Position Profile
Director of Development and Strategy
Learning Together
www.LearningTogether.org
Raleigh, NC
THE ORGANIZATION
Learning Together has been a pioneer of Inclusive Education for over 50 years, serving several thousand young children of all abilities during that time. Learning Together exists to ensure equity and equality in Early Childhood Education (ECE) for educationally disadvantaged and typically developing children. Our Inclusive Education methodology, Super-Inclusive Education (SIE), exemplifies Learning Together’s commitment to being hyper-focused on the social and emotional development of the children we serve. We believe equal and equitable high-quality ECE should start at 18 months of age; our Developmental Day Center is 5-Star rated and NAEYC-accredited. Learning Together is intentionally inclusive and we demand equity at every level, by every person engaged in the delivery of education. Learning Together believes that our Super-Inclusive Education mantra will be a catalyst for equity in education, in our community and the world.
THE CANDIDATE
The Director of Development and Strategy, reporting to the Executive Director, is responsible for building and leading efforts to advance Learning Together’s mission and develop the support base for new and expanding programs. The Director oversees all aspects of fundraising through a comprehensive development program, including creating and implementing strategies and initiatives for increasing support.
The Director of Development and Strategy plays a key role in the organization which requires the individual be smart and entrepreneurial, skilled in building impactful relationships and engaging and stewarding donors. As a primary representative of the organization, the Director must be able to communicate knowledge about relevant issues and express a genuine passion for the mission in the community. A dynamic, seasoned professional with broad fundraising experience, this role requires the individual to be comfortable taking risks and identifying and seizing opportunities. A creative orientation to infuse new ideas and a willingness to try new ways of accomplishing results is essential.
Empathetic and flexible, the Director of Development and Strategy will be respectful of different viewpoints and roles, encourage inclusion, and engage in and maintain strong relationships using an equity-based and family leadership focus.
THE POSITION
The Director of Development and Strategy is responsible for all aspects of fundraising, including creating and implementing strategies and initiatives for increasing funding, reaching out to the community to broaden name recognition, identifying resources needed to carry out the mission, strengthening relationships with partners and donors, and implementing campaigns as needed.
Essential duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Lead, manage, carry out, and evaluate the organization’s fundraising initiatives that support the annual operational needs, including major donor, corporate, foundation, and planned giving programs. Assess organizational structure and ensure alignment with best practices. Develop and implement comprehensive, strategic annual and long-term fundraising plans.
- Cultivate relationships with current and prospective donors, Board members and other stakeholders. Identify and engage individuals in a robust and systematic giving program. Research, identify and cultivate existing and new relationships within the community. Take an active role in soliciting additional sources of funding and potential partnerships. Build networks.
- Conduct annual campaigns and special fundraising events, with a specific focus on donor recruitment and major gift solicitation and cultivation.
- Work with the Board of Directors on fundraising projects and special events. Assist in recruiting and training volunteer leaders, arranging meetings, and managing other staff support for the Board.
- Design and develop relevant materials such as solicitation letters, thank you letters, grant narratives, invitations, progress reports, brochures, correspondence, and marketing materials. Incorporate branding and community relations into the development strategies. Increase name recognition of the organization.
- Manage the donor database and donor files, ensuring effective utilization. Understand and implement donor prospect research strategies and techniques.
- Provide leadership of fundraising activities through communication, empowerment and delegation of duties, and program evaluation. Work in partnership with Board members, volunteers, contracted workers, and staff involved in outreach, public relations and education.
- Provide annual revenue and expenses projections for the budget from development sources. Prepare fundraising and donor reports, analyses, evaluations and recommendations for the Executive Director and Board, as needed.
- Comply with written procedures governing development tasks, updating and creating new procedures as needed. Ensure compliance with accreditation, regulatory, and funding requirements and guidelines. Understand and comply with all federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and all professional standards relating to fundraising.
- Serve as liaison with partner organizations to ensure representation for the organization and to help with cooperative solicitations, as needed.
THE QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Minimum of five (5) years broad nonprofit development experience with demonstrated success.
- Demonstrated leadership with a high level of energy. Ability to effectively brand the organization and promote the mission in diverse regional communities.
- Knowledge of Board relations and volunteer management.
- Ability to evaluate, adjust and innovate to produce results. Ability to think strategically without losing focus and without losing attention to detail.
- Exceptional written communication skills and public speaking experience. Ability to create materials with an exciting message that is easily understood.
- Strong interpersonal skills and outstanding ability to build positive relationships. Ability to listen perceptively and communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
- Strong skills with word processing and database management programs. Strongly prefer experience with donor database software. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Power Point. Experience with social networking sites and internet fundraising a plus.
- Strong organization skills, attention to detail, and experience with annual/multi-year planning and budgeting. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
The target hiring salary for this position is $60,000 to $70,000 at this time, with recognition that the position will grow as the organization and funding grow.
TO APPLY
Learning Together, Inc. has contracted with Capability Company Consulting to support the search process. Please send cover letter, resume, and three references to: LearningTogether@CapabilityCompany.com. Only applications received through this address will be considered.
Deadline to apply EXTENDED: 5:00 PM, April 12, 2021; applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.