Chief Development Officer At Emissa for Development

Position Summary :

We are seeking to hire a dedicated chief development officer to help us set direction and ensure the longevity of our organisation. The chief development officer will report to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will work with the senior management team, governing board, and staff to define the organization’s vision and direction. You will be responsible for planning and implementing strategies to secure donors and contributions in support of the organization, provide oversight of the fund development program, monitor development activities, and address issues that may hamper growth and success.

The successful applicant should have proven experience as a fundraising and organizational development specialist, with several years of management experience in a nonprofit organization or a similar environment. You must be motivated, have the ability to solve complex problems, and have a passion for philanthropy.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

General Development Strategy and Implementation (approximately 10% of time):

1. Develop annual revenue goals and plans to diversify and increase organisational budget through a comprehensive development strategy to include foundation and individual donors (major donor, smaller-level donors, online, etc.), as well as other appropriate sources.

2. Lead and engage senior management team, including Communications, in developing effective messages for new and broader donor audiences.

3. Support and mentor Executive Director, Board, Management, and staff in their development efforts.

3. Serve as a member of the senior management team. Foundations (approximately 60% of time):

1. Lead efforts to identify and secure new foundation support, including outreach and substantive presentations to prospective funders about Emissa’s current programs and future projects.

2. Coordinate, develop and track budgets for existing and proposed grant projects.

3. With the Executive Director, maintain and strengthen relationships with current foundation funders and cultivate new foundation donors.

4. Oversee the organisation’s grant and report writing, and coordinate the process with the Executive Director and relevant staff.

Individual and Major Donors (approximately 15% of time):

1. Lead efforts in identifying and securing new donors at all levels.

2. With the Executive Director, the Director of Strategic Communications, and other relevant staff, maintain and strengthen relationships with current donors to increase gift size, frequency and retention through donor events, social media, online and direct mail streams and informal communication.

3. Support Executive Director, Management and Board in their efforts to build and strengthen donor and prospect relationships and soliciting gifts.

Board Relations (approximately 5% of time):

1. Prepare development reports including plans, accomplishments and challenges for Executive Director in advance of board meetings.

2. Coach, support and encourage the Board’s development efforts.

Management and Administration (approximately 10% of time):

1. Create and maintain new fundraising database using standard development software (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, DonorPerfect, etc.)

2. Coordinate all development activities with staff and track progress against annual development work plan and calendar.

3. Supervise and mentor development/administrative assistant.

4. Manage and strengthen development processes and systems, including record-keeping, gift acknowledgments, renewals, mailings and calendar.

This position will require travel.

Qualifications:

1. Demonstrated experience in managing and implementing a successful, comprehensive fund development program and preparing an annual development work plan and calendar to achieve goals.

2. Preference for a minimum of 7-10 years of senior development experience.

3. Preference also for hands-on fundraising experience in the policy, research or democracy building arena. 4. Experience with coordination and preparation of project budgets preferred.

5. Demonstrated success in identifying and securing new foundation grants of five-figures and up.

6. Demonstrated success with generating increased funds from individual donors, both major donors and annual appeals, through a coordinated, strategic approach. Knowledge of planned giving and experience with online fundraising preferred.

7. Hands-on experience with one or more donor databases/software, such as Raiser’s Edge, DonorPerfect, etc.), as well as Microsoft Office suite and QuickBooks.

8. Demonstrated success in learning the details of an organization’s substantive work and applying that knowledge in drafting successful fundraising solicitations.

9. Demonstrated success in conducting initial outreach to prospective foundations/donors, arranging for organizational leadership to meet with prospective donors/foundations and successfully preparing them for those meetings.

10. Exceptional writing skills, especially for grant proposals, reports and related fundraising materials.

11. Ability to think creatively about how to effectively engage new donor audiences.

12. Strong oral communication, relationship building and “people” skills.

13. Track record of taking initiative and working independently.

14. Honed organisational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.

15. Direct experience working with nonprofit boards preferred.

16. Commitment to organisational mission and desire to learn the field.

17. Baseline certification in fund raising, the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive), or equivalent experience.

18. Ability to travel.

19. Bachelors’ degree or higher.