Director of Development Job Description

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT                                                 

The Cibolo Nature Center's mission is conservation of natural resources through education and stewardship. We provide programming for children, youth, adults and families while protecting vanishing natural areas.

DEVELOPMENT AT THE CNC

The professionalization of the development effort has coincided with the growing costs of offering a first-rate, 21st Century education. Fundraising activities are becoming increasingly vital to the sustenance of the CNC. Throughout the history of the CNC Friends have demonstrated their commitment to giving back to the CNC, and this trend has only risen in the last decade. The CNC is in the midst of Phase 1 of the Herff Farm Campaign and has already raised $2 million toward its $3 million goal. In addition to bringing the campaign to a successful conclusion, CNC looks toward the future with excitement about the prospect of increasing donor participation, growing a nascent but thus-far successful planned giving program, and generally continuing to educate its community about the importance of supporting the CNC financially.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the CNC Executive Director, partnering with the Director of Operations and working closely with key Trustees, the Director of Development will be responsible for the overall fundraising efforts of the CNC and will develop strategies and implement programs aimed at attracting financial support to the organization. He or she will serve as a key spokesperson on the CNC's behalf in order to strengthen connections with internal and external constituencies, and will maintain open and collaborative relationships with staff, volunteers and Board members. The Director of Development will oversee an assistant, as well as the possible addition of other volunteers and interns. Specific duties include the following:

• Assuring that all development functions - including annual fund drives, donor relations, corporate and foundation support, major donor cultivation and solicitation, records maintenance, and stewardship - perform optimally in support of the CNC.
• Leading the current capital campaign to a successful conclusion and overseeing the planning and execution of future fundraising efforts.
• Working with the Executive Director of CNC and key Board members to identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts prospects, both by approaching them directly and by staffing the Executive Director and others.
• Developing and implementing new strategies to expand the alumni and planned giving programs.
• Maintaining a high-performing office both by mentoring and guiding current staff members and by recruiting new individuals to key positions.
• Serving as a visible, active, and enthusiastic presence in the life of the CNC, and being an advocate for the institution's mission to both internal and external constituencies.

QUALITIES NEEDED

Leadership

A person who leads by force of intellect, knowledge of the field, an innate desire to excel and to inspire others, passion and enthusiasm for the CNC, and dedication to mission.

A leader who engenders support among colleagues and other members of the community by virtue of his or her service orientation, creativity, and willingness to teach and empower colleagues.

An unpretentious person who collaborates with others and is willing to "roll up one's sleeves" in order to lead by example and to achieve results.

An individual whose life integrates personal values with professional performance.

Experience

At least five years in development, including such functions as annual campaigns, alumni relations, and major and planned giving, preferably in an independent non-profit.

Leadership roles in capital campaigns, including planning, direct solicitation, staffing key executives and volunteers, and stewardship.

Experience mentoring and managing a team of committed professionals.

Skills and Knowledge

Able to work in a small, face-to-face environment that values a high degree of teamwork and collaboration.

Well-developed interpersonal skills that allow one to work successfully in a CNC community and to share with its members the strong sense of purpose and "connectedness" that is built on the mission of the CNC.
Excellent communication abilities, both verbal and written, with a range of internal and external constituencies.

A disciplined person who follows through on projects and is attentive to key details while still delegating appropriately to capable staff members and volunteers.

One who understands development as a total system and can marshal resources to execute according to a comprehensive strategic plan.

Skilled at hiring, training, mentoring, motivating and holding accountable a strong staff of professionals.

Substantial knowledge of campaigns, annual drives, alumni relations, and corporate and foundation philanthropy.

Personal Traits

A person of unquestioned integrity who has an impeccable reputation, who honors commitments, and who deals with people in a straightforward and personable fashion.

One who embraces the mission of the CNC and projects true excitement and "fire in the belly" in promoting its goals.

An individual who is at once poised and polished yet understated, and in the spirit of a servant leader finds fulfillment in helping others succeed.

Accessible, approachable, and secure in his or her personal capabilities.

A team player who is mindful of the well-being of the total community while having courage of conviction and a willingness to speak one's mind for the good of the whole.

Warm, genuinely interested in others, and compassionate while still exercising tough-mindedness and accountability in a businesslike way.

Well organized, clear thinking, and efficient.

A good listener.