Senior Director of Development

Safer Foundation seeks a Senior Director of Development, an accomplished, senior level development professional with a strong business acumen, a team player who will join forces with fellow staff to champion the cause and fully embraces its important mission. Paramount to the challenge, the Senior Director of Development will possess an understanding of the criminal justice system vis-à-vis the organization’s impact in the community from a human and social services perspective. The successful candidate will be collaborative, entrepreneurial, optimistic, patient, persistent and respectful in their quest to raise new awareness and funding support in a transformative and motivating work environment.

 

The Senior Director of Development is responsible for identifying and developing funding sources, increasing contract and contributed income, nurturing key relationships, and setting a development agenda that promotes Safer’s interests and utilizes its resources and expertise. The position reports to the Vice President of Public Policy and External Relations.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES     

 

Leadership and Planning

·        Create and implement a major gifts program to expand the cultivation and engagement of new partners within the private sector to expand the organization’s base of funding support.

·        Prepare and deliver accurate market forecasts in a timeframe that allows the opportunity to make strategic business decisions.

·        Develop and maintain productive and respectful relationships with colleagues, the Board, volunteers, donors, prospects, team members, the philanthropic community and other related constituency groups.

·        Serves as an organizational resource by providing appropriate training and support to the staff, Board members, and others involved in fundraising.

 

Fund Development

·        Responsible for a portfolio consisting primarily of donors and prospective donors in order to focus heavily on Major Gift cultivation and solicitation from corporations and foundations.

·        Plan and implement an annual major donor cultivation and solicitation strategy to secure funding for organizational priorities and to reach annual budgeted goals.

·        Engage Development staff as well as leadership team in major gift fundraising activities, strategically using natural partners to build and sustain a productive and successful major gift fundraising culture.

·        Ensure all development and fundraising activities support the mission, philosophy, and real needs of clients, customers and stakeholders.

Specific Requirements Include:

·        Passion for the mission and ability to raise public awareness of the organization’s existence, mission, accomplishments, benefits, and visions for the future

·        7 to 10 years of development experience, including working knowledge of annual giving, capital campaigns, foundation/corporate solicitations, deferred giving, communications, and special events with proven success in securing major gifts at the five and six-figure level

·        Exceptional ability to engage, build and sustain relationships both internally and externally

·        Demonstrated experience in driving results via highly rated prospects and donors

·        Effective application, knowledge and understanding of appropriate development techniques and fundraising best practices to interact capably with donors and secure a steady stream of revenue

·        Ability to meet revenue goals and objectives

·        Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to tailor compelling messages to various audiences

·        Outstanding planning and project management skills, plus, knowledge of marketing strategies and techniques

·        Local travel, with evening and weekend hours, consistent with a frontline fundraising role

·        Bachelor’s Degree

 

Safer Foundation helps formerly incarcerated individuals re-enter their communities and has been working nearly 40 years to reduce recidivism by helping people with a criminal record to find gainful employment and provide them with access to greatly needed educational and supportive social services. Offering a broad range of programs to more than 12,000 individuals annually, their service area encompasses the Chicago Metropolitan area, the Quad City areas of Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. Today, Safer Foundation remains the only nonprofit organization to manage adult transition centers for the Illinois Department of Corrections, and since 1972, it is recognized as a national leader in programs focusing on productive employment and community reentry for these parolees and probationers. Safer Foundation also provides considerable relief to the state’s economy, saving taxpayers millions of dollars when their clients find employment.

 

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply online with their cover letter and resume at http://ag-es.kintera.org/applicant.  Inquiries will be held in strict confidence. Questions regarding the position may be addressed via email only to Kathrene Wales at kwales@alford.com. For a complete Opportunity Guide, please visit www.ag-es.com.

 

This position offers an attractive salary with excellent benefits. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence. Safer Foundation’s main offices are housed 1 mile from Chicago’s downtown Loop area in a four-story, 12,000-square-foot brick building, located at 571 West Jackson Blvd.

 

Safer Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. The organization values diversity and believes that a diverse staff, with diverse talents advances organizational, strategic and community goals. Safer Foundation is a drug-free workplace. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V