Summary

The Chief Development Officer holds an active role as a member of the agency’s Leadership Team and is involved in spearheading the creation and execution of strategic plans to meet the organization’s yearly fundraising targets. The position requires overseeing critical elements of the Development program, including donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and managing a portfolio of major gift prospects.

Description

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Action Center, a highly respected nonprofit in the Denver Metro area, is poised for significant growth over the next three years. We are seeking a dynamic, results-driven Chief Development Officer to lead our team of four to six Development staff members and elevate The Action Center to new heights. You will collaborate closely with our Chief Campaign Officer, who is dedicated to a major capital campaign supporting our exciting expansion and impact initiatives. This is a pivotal time at The Action Center, and if you have the expertise to help us grow our annual budget from $5M to $7M or more, we invite you to apply and learn more about our vision and how you can contribute to this transformative journey. As the leader of the Development team, the Chief Development Officer ensures that the roles, responsibilities, and focus of annual giving team members are aligned with the objectives of capital campaigns, ultimately leading to the successful attainment of all fundraising objectives and the promotion of the organization’s mission. The Chief Development Officer holds an active role as a member of the agency’s Leadership Team and is involved in spearheading the creation and execution of strategic plans to meet the organization’s yearly fundraising targets. The position requires overseeing critical elements of the Development program, including donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and managing a portfolio of major gift prospects.

OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Create, implement, and oversee a strategic fund development plan to meet strategic plancgoals and objectives for annual and long-term financial viability and stability.
Effectively select, manage, coach, and assess the performance of Development staff tofoster a dynamic, fully engaged team to ensure fundraising goals are consistentlycachieved.
Ensure a comprehensive, annual grant strategy is in place, inclusive of new proposals,cgrant renewals, cultivation activities, correspondence, and reports.
Act as the Staff Liaison to the Board of Directors Development Committee.
Lead the Development team by implementing identification, cultivation, and stewardshipcactivities that strengthen long-term relationships with current and new donors.
Provide weekly, monthly, and ad hoc status reports to the Chief Executive Officer and Development Committee, including pending and successful solicitation efforts, actual-to-budget revenue goals, and other reports as needed.
Collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Campaign Officer to determine prospects for cultivation as well as identify and respond to potential new funding sources.
Directly manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors to raise five-figure gifts.
Make direct, face-to-face solicitations, and assist the donor relations team and the Board with their solicitations (e.g. provide caseload development support, strategic counsel, and assist with donor communications).
Create and manage the annual Development department revenue and expense budgets, and regularly review department expenditures and revenue projections to ensure alignment with the budget.
Collaborate with the Chief Campaign Officer & Chief Executive Officer to ensure alignment of capital campaign activities with the annual fund, planned giving program, foundation grants, special events, and other fundraising-related activities.
Assist with solicitations of capital campaign prospects as may be necessary.
Direct the creation and implementation of an effective digital and social media fundraising strategy and other key marketing and communications deliverables.
Provide leadership for all fundraising special events, solicitation of in-kind donations, and event sponsorships.
Ensure all funds raised are accounted for, donor information is accurately recorded in the donor database, secure controls are in place, and records are routinely reconciled with the Finance department.
Represent the agency in the community and establish strong relationships with other nonprofits, community organizations, churches, businesses, governmental bodies, and political leaders.
This position manages the Development staff, and will also be tasked with managing the current Marketing and Communications vendor, to include: goal-setting, performance evaluation, feedback and coaching, and professional development planning.
Serve as a member of the agency Leadership Team.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree or certification preferred.
Five years of nonprofit fundraising experience at a management level required; leading high-performing teams with a proven track record to secure individual and major gifts and meet objectives.
Must be a skilled fundraiser, an exceptional communicator, and a person who works collaboratively with and through others to achieve success.
Must work independently, be self-motivated in initiating contacts with prospects, and demonstrate successful navigation of prospect relationships.
Experience with all aspects of a Development department, including, but not limited to, annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, sponsorships, endowments, direct mail, corporate giving, donor development, grant funding, and marketing/communications.
Experience establishing department budgets along with a strong understanding of financial documents such as balance sheets and profit and loss statements.
Skilled in using all relevant and current technology, specifically donor databases, prospect research, and wealth-screening tools; Donor Perfect software familiarity a plus.
Must be organized, prepared, detail-oriented, and follow through on commitments.
Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrate professionalism and warmth when interacting with the donor community, staff, volunteers, partners & others with and the ability to compel others to action.
Must adhere to the highest ethical standards, demonstrate an empathetic disposition and perseverance, and convey sensitivity to the needs of donors. High level of discretion and ethical standards in handling confidential information.
Creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial mindset and leadership style.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work involves the normal physical activity associated with a Development department office environment which includes event related activities such as lifting and carrying as well as off-site set-up/tear down of tables and displays.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is generally performed in an office environment, but may include off-site events.
The Action Center’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on actual or perceived race, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy), marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. The Agency also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories.

Benefits

The budgeted salary range for this position is $110,000 to $125,000 and will be commensurate with the experience level of the chosen candidate. The Action Center is open to further discussion based on the candidate's experience and skill set if necessary and would encourage all interested and qualified applicants to apply. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings plans, paid time off, and other employee benefits.