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Seattle

Chief Development Officer, Mary's Place

The Organization

Mary’s Place is the largest Family Shelter provider in King County, Washington. We provide safe, inclusive shelter and services for women, children, and families on their journey out of homelessness. For over two decades, Mary’s Place has been implementing innovative programs to move women and families out of homelessness and into housing.

As a Mary’s Place team member, you can look forward to interesting and challenging work, and building strong relationships with fellow employees as well as our network of volunteers, partners, and providers.

Position Overview

Mary’s Place is seeking a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead our development team to meet our current annual fundraising goal of $15 million in support of our $17 million annual operating budget. Reporting to the Executive Director and part of our Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the CDO will provide strategic oversight and direction of all lines of fundraising including strategic events; development operations including data management and gift processing; and volunteer programs. The CDO manages the Development team of 11 staff (6 reporting directly to the CDO).
The CDO will have frontline fundraising responsibilities, including managing a portfolio of donors and securing and stewarding five- and six-figure gifts.

They will also support the Executive Director and members of the Board of Directors and the Fund Development Committee in cultivating and soliciting major gifts and grants. Additional responsibilities include identifying new prospective donors and strategic resource development opportunities, and effectively communicating the Mary’s Place story and case for support to a variety of audiences.

Our ideal candidate will have a passion for our mission, proven success meeting bold fundraising goals, and a history of building donor-centered relationships that deepen engagement with mission and organization support. Optimism, persistence, transparency, adaptability and comfort working in a complex and evolving organization are essential qualities.

Valuing diversity and championing equity are core values at Mary’s Place. This position requires critical thinking and analysis through a racial equity lens, as well as demonstration of compassion, understanding and empathy while working with diverse staff, guests and community partners in a multi-racial and multi-cultural environment.

The CDO annual salary range is $95,000 – $110,000 DOE. This position is also eligible for a discretionary bonus at the end of the financial year (July 1 – June 30), with bonus criteria based on meeting both team and individual goals. This position is also eligible for a discretionary bonus at the end of the financial year (July 1 – June 30), with bonus criteria based on meeting both team and individual goals.

Requirements

  • Develop and lead a comprehensive and diverse fund development strategy to sustain and grow the revenue of Mary’s Place, enabling us to meet the significant and growing need for our services.
  • Provide direction and oversight of all lines of fundraising managed by development staff, including corporate, foundation and individual giving, government grants, strategic annual events, and strategic in-kind and pro bono contributions. Working together with staff and leadership, set goals and develop strategies that will expand and diversify our fundraising portfolio, donor engagement, cultivation and stewardship activities to help us meet increasing fundraising goals year-over-year.
  • Develop and manage the annual fundraising budget and work plan, providing input into annual goals and reforecasting, tracking progress throughout the year, and leading team-wide efforts to respond to new opportunities and modify strategies to address potential budget shortfalls.  Ensure that fundraising expenses are managed to budget.
  • Motivate and inspire our 11-person development team to work with persistence, accountability, collaboration and integrity to strengthen Mary’s Place relationships within the community and enhance our profile as an accountable partner in impactful philanthropy. Encourage and model formal and informal cross-team collaboration and camaraderie.
  • Supervise 6 members of the team as direct reports, providing direction and support for their goals, strategies and progress throughout the year. Meet regularly with each direct report to review metrics, plans and progress toward goals. Assist with decision making and be a conduit to the Executive Director and ELT as needed.
  • Report development team activity and progress against goals to the Executive Director, ELT, Board of Directors and Fund Development Committee. Prepare and present Development Report at Board meetings. Be accountable to direction and input from leadership to build on our strengths and address challenges. Communicate organizational news, updates and priorities from the ELT and Board back to the development team.
  • Manage a portfolio of 75-100 strategic donors and prospects for significant engagement through personal visits and meetings with the Executive Director and/or members of the Board. Develop a personal fundraising plan for cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities throughout the year. Identify and cultivate new relationships to expand our portfolio of major and principal donors. Follow development team standards for accurate documentation of fundraising activity and other operational processes.
  • Support the Vice Chair for Fund Development in reinvigorating the Fund Development Committee, recruiting new members, setting goals and staffing the ongoing work of the committee.
  • Provide strategic oversight of our annual Luncheon, Gala, No Child Sleeps Outside year-end campaign, and other strategic fundraising campaigns and events, helping us navigate the changing landscape for events in light of COVID-19. Support the recruitment and stewardship of committee chairs and key volunteers, as well as the participation of our Board members, to lay the groundwork for event success.
  • Provide strategic oversight of our operational systems and procedures for donor gratitude and stewardship, data management and gift processing, ensuring that the team is accountable to industry standards and best practices, as well as the Donor Bill of Rights.
  • Provide strategic oversight of our Corporate Volunteer Engagement and Volunteer Services programs that match members of the community with remote and (when available) in-person opportunities to volunteer their time and talent.
  • Be a collaborative and supportive partner of peers on the Executive Leadership Team, along with members of their teams, to ensure mutual success responding to the growing and evolving needs of supportive services for women, children and families experiencing homelessness.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

  • Annual revenue goal is met or exceeded.
  • Individual goals and work plans are in place for each member of the development team, and quarterly progress checks and annual performance reviews are completed.
  • Donor retention targets are met or exceeded.
  • Fundraising and data management policies and procedures are in place and reviewed on an annual basis.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • An optimistic, goal-oriented, adaptable leader with at least 10 years of experience in a philanthropy or development role.
  • Proven success in implementing successful fundraising strategies and building productive, long-term relationships with organizational leaders, volunteers and donors.
  • Success cultivating and securing five- and six-figure gifts for a $10+ million nonprofit organization.
  • At least 5 years of direct supervisory experience, with a strong preference for experience managing a team of fundraisers. Experience managing a team remotely and implementing new ways of working in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is optimal.
  • Demonstrated ability to exude compassion, understanding and empathy while working with diverse staff, guests, volunteers and donors in a multi-racial and multi-cultural environment.
  • Proven success building a collaborative and results-oriented team culture, and inspiring and motivating employees to meet ambitious goals.
  • Experience creating and managing budgets, using financial analysis and reporting to inform strategic decisions, and assessing and measuring results.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and assignments, meet tight deadlines, coordinate and communicate effectively, in a fast-paced and compassionate work environment.
  • Excellent written and oral communication and public speaking skills.
  • Excellent working knowledge of fundraising software applications, preferably Raiser’s Edge.
  • Proficiency with Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
  • Ability to work non-standard hours, including evenings, weekends and periods of high-intensity to meet project demands.
  • Valid driver’s license, reliable access to a car, and proof of car insurance.

How To Apply

Applications accepted until the position is filled. Please submit your cover letter and resumes to our careers page at: https://bit.ly/MPCareersPage

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