Director of Development & Communications

Chrysalis Center Inc; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Chrysalis Center Inc is seeking a driven Development Director to lead fundraising, communications and marketing strategies. You will cultivate philanthropic giving, manage foundation and government grants, and serve as the organization’s external spokesperson to strengthen brand recognition.

You will supervise staff, coordinate events, and work closely with the CEO and Board to achieve fundraising goals while expanding donor engagement and visibility in the community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred, plus a minimum of 5 years nonprofit development experience.
• Experience in marketing, fundraising and grants required.
• Proven oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated record of attracting and securing significant gifts from individual donors, corporations and foundations.
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and forecasting for expense and income.
• Experience with fundraising database systems and procedures for donor tracking, record keeping, acknowledgment and development reporting.

Responsibilities

• Overall administration and execution of fundraising programs targeted at raising general operating support as well as restricted support for both programs and capital needs
• Develop and implement fundraising goals and strategies to increase funding from current donors and expand to new constituencies
• Oversee major prospect solicitation activities including individuals, businesses and foundations
• Plan and coordinate at least one major fundraising event per year with budget, timeline and goals
• Supervise personnel responsible for grant research and writing, events, and volunteer management
• Lead communications strategy to promote Chrysalis Center’s mission and activities and support development goals
• Create and manage the organization’s website and social media presence
• Prepare Annual Report and newsletters; craft official messages for press and public
• Review and submit grant proposals, reports and acknowledgments ensuring compliance and proper tracking
• Maintain donor database, donor lists, and proper acknowledgments; coordinate with HR to support staff supervision

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Grant writing

Communications

Budgeting

Donor relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Donor database systems

Job description

POSITION SCOPE:

The DODC is responsible for driving vital revenue streams which allow Chrysalis Center to achieve its mission and maximize its impact in the community. Reporting to and in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this role will create and execute on all fundraising, communications and marketing strategies. This position serves as the primary staff person responsible for cultivating philanthropic giving, coordinating submission of competitive governmental and foundation grants, promoting positive external communications encompassing print, digital and social media, and serves as the spokesperson to the media and general public to position and strengthen the organization’s name recognition and advance mission.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Overall administration and execution of fundraising programs targeted at raising general operating support as well as restricted support for both programs and capital needs
2. Genuine commitment to the organization’s mission and its compassionate culture
3. The formulation and attainment of fundraising goals and strategies, including efforts to increase funding from current and past donors, and the expansion of fundraising efforts directed at new constituencies
4. Oversight of major prospect solicitation activities, including individuals, businesses and foundations
5. Plan and coordinate a minimum of one major fundraising event per year. Develop event budget, timeline and goals.
6. Supervision of personnel whose responsibilities include grant research and writing, special event planning and execution, and volunteer management
7. Planning, writing and managing the organization’s direct mail efforts (annual fund, etc.)
8. Staff liaison to the Development Committee of the Board
9. Support and, when appropriate, define appropriate fundraising assignments for Board members
10. Develop and implement a communications strategy to promote the mission and activities of the organization and support development goals
11. Create and manage organization’s website and social media presence
12. Development of print, digital and other fundraising materials
13. Create and execute development calendar which includes all fundraising events and initiatives
14. Design and production of Annual Report, quarterly newsletters and e-newsletters
15. Craft official messages for public/press
16. Review and submit all grant proposals, reports and proper acknowledgments, ensuring corporate funder accreditation compliance and database tracking with all grants
17. Work in partnership with the Executive Assistant to maintain donor database and targeted mailing list(s) and ensure proper acknowledgement of all donors and record keeping/files also identify and cultivate prospective donors.
18. Supervision of direct reports including but not limited to regular supervision meetings, maintenance of formal supervision notes, review of records and oversight of supervisor’s tasks. Back up as needed.
19. Read daily e-mails, newspaper articles and inform CEO and/or other Chrysalis Center staff relevant or pertinent information each morning.
20. Provide orientation, training and ongoing skill building for direct staff; ensure timely completion of performance evaluations.
21. Hiring and termination of staff being supervised with final approval of the CEO; disciplinary action (verbal & written warnings) of the staff being supervised in collaboration with the Human Resources Department.
22. Management and oversight of Development expenditures within approved spending plans, including written authorization for Development expenditures over $500, not to exceed $1,000
23. .Adheres to all Chrysalis Center, Inc.’s policies, procedures and standards at all times

1. Ensures that revenue is garnered to meet agency budget needs each year as outlined by the CFO
2. Ensures donor base is grown at least 10% each year with new donors and overall appeals are grow at least 10% each year.
3. Oversight of organization’s volunteer program and create outreach initiatives to further develop relationships in the community and enhance organization’s visibility

Perform other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree preferred, plus a minimum of 5 years of nonprofit development experience required.
2. Experience in marketing, fundraising and grants required.
3. Proven oral and written communication skills.
4. Demonstrated record of attracting and securing significant gifts from individual donors, corporations and foundations.
5. Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and forecasting for expense and income.
6. Experience with fundraising database systems and procedures for donor tracking, record keeping, acknowledgment and development reporting.
7. Knowledge and proficiency in using computer applications, including standard Windows applications
8. Ability to work proactively with senior level staff, board of directors, corporations, foundations and community at large.
9. Possess and maintains a valid drivers’ license, reliable vehicle, current registration and insurance.

KEY COMPETENCIES

1. 1. Identify major donors and provide strategies to increase current donors to higher giving levels. Ensure major donors and holiday/special occasion solicitation in conjunction with the annual development plan; proper acknowledgement and updated database.
   2. Excellent multi-tasking, time management and project management skills, with deadline driven results
   3. Excellent social, interpersonal skills with discreet, proper boundaries and high ethical standards as a strong value base.
   4. Ability to work with a diverse culture, age ranges, and represent the agency with the utmost professionalism.
   5. Strong communication skills.
   6. Maintain a thorough knowledge of agency policies, procedures and the union contract.
   7. Attend, represent and participate in all required events and meetings.
   8. Perform other tasks consistent with the job purpose and deemed necessary by the Supervisor.