The Chief Development Officer will play a critical role in implementing our vision to increase our impact and significantly increase our individual donor base over the next 5 years. The ideal candidate is a strong leader, a development generalist, a creative thinker, an excellent manager of staff and volunteers, and is dedicated to creating a more just and equal Los Angeles. The Chief Development Officer is responsible for developing our strategic fundraising plan and overseeing its execution. We need a hard worker who can stretch limited resources. A keen understanding of the motivations and interests of high net worth individuals who have a passion for social justice is essential. The ideal candidate has experience in both individual and foundation giving. Event experience is critical. The annual revenue budget for the institution is about $5 million. The Chief Development Officer is not only a key fundraiser, but a philanthropic advisor to and organizer of donor activists. The Chief Development Officer will work closely with the Director of Strategic Communications to develop new media, marketing, and other strategies for building brand identity, visibility, and fundraising; experience in these arenas is ideal.
Liberty Hill is a cutting edge organization whose mission is to be a laboratory for social change philanthropy. We leverage the power of community organizers, donor activists and allies to advance social justice through strategic investment in grants, leadership training, and campaigns. We highly value and invest in our donor community and have compelling stories of impact to share.
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER POSITION SUMMARY
The Chief Development Officers works closely with the CEO and the Board Fundraising Chair to execute the ambitious strategic plan. The CDO oversees Liberty Hill’s Development Department currently comprising about six staff. Provides leadership for revenue generation including individual and planned giving, foundation and corporate relations, special events, and donor advised funds. Also responsible for managing donor education and engagement programming, including both in-person and virtual.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Primary areas of responsibility that may typically be assigned include but are not limited to:
Strategic & Departmental Leadership
Develops implementation plans to support the foundation’s multi-year strategic plan.
Works closely with the CEO and Board to develop vision, goals and execution plans for revenue generation.
Manages department staff and directs the activities of the Development Department including the Donor Advised Program. Analyzes and hones department strategies to increase revenue and maximize department efficiency and productivity.
Actively participates on the Directors Team, helping to lead the organization.
Serves as lead collaborator with program staff to identify and facilitate donor engagement opportunities.
Actively participates in board and various subcommittee meetings.
Fundraising
Oversees individual and institutional giving activities including the following cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual and foundation donors at all levels. Manages a portfolio of donors. Key elements of our fundraising program are:
Major Gifts Program ($1,200+ annual donors).
Annual Giving Program (under $1,200 annually).
Foundation and Corporate Giving.
Planned Giving Program.
Fundraising events, including our annual Upton Sinclair Dinner which attracts 800 people and raises over $500,000.
Supports fundraising efforts of Board of Directors and Advisory Council.
Manages the conceptualization and creation of online and printed communication materials for individual donors and fundraising events.
Donor services and engagement
Supervises the Director of Philanthropy to promote social change philanthropy and support the philanthropy and activism of donors through Donor Advised Funds, giving circles, restricted funds, and other programs.
Organizes donor engagement events throughout the year to inspire and educate existing and prospective donors about social change philanthropy.
Serves on the Board’s Investment Committee.
Staff Management and Development
Attracts, retains and motivates high-performing staff.
Trains, coaches and develops staff to ensure optimal utilization of skills, high level motivation and understanding of promotional opportunities.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
Knowledge of:
Fundraising approaches that identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a variety of individual and institutional donors, including new models of fundraising.
Relationship development and management principles and practices.
Los Angeles County progressive non-profit community.
Philanthropic community and trends.
Principles of working effectively with diverse and broad-based community constituencies.
Investment policies and performance, as donor-advised funds are invested.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Seven years executive level experience in fundraising within a non-profit environment, with proven track record of success in generating funds from individual, institutional and corporate partners, and effectively supervising staff.
Significant demonstrated experience in effectively working with board members and other fundraising volunteers.
Computer proficiency in Windows operating system and MS Office software including Word and Excel. Familiarity with Raisers Edge and other Blackbaud software. Ability to operate Internet applications, CRM and email.
Available to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
Valid CA driver’s license and reliable means of transportation.
Skills in:
Ability to manage, motivate, evaluate and reward staff.
Expense and revenue budget preparation and management.
Cross-department collaboration.
Fundraising/CRM databases, preferably Raisers Edge.
Strategy development and execution.
Excellent judgment and decision making.
Influencing and negotiation.
Workload management and ability to multi-task when priorities change.
Problem analysis and resolution.
Strong oral and written communication with a variety of constituencies.
Teamwork and customer service.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to prioritize work effectively and to follow tasks through to completion.
Communications experience preferred.
Ability to think creatively and outside of the box desired.
Experience with donor advised funds preferred.
Liberty Hill is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to having the rich diversity of our community reflected in our workforce.
How to apply
If you feel Liberty Hill could be the right place for you, please submit a resume with a cover letter that explains why you would be the best fit for this position and Liberty Hill. Email your resume, cover letter and salary requirements/salary history to the attention of Max Azzarello at jobposting@libertyhill.org with Chief Development Officer in the subject line.