Director of Development

Position Summary

The Director of Development position is full-time, 40 hours per week (exempt, benefits eligible) and is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing NLC’s fundraising efforts. The Director of Development has a proven track record of orchestrating successful fundraising initiatives in a variety of settings. The Director of Development will possess clear expertise in leveraging diverse fundraising channels to maximize revenue generation. Will bring experience that spans institutional giving and individual giving, including major gifts, foundations, and corporate partnerships. Will engage and motivate donors and partners by communicating a compelling vision for the organization, continually innovating to help expand the depth and breadth of NLC’s resource development. Has a strong data and analysis orientation and a proven ability to use metrics to drive development decisions and achieve strategic objectives. May require some local travel (reimbursable). The Director of Development reports to the Chief Operating Officer and works closely with the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors in all development and fundraising endeavors. May require some local travel (reimbursable). Pay commensurate with experience. This position is in-person.

Job Responsibilities

• Manages the NLC Development team.
• Develops fundraising strategies for NLC.
• With the Partner Engagement team, creates an impactful NLC Donor stewardship plan
• With the Marketing and Communication team, finalizes a branding and communication plan for NLC staff and volunteers.
• With Grant Manager, will lead the application and reporting process for grant funding including determining eligibility, gathering information, coordinating strategy meetings, tracking deadlines, communicating, and reporting to funders, etc.
• With team, establishes relationships and meets prospective donors and supporters on a continual basis to establish effective communications with them and cultivate ongoing relationships, involvement, and support.
• Assists partner engagement team in identifying and pursuing strategic opportunities for collaboration (potential donors) with partnering organizations, churches, and community members.
• Grows a major gifts program including identification, cultivation, marketing/communication, and solicitation of major donors and volunteers.
• Design and implement an annual development plan with revenue projections, leveraging a mix of tactics including special events, direct mail, e-appeals, and personal solicitations while identifying new opportunities for donor engagement and revenue.
• Identify prospects, organize outreach, and execute various fundraising campaigns, including annual appeals, crowdfunding initiatives, and online giving campaigns.
• Builds and manage portfolio of foundations and corporate opportunities, including management of timelines, budgets, and reporting responsibilities.
• Assess donor engagement trends and provide recommendations to refine fundraising strategies and outreach efforts.
• Monitors and evaluates fundraising metrics, tracking revenue, donor retention rates, campaign effectiveness, and return on investment.
• Directs an annual fund program including mailings and annual fundraising drives.
• Leads planning and implementation of fundraising special events.
• Evaluates the success of fundraising events and uses analysis to recommend and implement adjustments as needed to improve future efforts.
• Works closely with the Executive Team, the Board of Directors, the Board Development Committee, and NLC staff.
• Makes strategic public appearances and accepts speaking engagements to share information about NLC with the community and partners resulting in raising funds.
• Creates a strong fundraising message that appeals to potential donors.
• With team, maintains a gift recognition program.
• Oversees fundraising database and tracking systems; shares impact reports regularly with Executive team.
• Supervises and collaborates with other fundraising staff.
• Helps develop all aspects of the fundraising message including the management of social media and marketing and communications materials.
• Works with web developers to use website to increase exposure of fundraising efforts.
• Creates and maintains a pipeline of organizations and churches in their different stages of fundraising involvement up to the point of full commitment.
• Routinely follows up with donors and volunteers to establish and monitor continued involvement and support.
• Continues the creation and development of the ability to track donor experience and engagement utilizing the Virtuous database and other information collecting methods where needed.
• Develops a tiered marketing, donor, and involvement program for qualification and donation amounts and resources.
• Provides regular monthly reports of progress, involvement of the donors and volunteers, participation level, and pipeline status.
• Ensure that all legal reporting requirements are satisfied.
• Working cross culturally and communicating with understanding to a diverse group of community members.
• Maintains accuracy of budget and spending plan.
• Participates in required evaluations and audits when necessary.
• Demonstrates New Life Centers’ values.
• Attends required meetings and trainings.
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer.

Skills & Qualifications

• Must become a Certified Mandated Reporter. Training provided.
• Must pass a background check, must not have any pending cases.
• Must pass a Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System background check.
• Must pass a National Sex Offender Registry background check.
• Must have a working phone and phone number.
• Completed relevant coursework/field of study in social work, criminal justice, data.
• Experience managing a team.
• Cross-cultural competency.
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally.
• Completed relevant coursework/field of study in fundraising, communications, etc.
• Cross-cultural competency.
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally.
• 5 years minimum experience in professional fundraising.
• Have knowledge and experience in fundraising techniques, particularly major gift fundraising.
• Demonstrates strength in communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relational skills.
• Ability to effectively motivate staff, board members, and volunteers.
• Effectively initiates and stewards donor relationships.
• Is a goal driven to initiate donor visits and fundraising calls strategically.
• Exhibits follow-through on tasks and goals.
• Displays a positive attitude, shows concern for people and community, demonstrates self-confidence, common sense, and good listening ability.
• Strong experience with use of social media and other communication portals.
• Comfortable in creating presentations and providing direction for creation of videos and communication materials.
• Knowledge of restorative justice, violence prevention, and youth development helpful.
• Ability to effectively work independently, problem-solve, multi-task and take initiative.
• High organization and detail-oriented skill ability.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must be willing to be trained, and proficiently utilize database(s) and information tracking systems relevant to duties.
• Must keep confidentiality of participant information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license, insurance, good driving record, access to a vehicle. Subject to driving background check.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials:

• Cover letter indicating your experience and interest in the position
• Resume
• List of three references with contact information (minimum 2 professional references, email and phone number included)
• Please mention the name of any New Life Centers staff who referred the position to you if applicable.

New Life Centers provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. New Life Centers complies with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

*NLC does not provide visa sponsorship, including for F-1 STEM OPT.