Director of Development - The Village Group : Job Details

Role Overview: The Director of Development is a key member of The Village Group's leadership team, driving the organization's fundraising and resource development efforts to new heights. This position focuses on cultivating major gifts, leading a comprehensive capital campaign, and building strategic partnerships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate entities. The Director will also oversee marketing and communications efforts to elevate The Village Group's visibility and expand donor engagement, ensuring the long-term sustainability of its mission to equip youth with the tools to build a sustainable community.

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a proven track record of securing major gifts, managing large-scale fundraising campaigns, and fostering donor relationships at the highest levels. This individual will exemplify The Village Group's vision, mission, and values while building a culture of philanthropy within the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Major Gifts and Capital Campaign (50%)

• Develop and execute a major gifts strategy, identifying, cultivating, and stewarding relationships with high-net-worth individuals, corporate partners, and foundation leaders.

• Design and lead a comprehensive capital campaign to support the development of The Village Group's strategic priorities, including the Plantersville Cultural Complex.

• Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to solicit six- and seven-figure gifts, engaging them as active participants in the fundraising process.

• Create personalized donor engagement plans and deliver compelling presentations to secure transformative investments.

Strategic Partnerships and Donor Engagement (30%)

• Build and sustain relationships with diverse funding partners, including corporations, community foundations, and government entities.

• Establish innovative funding streams through collaborative partnerships, sponsorships, and grant opportunities.

• Lead efforts to recognize and celebrate donor contributions, fostering a culture of gratitude and accountability.

• Manage the donor database to ensure accurate records and effective stewardship.

Marketing and Communications (15%)

• Oversee the development and implementation of a strategic marketing and communications plan that amplifies The Village Group's impact and engages a broader audience.

• Lead branding efforts to enhance visibility, donor engagement, and program support.

• Supervise the creation of high-quality materials, including annual reports, campaign collateral, and digital content, to strengthen donor outreach.

Leadership and Organizational Development (5%)

• Provide mentorship and guidance to staff and volunteers engaged in development and communications activities.

• Collaborate with the Executive Leadership team to align fundraising goals with organizational priorities.

• Stay informed of fundraising trends, emerging best practices, and opportunities for innovation within the nonprofit sector.

Qualifications and Desired Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Marketing, Communications, Fundraising, Philanthropy, or closely related field (advanced degree or CFRE certification preferred).

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in fundraising, with a strong emphasis on major gifts and capital campaigns.

• Demonstrated success in securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individual and institutional donors.

• Exceptional relationship-building skills and a proven ability to engage diverse stakeholders.

• Strong strategic thinking, project management, and organizational skills.

• Proficiency in donor management systems (e.g., Bloomerang) and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with a compelling public speaking presence.

Ideal for someone who is: ● People-oriented & Collaborative -- enjoys interacting with people and working together as a team ● Adaptable/flexible -- enjoys doing work that requires frequent shifts in direction ● Open-minded and willing to continue to learn and adapt ● Self-directed and follows through with tasks to produce measurable outcomes.