Director of Development

General Description

The Director of Development is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all of MRI’s fundraising including, the major gifts program, annual fund, planned giving, special events and capital campaigns. The Manager works closely with the President/CEO in all development and fund raising and marketing/PR endeavors. The Director of Development is also responsible for the coordination, implementation and evaluation of public information and education; marketing; resource development; social media maintenance; customer service; and internal communication.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains a system for fund-raising and planned giving activities for agency expansion through private funding opportunities; this system shall include but is not limited to developing and maintaining a donor data base.
• Captivates and maintains personal contact with major benefactors and potential givers to enhance agency resources and services.
• Plans and accomplishes fundraising goals relying on extensive experience and judgment.
• Identifies new donors and organizes initiatives to solicit funding.
• Develops major gift opportunities and writes grant proposals.
• Inspires new supporters to raise money, while maintaining and developing relationships with existing supporters.
• Researches, identifies, and evaluates commercial and service-based work opportunities that align with MRI’s mission.
• Develops and maintains vendor and customer relationships to support ongoing and future business opportunities.
• Manages and updates databases to record donor contact and preference information.
• Plans, develops, implements and evaluates public relations, marketing, web-site maintenance, customer service and development activities for the agency.
• Initiates donor engagement initiatives, such as tours, mailings, e-newsletters or small special events, under the direction of the President/CEO.
• Aids in planning and implementing marketing for special agency programs and events such as United Way Giving Campaign and community partnered events.
• Maintains and builds online presence through variety of social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc.).
• Executes public relations and marketing/fundraising goals set forth in the marketing plan using multiple methods, including website content management, media relations, social media management and design of printed promotional items.
• Administers all policies and procedures as developed by MRI; communicates to staff, interprets as necessary, and confirms compliance.
• Develops managers' and/or supervisors' skills, particularly in the management techniques of planning, organizing, leading, and supervising through continued coaching and feedback performance.
• Recruits, organizes and manages volunteers to carry out various functions within the organization.
• Collaborates with Program/Department Directors to assess needs for information; drafts and presents to the Executive Director public and internal informational materials, agency brochures and public education marketing and web-site materials.
• Develops and maintains a media directory of relevant information on media sources for the area of Decatur and Macon County; prepares press releases and public service announcements for media dissemination.
• Coordinates the development and maintenance of marketing, web-site and audio-visual materials for use in agency public relations, marketing, resource development and educational activities.
• Coordinates the development and timely distribution of the agency annual report, the agency newsletter, and the parent/community newsletter.
• Plans and conducts special events, including tours, special meetings, agency events, public speaking engagements, and expressions of grief.
• Represents the agency in a positive manner at community functions, business meetings, or other activities to provide agency information, public educational materials, or to assist in agency development and marketing responsibilities.
• Assumes the responsibility to attend and complete the initial MRI training requirements (core training and job-specific training).
• On an ongoing basis, attends and participates in any required recertification or refresher sessions and/or other training deemed appropriate by the supervisor and/or the Program/Department Director within specified time frames.
• Participates in agency in-service training sessions as assigned by the supervisor and/or Program/Department Director and/or on a voluntary basis to enhance one's knowledge and skills.
• Drives safely in an official capacity to conduct agency business for MRI and on occasion may provide transportation to individuals/families served; observes all local, state, and federal laws, as well as all agency policies and procedures.
• Practices and enforces MRI Safety Policies and Procedures and assures the safety of staff, persons/families served, agency guests, and agency property.
• Keeps supervisor informed verbally and in writing of problems and activities within assigned area of responsibility; refers matters beyond the limit of authority and expertise to the supervisor for direction.
• Performs special projects or other related work within the scope of the job responsibilities of this position as required or requested.

Non-essential Job Responsibilities

• None

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Public Relations/Development Coordinator

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree is required with a major in the field of communication, public relations and/or a related field and a minimum of two years working experience in the field of public relations, development and/or marketing.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills and must have two or more years of experience in public speaking, writing/editing, and media relations.
• Two or more years of experience in non-profit fundraising and resource development is preferred.
• Knowledge of programs for individuals with a developmental disability is preferred.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and diplomatically in both oral and written form and be able to meet and work with the public.
• Must be able to adapt to frequent change and performs adequately when confronted with critical or unexpected issues; make sound administrative judgments based on sound reasoning in daily and emergency situations.
• Must have reliable transportation to conduct agency business and/or to transport individuals served; must be 21 years of age; must maintain a valid Illinois Driver's License and a good Motor Vehicle Record; and must maintain personal auto insurance with minimum coverage of Bodily Injury-Liability per Person of $100,000 and Liability per Accident of $300,000, Property Liability of $100,000, Medical Payments of $5,000, Uninsured/ Underinsured Person of $100,000 and Accident of $300,000.
• Must be able to manage a 12-month budget.
• Must be able to write grants and develop resources.
• Must be able to summarize, synthesize, and analyze data/information.
• Must be able to provide quality supervision to paraprofessional and professional staff.
• Must be able to perform the following: Lift 40 pounds. Stand or sit for extended periods of time. Full range mobility: push, pull, turn, balance, handle, stoop, kneel, grasp, reach. Good eyesight with depth perception, color vision, eye/hand coordination, acuity-field and acuity-field and acuity-near vision. Good bi-manual hand and finger dexterity; and communicate. Adequate hearing.