Scion Executive Search (www.scionexecutivesearch.com) has been retained to conduct the search for a Director of Annual Giving & Direct Response at Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) (www.guidedogs.com). This exciting position reports to Interim Chief Philanthropy Officer and is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. This role will be based on-site, roughly 4 days on-site and 1 day telecommuting per week, with the potential to go full-time on-site when COVID restrictions are lifted. So, the candidate would need to be located within commuting distance to GDB’s office in San Rafael, CA.

OVERALL SUMMARY: The Director of Annual Giving & Direct Response is responsible for the development and management of a comprehensive direct mail and digital fundraising program and for the management of GDB’s annual giving program including gift processing and database administration. Reporting to the Interim Chief Program Officer, the Director of Annual Giving & Direct Response will oversee a donation processing staff, a database administrator and GDB’s outside direct response vendor. This role will play an integral role in GDB’s development program by supervising a comprehensive annual giving and direct response fundraising program that will maximize annual support from GDB constituents and supporters using best practices and various marketing channels.

ABOUT: Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) Since 1942, Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) has been creating partnerships between people, dogs, and communities. With exceptional client services and a robust network of instructors, puppy raisers, donors, and volunteers, we prepare highly qualified guide dogs to serve and empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired from throughout the United States and Canada.

All the services for our clients are provided free of charge, including personalized training and extensive post-graduation support, plus financial assistance for veterinary care, if needed. Our work is made possible by the generous support of our donors and volunteers; we receive no government funding.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Guide Dogs for the Blind empowers lives by creating exceptional partnerships between people, dogs, and communities.

POSITION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Direct and manage strategy and execution of GDB’s direct mail, online solicitation, paid digital media and social media fundraising programs.
  • In collaboration with GDB’s outside direct response vendor, development staff and GDB’s marketing team, develop and oversee the communications associated with an annual giving direct response fundraising program…i.e., conceptualize, write, edit, and manage the production of the program.
  • Design systems, schedules, segmentation plans, procedures, and policies to implement the operational requirements of the direct marketing program, including workflow, mailings, and research and computing requirements.
  • Manage the acquisition of new donors and outside vendors.
  • Develop and manage the annual budget plan for direct mail and digital fundraising. 
• Oversee the database administrator and manage systems and software to track and cultivate donors and prospects, including our donor database and wealth screening tools.    
• Manage database maintenance, reporting, gift processing and acknowledgements.
• Support, as needed, fundraising activity including cultivation, solicitation, donor events, stewardship, and campaign fundraising.
• Assist frontline fundraisers with donor research and reports as needed.
• Utilize data to develop metrics for success, track progress, recommend benchmarks, and develop reports for the Interim Chief Program Officer and other senior executives.
• Serve as key operations strategist and work with key members of GDB leadership to develop best practices in gift processing and acknowledgment, funder reports and selected organizational reports.
• Direct and manage the day-to-day work of the annual giving team to support execution of development team goals and objectives.   
• Serve as a key strategist in setting annual and multi-year fundraising targets, annual revenue budgeting and monthly revenue forecasting strategy for the fundraising team.      
• Manage the interface between the development department and accounting on the proper entry, management and tracking of gifts.
• Provide ongoing training to development staff as needed.
• Undertake other duties assigned.

POSITION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in managing an annual giving program including a direct response program. 
• Bachelor’s and advanced degree preferred.
• Raiser’s Edge experience required. Additional experience with Salesforce preferred.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-management experience.
  Service oriented with strong client relationship skills.
• Proven ability to manage teams to success and outside vendors.
• Sound understanding and recognition of the role of direct response fundraising to support development efforts.
• Proven ability to synthesize and analyze data to increase efficiency and efficacy.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, to set and adjust priorities, and work under pressure while maintaining composure and a sense of humor.
• Experience in significant and/or successful fundraising campaigns including capital campaigns and specialized annual giving campaigns (preferred). 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment, meet concurrent deadlines, organize time and priorities, and to do so in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong commitment to GDB’s value and behaviors.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

For this role, GDB offers a competitive annual base salary of $135-150k ++ based on experience plus a robust benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, a 403 (b) retirement plan with employer match, and a generous paid time off program including 11 paid holidays, 11 paid days off, 10 sick days, LOAs, carpool, employee lunch program, employee assistance, employee referral program, school visitation, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs,  dog friendly workplace, and service awards after periods of service to the organization.

HOW TO APPLY:

Scion Executive Search (www.scionexecutivesearch.com) has been retained to lead this search. For immediate consideration please respond to this posting with your resume/curriculum vitae and cover letter in Word.docx or PDF format.

ABOUT OUR FIRM:

Scion Executive Search is a retained executive search firm connecting executive nonprofit leadership to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions across the country. Cultivated in 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.

Additional information about our firm and success can also be found online at www.nonprofitexecutivesearchfirm.com or in the 2010-2020 Business Times list of top staffing firms.

GDB is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Scion Staffing is an Equal Opportunity Employers and does not discriminate based on race, age, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or belief. We are committed to the principles 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.