Director of Development

at  College Success Foundation

Our Mission: We coach and support students from low socioeconomic backgrounds to prepare for and graduate from college as transformational leaders in order to forge a just and equitable society.
College Success Foundation believes in respecting, upholding, and reflecting diversity and is committed to becoming an anti-racist organization. By leading with equity, and utilizing an anti-racist lens in our work, we center diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. We believe students win when we have a high-performing culture that is committed to eliminating barriers to student achievement. Our passion is fostering educational equity, making college accessible and affordable to underserved students from low-income families.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Director, Development is responsible for contributing to College Success Foundation’s (CSF’s) overall fundraising revenues through major gifts, corporate fundraising, special events, broad-based donor development and other projects consistent with the mission and values of CSF. The Director will work directly with the Executive Vice President, CSF leaders and team members to develop and coordinate development programs. The Director will work closely with programs and regional site directors to meet revenue goals for the organization. Primary responsibilities include securing major gifts; leading members of the development team; and creating, planning, implementing, and measuring comprehensive fundraising strategies for the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

The items listed below are the minimum requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values both work experience and education and realizes that individuals take different paths to acquire knowledge.

• Minimum eight (8) years of relevant professional experience including fundraising, events, institutional philanthropy, and non-profit board development.
• Minimum five (5) years prior supervisory or management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree.Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Experience securing major gifts.
• Experience with event management, institutional philanthropy and strategic planning.
• Exceptional organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to plan strategically, think creatively, and build long-term relationships with donors.
• Ability to work collaboratively on cross-functional teams with integrity and professionalism.
• Demonstrated self-starter, highly motivated and detailed oriented.
• Demonstrated proficiency in verbal and written communications, as well as knowledge of various software programs including but not limited to Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Office365, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work nonstandard hours (evenings, holidays, and weekends) as needed.
• Strong budget and financial management skills and ability to prioritize development initiatives based on return on investment.
• Highly proficient at establishing strong partnerships across organizations and influencing stakeholders to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to quickly build and manage relationships between team members, leadership, and consultants.
• Existing relationships in Seattle, throughout Washington State and nationally preferred.
• Exceptional project management skills.
• Have ability to manage in a climate of change and ambiguity.
• Works collaboratively with CSF staff, colleagues, and other partners.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, respecting individual differences and serving diverse populations.
• Initiative to learn and enhance skills that promote equity and an understanding of oppression and its impact on underserved populations.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

The items listed in this section are the primary duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic and therefore duties may change based on business necessity; however, any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.

• Manage development team to include setting department goals and objectives consistent with CSF’s mission.
• Serve as a lead on securing major gifts.
• Secure fundraising revenue by designing, directing, implementing, and managing comprehensive donor strategies with an emphasis on individual giving.
• Manage fundraising program activities including relationship strategy development, prospect identification, solicitation and engagement, proposal development, recognition, and appreciation efforts as related to current and new revenue.
• Manage relationships with key donors.
• Direct maintenance and tracking of major donor recognition programs and communication.
• Work with Public Relations and communications team to create consistent, powerful, and compelling messaging as it relates to major gift development efforts.
• Develop and manage the departmental budget to accomplish the annual fundraising objectives.
• Represent CSF in the community and, when appropriate, at regional and national meetings.
• Create and direct a comprehensive development plan integrating and supporting local, regional, and national sites and programs.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Determine and ensure adherence to department budget.
• Serve on boards, committees and taskforces that promote education, college access, and mentoring.
• Promote community outreach.
• Attend Foundation, donor, and community events with or on behalf of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Creates and maintains an expectation that the principles of equity and justice are understood and incorporated in the work of the team. Serves as a champion, role model, and active participant for equity and justice activities, programs, and initiatives. Ensures the team’s operational processes and procedures support the organization’s goals for equity and justice.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Operate office equipment such as a computer and printer/copier.
• Communicate information and ideas to create understanding and exchange accurate information.
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Perceive, inspect, and assess data at close range