Director of Development

Your Other Half is working with a non-profit organization that is accelerating the transition to a sustainable future by bringing governmental, business, academic, and non-profit perspectives together to address socio-economic and environmental challenges in the Midwest region of the United States.

Director of Development

As the ideal candidate, you are a self-starter and an engaging visionary with strong fundraising skills, particularly in the areas of strategic planning, relationship building, grant writing and reporting, and revenue development. You are both a compelling communicator and an effective mobilizer and motivator. You have worked in a non-profit, ideally within an international footprint. And you are familiar with raising money in organizations focused on environmental protection, social development, and economic research.

The Director of Development will be responsible for planning, implementing, coordinating, and managing the revenue and development strategies of the organization.

Reporting to the President and CEO and working closely with its Board Directors and growing Marketing & Communications and Policy & Programs teams, this is an ideal opportunity for a proven, fearless, and purpose/values-driven fundraising professional. 

Ideally, the successful candidate brings management experience, a desire to pursue big revenue goals, and aspires to be part of building a fundraising and development team over the next three years, and who shares a passion for sustainable development.

This role is a senior position within the organization and will be instrumental in the foundation’s future growth.

Responsibilities

Fundraising Leadership

• Work with the Board’s Development Committee, President and CEO, and program leaders to set and implement an organizational growth strategy.
• Cultivate ongoing relationships with foundations, corporations, and individuals to solicit the funds necessary to sustain the ongoing work of the organization.
• Create and carry out annual plans and income & expenditure budgets for all operational and program fundraising channels.
• Approve the selection of all vendors for the fundraising program and oversee the negotiation of service contracts; meet with vendors as needed
• Secure funding commitments from corporations as a priority focus, with the ability to also secure funding from government, foundations, and individuals including high net worth individuals.
• Set key performance indicators and benchmarks that will be tracked and reported on throughout the year; provide quarterly evaluations and reports to the management team and board of directors and adapt the strategy as needed throughout the year.
• Participate in, and when necessary lead, the development of partnership strategies by identifying partners and forging relationships to support the foundation’s core activities.
• Lead all fundraising processes, systems and tools to ensure they support the strategic objectives of the organization, promoting its vision, mission and values.
• Outline donor stewardship best practices and work with individual teams and staff to implement annual stewardship plans.

Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong external relationships with corporate foundations, private foundations, and family offices in the Midwest.
• Work with the Board’s Development Committee, the President and CEO, and program leaders to design highly effective engagement, solicitation, and stewardship plans & strategies.
• Provide stewardship contact points (calls, visits, mail) and make funding requests and thank donors as appropriate.
• Coordinate account management for key partners and funders to ensure relationships are managed internally and nurtured for long-term rapport.

Fundraising and Development Collateral

• Ensure the timely creation and distribution of fundraising collateral, including highly personalized proposals, stewardship materials, fundraising campaigns, and presentations with support from the President and CEO, the Board’s Fundraising and Development Committee, and marketing and communications staff.
• Leads or co-leads all aspects of event sponsorship for conference events.

Governance

• Participate in weekly internal meetings with project teams and other managers.
• In collaboration with the President and CEO and the CFO, adjust fundraising budgets (income & expenses) as needed.
• Attend all or a portion of Board of Directors and Committee meetings as and when required.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a senior fundraising role
• 3-5 years of demonstrated experience raising $1 Million - $2 Million per year with consistent year-over-year fundraising growth
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategically and create long-term and annual fundraising plans to drive growth in terms of income and donor numbers
• Demonstrated experience raising significant funds that support the program delivery and operations of a nonprofit organization
• Proven experience creating and tracking income budgets and developing investment budgets for fundraising expenses that maximize return on investment
• Excellent communication skills, ability to advise, effectively engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders
• Knowledge, training and experience in sustainable development
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and abilities including dealing constructively with conflict and the ability to work collaboratively and productively with team members 
• Strong project management and organizational skills, and the ability to work under pressure, managing multiple priorities and tight deadlines
• Proven skills in problem-solving, consultation, and negotiating with staff at all levels as well as highly discreet in managing sensitive matters
• Proven ability to work successfully with a diverse population
• Strong organization and time management skills, highly efficient and self-motivated in a remote work environment
• Fluency in Microsoft Office and experience using software for fundraising, such as Salesforce, and for project management, such as Monday.com.
• Has a high EQ with excellent relationship-building, awareness, and solicitation skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English (knowledge of French is an asset)

Education

• University degree in business development, sales, or other relevant disciplines from a recognized post-secondary institution, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with at least seven 5 years of senior fundraising experience in our region.
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation or another recognized fundraising certification.