Director of Development

Director of Development

Position Description:
The Director of Development supervises the Special Events and Marketing Coordinator, Grants Manager, organization interns, and event volunteers. This position also oversees corporate cultivation, foundation relations, major gifts, annual giving, special events, and all associated development activities. The Director of Development works closely with Lift For Life Gym’s Executive Director, Board of Directors and Corporate Development Board.

A successful candidate will be self-motivated, team-centric, strategic, charismatic, detail-oriented, and highly organized; and will possess the ability to solicit financial gifts of all levels. Excellent communication, interpersonal, analytical, and research skills are essential. Familiarity with the St. Louis civic community is a plus. This position is full-time, salaried with benefits.

Reports to: Executive Director

Responsibilities:

1. Design, implement, and evaluate Lift For Life Gym’s Annual Development Plan: Work with the Executive Director to identify funds needed, preferred funding targets, and strategic alignment of each ask.
2. Special Events: Oversee the planning, production, and fundraising efforts of all Lift For Life Gym’s fundraising events including the annual Raising the Bar Dinner Event.
3. Fundraising: Perform ongoing research, cultivation, and solicitation as well as recognition of individual, corporate and foundation donors. Establish and fulfill annual fundraising goals and budgets for all contributed income categories.
4. Oversee ongoing development efforts: Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies that include Young Professionals Board, volunteers, in-kind donations, special events, and cause marketing, ensure fulfillment of all promised recognition and benefits to donors.
5. Lead stewardship efforts: Grow and maintain a loyal donor base and provide necessary oversight: ensuring individual, corporate and foundation database records are current.
6. Collaborate: Oversight and interaction with program staff in the creation and solicitation of earned-revenue sponsorships and individual giving.
7. Coordinate marketing and communications: Leverage messaging to support every aspect of the fundraising plan. Including, public relations and community relations activities, which includes email fundraising campaigns, direct mail, special events, social media, speaking engagements, donor and volunteer recognition, etc.
8. Board interaction: Work with the Executive Director to motivate and strengthen the Board in its role in development; expand, manage and coordinate the Board members and other volunteers’ involvement in fundraising activities. Participate in strategic and campaign planning. Assume an active role in serving and supporting the Board and Board sub-committees.

Skills and experience:

1. Fundraising: Proven success in fundraising for an established nonprofit. Experience producing events and success in stewarding relationships.
2. Project Leadership: Experience in planning, leading, and managing fundraising initiatives including coordinating with peers to achieve desired outcomes, and tracking and reporting on progress to Executive Director and Board of Directors.
3. Entrepreneurial Spirit: Takes initiative, creatively explores fresh ideas, and actively seeks strategic opportunities to deepen current donor relationships and to forge new ones.
4. Communications: Skilled in creating powerful, compelling written and oral communications for fundraising. Ability to convey complex ideas through brief, simple materials. Experience and credibility when presenting materials to external audiences.
5. Collaboration: Effective at working with others to reach common goals and objectives.

Required qualifications:

1. 5 years of fundraising, Non-profit and/or development experience highly preferred.
2. College degree required, ideally a Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Fund Development, Non-profit management, Communications or related field.
3. Experience in donor cultivation, securing corporate and individual gifts as well as leading successful fundraising events.
4. Excellent verbal and written communications skills, particularly the ability to read, analyze, write, and edit annual fund materials, reports, press releases and correspond with external groups, community members, and media.

Benefits and working conditions:

This is a full-time, salaried position with health, dental and vision benefits ($64,000 to $77,000 annually based on experience). Ability to work independently both on and off site with occasional evenings and weekends required. Lift For Life Gym is a non-profit 501c3 charity located in downtown St. Louis.

For more information visit www.liftforlifegym.org

To apply, send resume, cover letter and salary requirements to: jmiller@liftforlifegym.org