Development Director

ABOUT PLAYWORKS, at Playworks we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We are changing the school climate by leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school every day. We create a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills by partnering with schools, districts, and after-school programs through services including digital engagement, on-site coaches, professional training for school staff who support play, and consultative partnerships.

ABOUT THE POSITION, in the role of Development Director, you will have both internal and external facing responsibilities, primarily focused on the execution of a comprehensive development strategy. You will be focused on new business development (foundation and corporate), as well as individual major donor relations. This position is based in Boston and reports to the Playworks Executive Director.More specifically you will have responsibilities in the following areas:

Business Development & Sustainability

• Work closely with the Executive Director, Regional Leadership Team & Development staff to chart Playworks New England's future growth and strategic response to an ever-increasing demand for the organization's programs and services
• Together with the Executive Director and Regional Development Team, design and execute an annual development strategy
• Identify, cultivate, and deliver significant gifts from a diverse base of supporters (corporations, foundations, individuals) working in collaboration with the staff leadership, local leadership and Board
• Deliver significant gifts particularly from individual and corporate donors
• Provide management and oversight of an innovative corporate sponsorship strategy
• Manage relationships with a major donor portfolio
• Attend, assist and represent Playworks at various key fundraising events/functions, speaking engagements, tours, and other programs
• Host program visits and seek new relationships in the philanthropic community
• Prepare regular reports on development progress against targets and work with the New England Executive Director and Regional Development Team to ensure revenue and fundraising targets are met

Board Partnership & Development

• Collaborate with the Board and New England Executive Director to create a fund development plan that increases revenues to support the strategic direction of the organization
• Leverage individual board members talents and connections to seek, secure and steward support. Support them in successfully reaching their give/get goals

Organizational Leadership & Staff Management

• Serve as a strategic thinking partner to New England and regional leadership
• Provide coaching, strategic guidance and critical feedback to staff, with a practice of mentorship, respecting the skills, strengths, contributions and challenges of individual team members
• Collaborate with Regional Leadership Team, development team, training team, program team and program coordinators to cultivate, develop and mobilize the Playworks network – stakeholders, volunteers, donors, etc.

Planning, Strategy & External Relations

• Cultivate and steward the local Playworks brand, ensuring consistent communications across the organization
• Manage development and communications calendar and lead quarterly and annual planning processes
• Work with staff to integrate assessment and evaluation into all organizational programs and initiatives

Administration & Operations

• Manage the development budget and work with the Executive Director to develop monthly reports
• Oversee local Salesforce implementation and database troubleshooting with staff
• Work closely with Development staff to ensure that all operational functions run smoothly

Required Skills & Experience

• Experience with direct solicitation required, experience within the New England region preferred
• Must be a collaborative and innovative leader, with an understanding of strength-based organizational culture, passionate about Playworks' mission and committed to education and health reform work
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust within a team, as well as lead group presentations
• Requires flexibility to readily adapt to a changing environment
• Strong knowledge of effective fundraising strategies including grant seeking, individual donor cultivation, corporate employee volunteer programs and event production
• Possess excellent organizational and analytical skills and the ability to multi-task and meet aggressive deadlines
• Proven track record of success in fundraising
• Tech savvy and familiarity with donor management/engagement systems and online social networks
• Flexibility to work nights and weekends as needed
• This position will require travel to various regional locations

Compensation & Benefits:

Playworks offers the full package - great benefits, a fun place to work and an opportunity to grow professionally. We offer:

• Competitive nonprofit salary commensurate with experience. This is a full-time exempt position that reports to the Executive Director.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) with employer match, life insurance, employee funded pre-tax health and child care spending accounts.
• Generous paid time off with paid vacation, sick and holiday leave.

This is a hands-on, creative, playful and fun-loving place to work, all while contributing to the success of our region's youth. So if you're ready to immerse yourself in the education sector, working on a rewarding set of challenges and if you've got the skills, experience, passion, and a team spirit, apply!
Please include:

• A cover letter describing your interest in Playworks, how your experience has prepared you for this role and salary requirements.
• Resume.
• References will be requested.

Playworks is changing the way children experience school every day by leveraging the power of safe and healthy play. We create a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills. Our ambitions demand that we invest in recruiting, developing and managing a team that reflects the broad diversity of our communities.

Our core values of inclusion, respect, healthy community and healthy play are the foundation of our organization and are infused in all aspects of our work, including recruiting and retaining the best talent we can. While diversity is often used in reference to visual characteristics such as race, ethnicity, age, sex and physical appearance, we embrace a broader definition of diversity that also includes less visible factors, We also recognize that individuals can affiliate with multiple identities.

As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of national origin, religion, gender, differing abilities (physical, mental, learning), sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, political affiliation, military experience, and any other legally protected basis. Playworks evaluates all candidates on a merit basis.