Title: Director Of Philanthropy
FLSA Classification: Salary Exempt
Department: Philanthropy
Reports to: CEO
Responsibilities:
An inspired and inspiring leader who sees the dedication of an organization in serving individuals, families, and children with autism as a significant and meaningful mission to support. As a member of the Institute’s senior leadership team, the Director of Philanthropy will create, execute and evaluate all philanthropy strategies with a donor-centered philosophy to ensure a diverse and sustainable revenue portfolio to support the Institute’s mission. The Director of Philanthropy also will create and effectively manage the organization’s annual communications and philanthropic plan to build a consistent brand and to develop and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders.
Job Duties:
- Create, execute and evaluate the organization’s philanthropy strategy.
- In concert with the CEO and Board of Directors, create a comprehensive philanthropy strategy and annual operating plan that promotes mission achievement and financial sustainability.
- Execute the organization’s philanthropy operating plan to achieve plan goals.
- Effectively steward all Institute donors and cultivate new potential partners.
- Make donor and potential donor appointments, calls and visits and solicit funds and other resources for the organization.
- Skillfully conduct “Ask” presentations to groups, individuals, and organizations.
- Plan and implement foundation, corporate and individual donor cultivation, stewardship, outreach events & activities.
- Successfully plan and execute annual Philanthropy Day celebration and/or annual drive.
- Act as primary staff liaison to board philanthropy advisors, appropriately task, and support board and CEO in achieving plan goals.
- Assist CEO in cultivating new philanthropically inclined and knowledgeable board members.
- Maintain a streamlined system for donor, foundation, corporate and potential donor records using in-depth understanding of databases, from the conceptual to the tactical.
- With Philanthropy Department staff, Program Enrollment, and Marketing support, maintain comprehensive donor records, coordinate funding requests, prep donor materials and maintain efficient development systems.
- Develop and maintain annual budget as it relates to philanthropy and communications.
- Lead and inspire staff and board to participate in philanthropic activities.
- Evaluate philanthropic strategy for the organization. Regularly evaluate philanthropic strategy and operating plan and make strategy recommendations to CEO and Board of Directors based on experience and a deep understanding of the organization’s strategic goals.
- Create and evaluate annual communications plan for the organization with measurable deliverables.
- With support of philanthropy staff and marketing department, execute plan, including production of quarterly e-newsletter, updating of website content, marketing special events, managing production of all print/electronic collateral and ads, coordinating all media outreach and social media for the organization, and managing staff working on the plan.
- Evaluate development plan at least annually and provide regular reports to CEO, Board of Directors and staff.
Skills Required:
- Bachelor’s degree and professional experience in philanthropy required, ideally in a rapidly evolving institution.
- Demonstrated ability to build a culture of philanthropy within an organization and to enthusiastically and successfully engage in one-on-one solicitation and ongoing donor stewardship.
- Comfort and facility with a wide range of philanthropic work, including solicitation and stewardship of individual, foundation and corporate donors, donors and potential donor cultivation and research, grant writing, and special events.
- A successful track record in executing on strategy, setting priorities, managing multiple projects and working effectively under pressure to achieve individual and organizational goals.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, reliable and flexible; thrives in a fast-paced environment; a driving force who manages toward clarity, finds solutions and is able to think strategically about the organization.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, an ability to listen to and balance, negotiate and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- A keen and developed visual aesthetic, which contributes to the Institute’s brand management.
- A consummate team player with a flexible, collaborative and creative approach who can lead from behind and empower teammates to contribute their best delivering excellence with accountability.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, WordPress, donor databases, web-based applications and use of the internet for research required.
- Keen interest in learning and developing as a professional, staying on top of best practice research.
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and a commitment to the Institute’s mission.
Qualifications:
- Previous successful experience as a Director of Development or similar position preferred.
- Must have strong business knowledge and experience with the ability to provide reports and analysis, develop and implement strategic plans within the context of a larger picture.
- Skill in planning, organizing, directing and coordinating a wide variety of activities, analyzing data, making sound recommendations and adopting effective causes of action; communicating effectively both in oral and written form.
EOE. To apply please email a cover letter and resume to hr@option.org.