Employment

Current job opening(s): 1

Position Title: Director of Donor Relations (Development)
Normal Work Week: Monday through Friday
Normal Work Hours: 8am – 5pm
Location: 711 Cherry Street - Seattle, Washington
Reports to: Executive Director

Posted May 4, 2012
 

DIRECTOR OF DONOR RELATIONS

The Director of Donor Relations is an exempt position that strategically leads the organization’s Donor Relations Department to ensure all agency revenue goals are secured. Serves as a member of the agency's senior management team and reports to the Executive Director.

Responsibilities:
Develop, lead and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive and strategic funds development workplan and pacing schedule based on the approved objectives of the agency’s strategic plan and annual revenue budget and financial goals. Areas of responsibility include:

Funds Development:

• Create the annual Revenue Budget and Pacing Schedule.
• Create targeted efforts for each constituency group; individuals, foundations, corporations, volunteers, civic and religious organizations to ensure agency goals are met.
• Secure diverse types of support, such as in-kind goods and services, cash, sponsorships, stock, pledges, capital equipment gifts, planned gifts and grant awards.
• Ensure adequate funding for the various needs of the agency, such as capital needs, equipment needs, program needs and general operating expenses.
• On a monthly and ongoing basis, analyze the success of all funds development efforts by appeal categories, discuss with the Directors of Finance and Community Engagement and devise, update, and/or reforecast as needed for all activities to ensure goals are met.
• Review monthly dashboard reports on progress toward the goals and propose course corrections as needed to the Director of Finance and the Executive Director.
• Initiate and cultivate relationships with potential and current major donors for all types of constituents; arrange meetings between donors and staff and/or the Executive Director and/or Board members.
• Expand Northwest Harvest’s presence, seeking opportunities for funds development growth throughout the state of Washington.
• Serve as a key spokesperson and goodwill ambassador for the agency.

Staff Leadership and Supervisory Skills:

• Provide leadership to the Donor Relations Department team by creating goals, supervising activities, prioritizing workload, offering regular feedback, providing opportunities for training and growth, hiring as necessary, mentoring and inspiring the team, and conducting annual performance appraisals.
• Manage and collaborate with the Grants Manager in all efforts to maintain, cultivate and increase corporate and foundation support.
• Work with agency staff and board of director members to identify new sources of corporate and foundation support.
• Supervise the Database Coordinator and assure the strong management of the donor database (Raisers Edge) and the prompt, accurate acknowledgement and recognition of donor contributions.
• Manage and collaborate with the Donor Relations Manager and ensure moves management tools are kept up-to-date and relevant, ensuring all personal solicitation goals for major individual donors are secured each year. Also ensure that the annual major donor celebration “With a Little Help From our Friends” is well planned and executed so that donors feel appreciated.
• Review and edit written materials produced in the department.
• Coordinate the efforts of the department around the revenue pacing schedule to ensure all goals are met. Prepare and monitor the annual budget for the expenses of the department.
• Oversee the agency’s Speakers Bureau and ensure all volunteer speakers are trained and equipped to speak in the community on behalf of the agency.

Collaborative Efforts:

• Serve as a resource to Northwest Harvest's Executive Team with regard to funds development activities and goals.
• Collaborate with the Director of Community Engagement and work with Eastern Washington staff to devise and implement funds development activities in Yakima and Spokane while expanding Northwest Harvest’s statewide presence.
• Work closely with the Director of Community Engagement to explore the feasibility and value of new funds development tools such as e-philanthropy and fundraising events.
• Work with the Director of Community Engagement to develop strategies and engage current and potential donors in food drives and media events as a donor cultivation tool.
• Collaborate with the Director of Community Engagement to create Annual Report, quarterly newsletters and other marketing materials as needed to cultivate and educate donors, and raise levels of giving.
• Work closely with the Director of Community Engagement to devise a comprehensive communications, marketing, and public relations plan, including but not limited to integrating communications activities with fundraising objectives – most especially relating to The Feinstein Challenge, The Hunger Stops Here Challenge, holiday mailings, corporate appreciation posters and plaques, invitations to donor events, and new donor postcards.
• Work with specialized volunteer groups and committees to strengthen fundraising, including the Speakers Bureau.
• Attend Hunger Action Day in Olympia and champion hunger issues with staff when needed.
• As time permits, serve as a resource to Northwest Harvest’s network of partner programs on funds development activities, most especially capital campaigns.

Qualifications and Personal Characteristics:

• At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in the field of funds development with a successful track record of managing a large multi-million dollar revenue budget and securing six figure gifts.
• An organized and strategic approach with proven success in raising funds from individuals, foundations, corporations, civic and religious groups.
• Demonstrated ability to ask for and close gifts of five, six, and seven figures.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience in the full range of funds development strategies, including grant writing, major gifts and direct solicitation.
• Demonstrated skill in planning and implementing funds development strategies.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to act as a goodwill ambassador on behalf of Northwest Harvest as well as being comfortable speaking in front of large groups of people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Highly organized, multi-tasker who is self-motivated, organized, and has strong project management and time management skills.
• Strong leadership skills; demonstrated ability to successfully and collaboratively develop and lead the Donor Relations Team with a team-oriented approach that values the staff and treats them with respect and dignity at all times.
• Strong interpersonal and people skills; commitment to outstanding donor- centered customer service, with the ability to engage and build relationships with people from a wide diversity of backgrounds, cultures and faith based communities
• An ability to think strategically and execute tactically.
• Experience working in a non-profit setting with a mission-driven staff and board members.
• Experience cultivating and soliciting gifts from high ranking executives, the corporate sector and solid knowledge of cause-marketing.
• Experience working in a high producing team of professionals. Proven ability to create and maintain a collegial and positive, collaborative work environment.
• Ability to work well with a wide range of people, including volunteers, donors, businesses, clients and diverse religious and civic organizations.
• Ability to think creatively.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate programs and outcomes as they relate to the agency’s budget and the many ways it has to be presented to foundations.
• Candidate has existing relationships in the Puget Sound region and state of Washington with philanthropists from all constituent groups.
• Presents a high-degree of maturity, self-confidence, flexibility and positive attitude.
• Proficiency in all programs of Microsoft Office and Internet applications required; competency in Raiser's Edge or other donor tracking software preferred.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in the nonprofit sector required.
• Ability to keep up and stay current with fundraising trends and tools, to ensure the agency is well aligned to retain and grow donor base and support in the future.
• CFRE certificate or other certificate(s) relating to the nonprofit sector preferred.
• Valid Washington state driver’s license and access to a vehicle during business hours.
• Demonstrated commitment to hunger and/or poverty issues.

To Apply: Please send resume, two writing samples, and cover letter detailing your track record as a development professional and why you are interested in this position to apply@northwestharvest.org. Please put “Director of Donor Relations” in the subject of the email. This external posting closes on May 20th, 2012 at 5pm. Please understand that due to the high volume of applicants, phone call inquiries will not be able to be returned.

Compensation: Northwest Harvest offers a competitive salary and generous benefits.

Northwest Harvest is an equal opportunity employer and we are striving to build a staff that more closely reflects the population we serve.

Mission:

The mission of Northwest Harvest is to provide nutritious food to hungry people statewide in a manner that respects their dignity, while working to eliminate hunger.

Values:  

• we respect & honor the dignity of every person
• we practice careful stewardship of our resources
• we hold ourselves accountable to clients, donors and each other
• we foster the collaboration of individuals and organizations in addressing the issues of hunger.
• we embrace diversity in pursuit of our mission
• we are passionate about our work