Chief Development Officer

Job Title:          Chief Development Officer

FLSA Status:    Exempt

Reports to:        CEO

The Chief Development Officer is responsible for envisioning and managing fund development efforts, including annual giving, major gifts, prospective donor research; and donor stewardship while creating and fostering positive relationships with the donor community, resulting in a financially sound organization.  Oversees and support the events coordinator with on and off site fundraising events, donor relations and re

Fund Development and Donor Recognition

• Develop and implement a plan for innovative and effective fundraising strategies.
  1. Document the plan in the form of a standard operating procedure and presented to CEO and the Board for approval.
  2. Collaborate with the CEO and CSO (Outreach Team) throughout the development and implementation process.
  3. Ensure an effective balance and variety of funding sources including grants, in-kind donations, fundraising events, and other gifts.
• Identify, pursue, and acquire major donors.
  1. Monitor donor history to include donor levels.
  2. Asses donor trends and advise the CEO and Board of Directors on strategy
  3. Work with the Board to identify and foster collaborative major donor relationships
• Develop and assign caseloads for stewardship and cultivation to board, staff and volunteers
  1. Work in conjunction with the CSO and outreach team to identify and catalog a calendar of cultivation events that Clear Path should participate in. . .
• Monitor and manage the online giving program.
• Manage the annual appeal, including consistently expanding the base of individual donors.
• Create and manage a planned giving program.
  1. Assemble and manage an effective committee which includes volunteers for outreach.
• Continually review, update. And implement the gift acceptance policy to ensure it fosters a culture of gratitude and allows Clear Path to accept gifts that will be fully utilized.
• Create, document, implement and manage an effective cycle of giving.
• Create a donor recognition program that will encourage continued and regular donations and result in Clear Path’s donors feeling appreciated and valued.
• Identify and engage prospect research sources to ensure effective wealth screening.

Management, Teamwork, and Leadership

• Provide effective quarterly leadership to the Clear Path Staff with regard to fund raising protocol.
  1. Work with Clear Path staff to identify employees interested and able to assist with fund raising efforts and utilize their talents
     1. Coordinate and manage their efforts.
     2. Work with CSO and outreach team to assign proper speakers for donor related events

• Responsible for ensuring effective and timely recruiting, interviewing and assessment of fund development staff, including collaborating with others to make the best hiring decisions.
  1. Manage time-to-hire so as not to leave open positions unnecessarily vacant.
• Oversee the new employee orientation and continued training of fund development staff members.
• Effectively evaluate the performance, skills, and professional development needs of fund development staff.
  1. This includes a regular schedule of formal performance evaluations.

Administrative and Miscellaneous

• Work with the CEO to create the budget.
  1. Manage and monitor budget monthly, being prepared to explain variances.
• Create and disseminate an annual report including but not limited to financials and donor giving levels.
• Create and implement a direct mail campaign.
• Attend and actively participate in staff and other meetings.
• Analyze monthly and historical receipts.
  1. Create monthly report summarizing donors and donations for senior leadership and outreach review
• Attend training and/or educational sessions, webinars, reading, and/or do the research necessary to be able to learn and apply effective fund raising techniques.
• Perform any other duties as assigned or necessary to complete job responsibilities. This could include filling in at the front desk, giving tours, attending community events and/or anything else necessary to carry out Clear Path’s mission.

Bachelor’s degree in fund raising management, or equivalent business related discipline. 

A minimum of 5 years of fund raising experience, preferably in a human services organization.

Previous supervisory and leadership experience.

Must be familiar with the Central New York community and have formed solid networking relationships.

Ability to travel locally with own transportation.

Must be comfortable with dogs in the workplace.

Leadership and supervisory skills. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.
• Organizational, time management, and recordkeeping ability.
• Ability to concurrently coordinate multiple projects and assignments.
• Basic to advanced technical skills including Microsoft Office products and databases.
• Ability to operate equipment such as camera, audio visual, and some facilities equipment.

 Ability to be mobile enough to traverse around the Clear Path facility and travel locally.  Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate with individuals and crowds.  May be required to stand for long periods of time.  The ability to use a monitor and keyboard frequently. 

Ensure the ambassador of happiness philosophy is carried out by and for everyone; Veterans, volunteers, employees, and other visitors included. 

• Adheres to Clear Path for Veterans policies and procedures.
• Meets or exceeds expected performance standards, including consistently reporting to work on time prepared to perform the duties of the position.
• All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by management.
• This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.