Chief Development Officer

The Riverbrook Regional YMCA is seeking a Chief Development Officer to lead our team in fundraising efforts for our organization.
Job Description

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Development Officer (CDO) has the responsibility for the implementation and execution of the Riverbrook Regional YMCA’s (RRY) Financial Development and Community Engagement Partnership strategies and initiatives. This includes but is not limited to: Capital project fundraising, Annual Campaign, Special Event(s), and Endowment Development efforts. The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a member of the Senior Leadership team and as such plays a major role in setting the direction of the Association.  The role will lead efforts to advocate the YMCA’s impact, values and initiatives to diverse audiences, ensuring that the organization’s vital work is recognized and supported within the community and beyond. The CDO will deepen the engagement of our staff and volunteers in philanthropy while further advancing the culture throughout the association. The CDO will ensure an inclusive, positive, fun and welcoming culture that promotes a genuine sense of belonging for all.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent working experience (10+ years).
  • Five to seven years of fundraising experience. Proven fundraiser with annual campaigns, major gifts, grant writing, online giving, planned giving, special events, and capital campaign preferred.
  • Proven record of successfully achieving and surpassing fundraising goals, tracking outcomes, and managing budgets with performance-based campaigns and special events.
  • Team-oriented with strong leadership skills.
  • Must have demonstrated results of positive engagement and success with volunteer, corporate, foundation, elected officials, and community groups.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, organizational and analytical skills; project management skills. Experience with Board volunteer management and ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, and flexibility.
  • CRM experience.
  • Commitment to the YMCA mission.
  •  HIPAA Compliance Training.
Essential Functions

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Work with development staff and senior leadership to project, track, meet and surpass annual fundraising goals set by the CDO and CEO.
  • Create annual philanthropy plans to meet financial goals, analyze results, and pivot accordingly.
  • Manage a team of fundraisers inclusive of but not limited to individual giving, and grant(s) writing team members.
  • Create and support the expansion of endowment, and legacy giving, and grant(s).
  • Provides energetic and visible leadership and motivation to the Board of Directors and other leadership.
  • Works with the Board and CEO to develop and implement plans to recruit and involve leadership-level volunteers.
  • In conjunction with the Director of Marketing, develop briefings, letters, proposals, and related materials for key volunteers and CEO as it relates to prospects and donors.
  • Perform special tasks, duties, and projects assigned.
  • Work with local and national organizations to further partnerships, philanthropic endeavors, volunteer experiences, and create & sustain best practices. 

Donor Management:

  • Utilizing the Strategic Plan and partnering with staff Major Gifts Committee (including strategy sessions with Chair, development of Committee agenda, production of materials, and staff follow-up from meetings) to drive next steps.
  • Leading Staff Special Event Committee, including working with volunteers and event planner on branding of signature event(s), renewing and securing lead sponsors, and oversight of all collateral materials. This can be inclusive of other neighboring organizations and their staff.
  • Oversee implementation of donor strategies with key volunteers and YMCA staff.
  • Work with CEO and Chair of the Board Development Committee to ensure effective and meaningful Board Member Recruitment. 

Volunteer and Senior Management Staffing:

  • Staff Major Gift Committee, including strategy sessions with Chair, development of the Committee agenda, production of materials, and staff follow-up from meetings to drive next steps.
  • Staff Special Event Committee, including working with volunteers and planning branding of signature events (working with Director of Marketing), renewing and securing lead sponsors, and oversight of all collateral materials.
  • Oversee implementation of donor strategies with key volunteers and YMCA staff.

Strategic Partnership and Community Engagement:

  • Serve as an ambassador to the communities served by the RRY (Wilton, Redding, & Norwalk), playing a visible role in advancing new and existing relationships that lead to increasing levels of philanthropic support. Nurture relationships between the RRY and corporations, foundations, individuals, and families.
  • In conjunction with CEO implement an annual engagement plan to ensure that the Y is viewed as a community-wide asset and thought leader while strengthening community relations.
  • Serve as a spokesperson and representative of the Y in the community by working with influential figures to promote a positive view of the Y. Including, Chambers of Commerce, community street fairs, and alike.
  • Work closely with outside community groups and organizations in coordinating public information, marketing, and promotional activities.

Government Relations Duties:

  • Working directly with the CEO, to organize meetings with civic and government leaders to ensure that they are aware of the Y, its activities, and that it is a valuable community resource and asset.
  • Working with the CEO, CT/RI Alliance Advocate, CEO of the CT/RI Alliance, and Board, identify significant public policy issues that can be utilized to support the Y’s Mission, and create/implement plans to leverage them. 

Effect on end results:

This position has the primary impact on the overall effectiveness with which the Association accomplishes its purpose, goals, and objectives in serving the community. Therefore, the effectiveness of this position should be measured by:

  • The Riverbrook Regional YMCA - maximizing its financial resources available from philanthropic individuals, corporations, organizations, and foundations.
  • The Board of Directors has the capability to give leadership to its fundraising responsibility.
  • The community better understands the YMCA programs and the need to support them. 

General Guidelines for All Leadership 

Child Abuse

Adhere to policies related to boundaries with youth. Provides staff with regular feedback regarding their boundaries with young people.

·        Complete all required organizational training(s) annually.

·        Reports suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.

·        Follows mandated abuse reporting requirements.

·        Follows staff screening requirements to screen for abuse risk.

·        Provides staff with on-going supervision and training related to abuse risk.

·        Requires staff to adhere to policies and procedures related to abuse risk.

·        Respond quickly to policy and procedure violations using the organization’s progressive disciplinary procedures.

·        Communicates to all staff on a consistent basis the organization’s commitment to protect young people from abuse.

This organization takes every allegation of abuse or misconduct seriously and will fully cooperate with the authorities to investigate all cases of alleged abuse or misconduct. Employees and Volunteers shall cooperate with any external investigation by outside authorities or internal investigation conducted by the organization or persons given investigative authority by the organization. An employee or volunteer’s failure to cooperate with an investigation will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or dismissal from the organization. We adhere to zero tolerance for abuse and will not tolerate the mistreatment or abuse of consumers in its programs. Any mistreatment or abuse by an employee or volunteer will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or volunteer service and cooperation with law enforcement.  

HIPAA

 

Job responsibilities include access to protected health information. The employee may access protected health information (PHI) only to the extent that it is necessary for the job requirements. This position may only share PHI with those who have a need-to-know specific member/participant/employee information to complete job responsibilities related to the individual’s participation, payment or company operations. All positions are expected to complete the required HIPAA privacy training and always maintain HIPAA compliance.

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates Y values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fundraising.

Collaboration: Work effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively.

Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience.  Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work, and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.  

Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.