other territorial initiatives / programs (e.g. gift planning, donor data management, PR protocols, email marketing, direct mail, etc.).
• Supports the Major Giving program’s efforts to help major gifts and gift planning staff to develop team strategies for peer-to-peer cultivation and solicitation approaches, involving leadership volunteers and internal leadership, as deemed appropriate, based on identified peer networks and prospect research / strategies.
• Supports staff to develop research and briefing memos in preparation for team discussions.
• Ensures fund raising staff avail of the prospect research manager at THQ and any local staff who are trained to do research to develop donor profiles to inform “moves management” strategies and planning conversations.
• Communicates regularly with and works collaboratively with territorial major gifts management staff to ensure a strong major gifts program at the divisional level, in accordance with the territorial major gifts program standards and protocols.
• Works in close collaboration with officers, program, finance and development staff to develop a portfolio of giving opportunities (cases for support) that documents funding needs in terms of real program costs, how dollars impact people, outcomes being achieved, shortfalls and mission advancement opportunities.
• Supports and/or works with team to present opportunities to donors to effectively match donor interests with Army needs.
• Ensures adherence to fiduciary responsibilities (donor intent with gifts) in sync with finance and program staff.
• Keeps leadership apprised of all significant interactions with leadership donors and prospects and board leaders, consulting with leadership when needed to understand organizational priorities, to develop strategies that benefit both donors and the Army, and to troubleshoot challenging situations.
• Stays driven toward goals and ensures a cohesive, comprehensive development strategy that effectively incorporates all disciplines.
• Participates in professional training and territorial / national meetings and conferences, as budget allows.
• Works cooperatively with territorial CRD leadership and staff on various initiatives and in keeping with territorial policies and CRD programs.
• Ensures a strong office management and donor data system infrastructure is maintained, including continually updated donor files, reporting systems, batching of income / donor information, attentive correspondence and timely gift acknowledgments, etc., in keeping with department policies and procedures.
• Ensures adherence to all divisional and territorial business practices and policies.
• Ensures excellent customer service is provided to donors through accessibility to staff and leadership, timely responsiveness, quality in all interactions and personalized communications.
• Supports a strong annual Christmas kettle campaign across the division through corps training, communication of corporate agreements and stipulations, support for volunteer recruitment and training, gathering of reporting information, approaches to locally headquartered retail chains, media kick-off events that achieve high quantity media impressions, etc.
• Works with staff and leadership to develop a strong public relations, events and brand positioning program that enhances public awareness, increases positive exposure to the Army, targets key audiences, communicates key messages at every opportunity, and strengthens the Army’s competitive positioning among the non-profit community.
• Perform related duties, as assigned.
  
  
  

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the candidate will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope of the post.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have extensive experience in working with The Salvation Army on various fund-raising levels.
• A. required, advanced degree preferred. CFRE or ACFRE certification advantageous.
• 10 years of successful fund raising across a range of development disciplines, with a demonstrated track record in designing and leading major fundraising and campaign efforts in the $50 million range.
• Experience in establishing effective relationships with all levels of corporate and philanthropic leaders.
• Exceptional verbal, written and organizational skills.
• Excellent leadership qualities and ability to recruit, manage, and inspire a team of exceptional fundraising and communications professionals.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, to establish and adhere to deadlines, and to effectively manage and solve crisis situations for positive outcomes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in fundraising, board engagement and communications (marketing and public relations).
• Ability and commitment to learn and support the mission, policies and practices of The Salvation Army.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office tools and familiarity with donor management software and email applications.
• A leader who enjoys problem solving, thinks strategically and creatively, is goal-oriented and takes initiative with good follow through.
• Effective interpersonal, conversational and presentation skills, demonstrating professional maturity, emotional intelligence, situational awareness, excellent writing abilities and strong case development and gift solicitation skills.
• Proven expertise in developing and maintaining positive relationships with diverse individuals, including executives, leadership volunteers and wealthy donors, as well as internal stakeholders and officer leadership.
• A good manager who demonstrates a strategic mindset, balancing attention to analysis, details and metrics with higher level goal setting and planning, without micro-managing.
• A fund raiser who is comfortable with direct leadership donor and volunteer interactions, who models good stewardship communication practices, and who is able to effectively ask, lead the gift conversation, network for connections, facilitate a team approach and rally others who can open doors.
• A team leader, able to check ego at the door, with an ability to effectively motivate staff, officer leaders and key volunteers to collaborate for the successful achievement of department and organizational goals.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly, within the Division as well as outside of the Division. for conferences and meetings as needed.
• Must be willing and able to travel, as well as have valid driver’s license with approval to drive a Salvation Army vehicle is required.
• Willingness and ability to work extended, weekend and holiday work hours as needed to fulfill position responsibilities (eg. events).
• Able to work independently in a fast-paced environment without extensive admin support.
• Must be computer-proficient, highly organized and able to effectively manage multiple projects and competing priorities with professionalism and grace.
• As a Mandated Reporter, must provide proof of having completed training on recognizing and reporting child abuse meeting the training standards of PA Act 153 of 2014 within 30 days of employment with recurrent training required every five years thereafter.
• Meet the Child Protection Clearances required by PA Act 153, including the PA Child Abuse History Clearance, PA State Police Criminal Record Check, and FBI Criminal Record Check.
• Must possess an understanding of and support the mission of The Salvation Army.
  
  
  

Contact: Please submit your resume and cover letter as instructed below.

External candidates interested in this position please apply online at http://careers.salvationarmy.org. Internal candidates interested in applying for this position please apply at http://internal-usesalvationarmy.icims.com.

No Phone Calls Please.

Released by the Divisional Human Resources Department on March 26, 2025

Requisition No. 2369

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All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

The Salvation Army will not hire any applicant for employment if the criminal background check reveals a conviction (or a guilty plea or plea of nolo contendre ) for any sexual or violent crime. This policy is intended to help ensure safety in Salvation Army workplaces.

The Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination .