Scion Executive Search (www.scionexecutivesearch.com) has been retained to conduct a search on behalf of our client, a nonprofit organization that expands the number of K-12 students in San Francisco's Mission District who are ready for and able to fully achieve a college education.

Position Summary: Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Development Officer sets bold fundraising goals and leads both development and marketing/communications teams to successfully meet those targets. These fundraising goals can include, among others, a three-year strategic growth capital campaign, and oversight of individual, institutional (foundations), corporate, and special event fundraising. The CDO serves as a public ambassador for the organization by effectively inspiring, educating, and engaging a diverse stakeholder community in service of its vision, mission, and goals.

Key responsibilities fall into the following categories:

Establish, drive and oversee achievement of organizational fundraising goals

• Lead the Development team (5 FTE) to identify, cultivate and steward strategic relationships with a diverse array of funders to meet or exceed a $2.5 M annual revenue plan;
• In partnership with the executive team, determine appropriate fundraising targets for private philanthropy and public agencies, in accordance with the strategic plan;
• Oversee successful implementation of a $15M growth capital campaign to support the organization’s strategic plan;
• Set clear, achievable team goals and ensure staff have resources, access, and professional development opportunities to perform at high levels;
• Engage the Board of Directors in developing the plan for meeting fundraising and communication goals, and leveraging the time, talent and generosity of board members;
• Personally oversee a portfolio of key individual and institutional supporters;
• Represent the organization at major events and conferences.

Oversee multi-stakeholder communication strategy

• Lead the Marketing & Communications team (1.0 FTE) to ensure that messaging and communication efforts reflect brand positioning in all channels (website, social media, collateral and campaigns) and drive improved results with donors, alumni, higher education partners, and early childhood leaders;
• Ensure effective internal communications strategy that enhances connection and supports organizational culture in multiple school sites and programs across the City of San Francisco;
• Act as editor-in-chief for internal and external communications;
• Maintain a deep understanding of the college going culture in order to proactively respond to opportunities and challenges, and position the organization as a leading solutions provider and thought leader.

Contribute to overall organizational success

• In collaboration with the Board and Executive team, execute on the organization’s strategic plan with an eye towards remaining nimble and able to take advantage of opportunities as they are presented;
• Live out the organization’s values both internally and externally;
• Contribute to organization’s fiscal health, strategy, culture and morale;
• Act as conduit of key insights from stakeholders to Board and senior leadership to inform organizational imperatives and priorities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in a nonprofit organization; demonstrated success in a development function (managing and forging relationships with multiple donor sources).
• Tangible experience of having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long?term relationships.
• Strong organizational, leadership and mentoring skills.
• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
• Ability to work both independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside of the organization.
• Knowledge of donor database management – preferably a detailed knowledge of Salesforce software.
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred. CFRE designation a plus.
• High energy and passion for the organization’s mission is essential.
• Ability to construct, articulate, and implement annual strategic development plan.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Customer focus; donor centric vision.
• A professional and resourceful style; takes initiative, and is able to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

A Visionary Fundraiser

The ideal candidate will be an experienced fundraiser with the development knowledge and skills needed to meet or exceed a $2.5M annual revenue plan with a diverse array of funders. They will bring a robust network and proven track record of success in setting and meeting strategic goals with a team. Fueled by a strong intrinsic motivation, they will be able to artfully lead and deploy senior staff and Board members to support fundraising efforts. Their innate ability to be flexible and adapt to a dynamic funder landscape will help them set successful strategies and deliver on fundraising targets for themselves and their team.

A Strategic Communicator

The ideal candidate has successfully used messaging and communication efforts to support a strategic vision and drive measurable results with external stakeholders. A strategic storyteller, they understand how to use communications to craft a narrative to support the work of an organization. With experience growing an organization’s brand, they can work across all departments of an organization to ensure alignment of messaging through a variety of media channels, such as web-based, donor-specific, and social media. As a natural ambassador, they can clearly and concisely communicate an organization’s mission with nuanced consistency across a range of audiences, including donors, government funders, institutional partners, community stakeholders, and peers in education.

Collaborative Leadership

The ideal candidate will support the executive team to set vision, culture and priorities for the team and across the organization’s sites. They have experience supporting high-performing teams to meet ambitious goals, ideally across multiple departments and during times of change. With a learning orientation and a growth mindset, they will be highly collaborative, skilled at managing in all directions and will approach others with a deep level of respect and curiosity. Flexible and not afraid of change, they are constantly ready to seek out strategic opportunities and proactively respond to challenges to move the organization and its mission forward.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a passion for the organization’s mission and be motivated to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and communities. Core to this mission is a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This person must demonstrate a successful track record in advancing organizational DEI objectives and influencing others to approach all work with an equity lens. This individual will ideally bring experience developing and promoting DEI initiatives across an organization.

Building Relationships and Using Influence

The CDO must be able to build and sustain excellent relationships at multiple levels internally and externally and must demonstrate emotional intelligence, a high level of cultural fluency and a deep respect for the communities and partners that the organization works with. In addition, they must readily be able to understand how to nurture and leverage external constituencies, including network partners, donors, and advocates. They will be an excellent and persuasive communicator with exceptional written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills, and the ability to inspire an atmosphere of collaboration and partnership across and beyond the organization.

Compensation:

$140,000-145,000/yr. + robust benefits

How to Apply:

For immediate consideration, please submit your resume and cover letter here: https://www.scionstaffing.com/job/6668

About Our Firm:

Scion Executive Search is a retained executive search firm connecting executive nonprofit leadership to nonprofit organizations and foundations across the country. Born out of the nonprofit sector, we provide expert search strategies and leadership for your organization. Our executive candidates are true agents for change, and we are experts at matching their talents, motivations, and passions to your organization’s mission. Scion Executive Search has led hundreds of successful executive searches. Information about our firm and successes can be found online at https://www.scionexecutivesearch.com.

Scion is an equal opportunity employer and service provider committed to not discriminate based on age, race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation or belief. We are committed to the principals of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and for the candidates we represent.