Director of Development – Lafayette

Job opening: Director of Development – Lafayette

POSITION SUMMARY
Overall responsibility is to lead the effort in fulfilling an aggressive fundraising goal to underwrite our southwest Louisiana operations. Responsible for all aspects of development, including fundraising from individuals, corporations, and foundations; grant writing; fundraising events; and associated communication, public relations, volunteerism, and community engagement initiatives. This position is also responsible for implementing a focused major gifts development plan with the goals of cultivating relationships, stewarding donors, and soliciting gifts from major donors and prospects. The Lafayette Director of Development will work in close collaboration with the Southwest Regional Director, Development and Communications Team, Chief Strategy Officer, President and CEO, other members of the Executive Leadership Team, and the company’s Regional Advisory Committee and Board on major gifts strategy and execution.

Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to the success of the company; that contribution should not be limited by the work identified assigned tasks and overall responsibilities. Each employee is expected to offer his/her talents, expertise, and services whenever necessary to ensure the achievement of company goals.

ACCOUNTABILITIES
• Develop and execute a plan for soliciting gifts and developing a major gift plan in the context of an annual revenue goal for individual, corporate, and foundation major gifts and sponsorships.
• Manage a portfolio of 50-100 donors and prospects. This includes all phases of the gift cycle (identifying and qualifying new prospects, initiating contact with donors, customizing cultivation and solicitation strategies, engaging in direct solicitation or facilitating solicitation meetings as appropriate, and implementing stewardship initiatives). Prepare personalized solicitation packages that focus on organizational needs, funder interests, and recognition, as appropriate.
• Corporate and foundation fundraising: strengthen relationships with current donors, identify new prospects and solicit donations; develop corporate sponsorship opportunities, and work in partnership with the New Orleans development team on writing grants/other proposals.
• Conduct prospect research to identify new funding sources.
• Develop and implement fundraising events that generate revenue, boost brand awareness and engage the community.
• Communications and marketing: help develop the case for support for the Lafayette Branch and build relationships with key media partners.
• Engage individual and corporate volunteers in our mission.
• Accurately maintain donor information and activity in Raiser’s Edge. Work closely with the Director of Development and Donor Services Supervisor to implement the portfolio management system, measurement, and reporting metrics/progress in Raiser’s Edge. Report monthly on activity and results compared to goals and objectives.
• Support, as needed, fundraising and public relations efforts, including, but not limited to, events, public speaking/media requests, and volunteer relations.
• Manage the west advisory committee.
• Participate in meetings and committees as appropriate.
• Comply with all SHFB policies and procedures.
• Maintain a professional, positive and courteous manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet company needs.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s Degree required. An advanced degree and/or CFRE certification is a plus.
Experience: 5+ years of experience in fundraising and executing successful major gift programs.

Skills and Capabilities
The ideal candidate will possess many of these professional and personal abilities and attributes:
• Able to build rapport with donors, volunteers, and the public with diplomacy, discretion, and customer-service orientation.
• Capable of aligning priorities with the company’s strategic goals.
• Strong time management and multi-tasking skills; must be able to monitor and meet deadlines.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail teamed with a flexible and adaptable style, an entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative, out-of-the-box thinking.
• Self-starter; able to thrive in a fast-paced, expanding environment with limited on-site supervision.
• Able to work well in a team-oriented, goals-driven department that emphasizes a friendly culture and ownership of work responsibilities.
• Commitment to the mission of Second Harvest Food Bank.

Allowable Substitutions: A combination of education, experience, and/or training that provides the required knowledge and skills for the position may be considered in lieu of education and/or experience at the company’s discretion.

How to Apply:
Email resume and cover letter to jobs@secondharvest.org
Type “Director of Development – Lafayette” as the only content in the subject line of your email.