Senior Director of Development
Senior Director of Development
Friends of the Children – Detroit is seeking an extraordinary leader to take our fundraising and marketing efforts to the next level as Senior Director of Development. The Friends’ innovative model is proven to break the cycle of generational poverty for children who face the highest risks and we have a recent opening in the Detroit chapter.
The Senior Director of Development will be relentlessly driven to advance the Friends’ brand, achieve best-in-class marketing to reach prospective donors, and increase the organization’s fundraising capacity (through donor stewardship, events, and grant writing).
The ideal candidate will have a smart head for business, a creative spark, outstanding communication skills, and a soft heart for kids. He or she will be proactive, results driven and possess a sense of urgency while at the same time, look to focus their talents to make a real difference for children facing the highest risks.
Here's what we have to offer you:
- Opportunity to work with an engaged, motivated Board that works hard, gives generously, and raises funds.
- Strong, cohesive National team support committed to innovation and high standards.
- A team of talented employees who are passionate about working together to create an extraordinary and impactful organization.
- Respect for work-life balance for yourself and others. You'll bring your full self to work and lead by example by integrating work and personal life with attention to self-care so that your work schedule is not depleting.
- A comprehensive benefit package
- Compensation commensurate with experience. 100K - $115K (salary/incentive)
Basic Function / Position Objective:
Our Senior Director of Development will be instrumental in accomplishing the fundraising goals of the chapter. They will work alongside our Executive Director, the Board of Directors with support from the Development and Program staff and in coordination with the rest of the Friends National network, to actualize the organization’s fiscal goals and values.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Passion for serving youth facing the most challenging situations
- Work effectively – with ED, Board, and independently -- to identify and cultivate donors including individuals, corporations and foundations
- Support the ED and Board of Directors with revising and implementing a development plan, systems and strategies as necessary to move our fundraising to the next level
- Supervise the development team, including but not limited to the Director of Marketing/Communications/Grants as well as the Development Assistant.
- Develop and implement a fundraising plan to increase annual fundraising efforts by 25 – 30% year over year for the next 3 years.
- Perform prospect research on individuals, corporations, and foundations evaluate prospects for corporate and foundation grants
- Demonstrate and create stewardship plan & processes for showing gratitude in timely, appropriate, and delightful ways
- Actively participate in aspects of planning, budgeting, and managing the growth and development of the organization through philanthropy
- In partnership with the team, plan and implement a minimum of two successful events each year
- Excellent organization, time management, delegation and follow-up skills
- Coordinate with ED and board on revenue targets and achievements
- Plan, coordinate and execute special funding opportunities (parlor/house parties, end-of-year-end appeal, Annual Report, etc.)
- Collaborate with Director of Marketing/Communications/Grants on a basic communications plan that will focus on educating and raising visibility for donors and prospects. This should include social media channels and electronic newsletters
- Familiarity with state, local, and national philanthropic, governmental, and business communities
- Ability to research, prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals and reports
- Make, and in some cases attend, appointments with/for ED with foundation officers and other prospects, arrange for onsite tours for supporters (foundation officers, foundation trustees)
- Prepare timely, specific, and relevant materials for development meetings and conversations
- Identify and utilize creative methods for gathering stories from Friends to be shared as appropriate
- Strive to ensure that organization’s commitment to equity is reflected in all decisions, communications, and processes
Essential Skills and Abilities:
- Be willing and able to attend and actively participate in team meetings, staff functions, and development events
- Possess commitment to extreme attention to detail, including but not limited to ability to implement self-checking procedures for data entry, produce accurate correspondence and reports, and produce and edit written materials accurately and consistently
- Have excellent project management and organizational skills to routinely manage and prioritize daily work and meet multiple deadlines simultaneously, especially during high-volume times of the year
- Demonstrate ability to work independently as well as in a team setting
- Have a passion for serving youth facing the most challenging situations
- Be a self-starter with high level of initiative and willingness to learn
- Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Be social media savvy
Required Education, Experience, and Abilities:
- Bachelor’s degree or 7 years equivalent experience required
- Provide specific evidence of success in fundraising
Preferred Experience, and Abilities:
- A minimum of five (5) years of direct fundraising experience working with individuals, corporations and foundations.
- Proven experience in increasing fundraising efforts year over year.
At Friends of the Children – Detroit you get to think globally and act locally. We are a new chapter within a growing established national network that provides professional mentors to thousands of children across the country. As the Senior Director of Development, you’ll receive expert support from our National team, which is in Portland, Oregon. You will also work with a talented team of leaders from the 28 other sites, who collaborate to support the award-winning National scaling plan.
Friends of the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices, and to working toward racial equity. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely based on their qualifications for the job to be filled.
Friends of the Children is growing rapidly as communities across the country are experiencing the power of how “One” changes a child's story: One Friend. One Child. 12 ½ years. No matter what.
#ThePowerOfOne https://friendsdetroit.org/how-it-works/power-of-one
To learn more about Friends of the Children Detroit, go to https://friendsdetroit.org/