Chief Development Officer
Our client, Food Gatherers, exists to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in our community.
Under the direction/guidance of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Development Officer will create, implement, and manage the processes and structures needed to grow the solid base of funding already established and sustain the financial capacity of Food Gatherers. In addition, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) is responsible for providing leadership and inspiration to the Development team to achieve fundraising goals that ensure sustainable programming and operations at Food Gatherers. The CDO evaluates current fundraising processes and creates efficient, best practices and strategic plans for implementing diversified fundraising programs. In collaboration with staff, the Board Development Committee, and the Board, the CDO creates and implements multi-year fundraising strategy and goals; establishes annual resource development goals; and, leads a diverse annual giving program. They will have direct responsibility for major gifts, planned gifts, foundation cultivation, and stewardship with supervisory oversight of annual campaigns, events, and communications.
The Qualified Candidate
Food Gatherers seeks a strategically focused development professional. The successful candidate will have proven experience managing a development department and prior success with individual and major gift solicitation. The selected candidate will be goal-oriented, collaborative, and a strategic thinker.
Specific requirements include:
Experience
- Five or more years of progressively responsible development experience at a senior fundraising level in a non-profit setting with a proven track record in building individual, corporate, foundation, capital, and/or endowment programs
- Proven experience supervising and mentoring a high-performing team
- Experience working with a volunteer fundraising board
- A passion for working with causes related to food security and nutrition
- Demonstrated commitment to the fundraising profession through involvement in organizations such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Rotary, or other similar organizations
Competencies and Attributes
- A confident and down-to-earth leadership style and presence
- A strong ability to collaborate with staff, volunteers, and other community members
- Demonstrated ability to identify, cultivate, and solicit major donors and planned gift prospects
- Ability to exercise a high degree of judgment and diplomacy as well as maintaining the highest integrity and ethics
- Strong interpersonal skills and comfort with the philanthropic community and major donors
- Solid, persuasive verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver inspiring and succinct presentations and conduct productive meetings
- Demonstrated ability to build a diverse team and effectively manage, motivate, and mentor staff
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively
- Strong business acumen; decision-making skills; ability to set priorities; process and project management skills
- A preference, though not essential, will be given to candidates with knowledge of and experience engaging with stakeholders in Washtenaw County
