Director of Development, Major Gifts

Director of Development, Major Gifts

This is a hybrid position, and you have the option to elect to a 9/80 flex work schedule.

The pay range for this role is between $119,000-$130,000 annually.

Ask us about loan repayment programs you may qualify for by working at Didi Hirsch.

About Didi Hirsch

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care, and substance use services since 1942 and is home to the nation's first Suicide Prevention Center. We are a nonprofit organization providing care to about 270,000 people annually across our programs. Didi Hirsch has deep roots in community-based mental health and a commitment to providing culturally responsive services that are just and equitable. More than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers make Didi Hirsch's work possible.

Summary

As the Director of Development, Major Gifts, you will play a critical role in advancing Didi Hirsch's individual and major gifts strategy as a key member of the Development team. You will manage and steward a portfolio of approximately 200-250 donors, developing and executing tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies to move prospects toward established fundraising goals. You will serve as the primary relationship manager for these donors, assign engagement activities to staff and volunteers as appropriate, and ensure timely, effective follow-through. In close partnership with the Senior Director of Development, you will also support organizational leadership and collaborate with the Board of Directors to cultivate strong donor relationships and drive overall fundraising success.

Primary Duties

• Develops and oversees comprehensive plans for individual donors at all levels (including major events and campaigns throughout the year) and in close collaboration with other members of the Development team as applicable.
• Identifies and cultivates donor prospects, utilizing 1-on-1 visits, site tours, events, and leverages relationships of the board, CEO, and Senior Director of Development to achieve fundraising targets.
• Responsible for creating and implementing effective strategies and systems to raise a total of $1,500,000+ from individual donors annually.
• Takes the lead on developing and implementing fundraising cultivation events, including working with donors, the Event Manager and other team members to ensure successful events.
• Partners with communications and marketing team to plan and design strategic stewardship materials, cultivation events, and fundraising appeals.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Development, recommends short- and long-term fund development plans to retain and increase giving from individual donors.
• Ensures all major donors receive appropriate, consistent engagement/acknowledgement and updates on the impact that their gifts have on community needs.
• Stays informed about programmatic activities, maintaining the capacity to converse with donors regarding our work as well as develop written cultivation and stewardship materials that relay the work and impact effectively.
• Provides strategic guidance to direct report(s) and to staff whose work is tangential to or directly engaged in fundraising.
• With support from the development operations team, measures, tracks and reports progress against revenue targets and other established metrics (such as new donors, retained donors, cultivation moves, etc.), as well as ensure gift compliance.
• Provides staff support for the board committees related to fundraising activities, as assigned.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and 7-10 years of experience years of progressive responsibility and fundraising experience with individual and major gifts.
• Working knowledge of and experience with the principles and practices of fundraising within a multi-faceted and multi-program organization.
• An ability to attend in person donor meetings and events.
• Proven skills in developing sophisticated strategies in planning, implementing and administering major gift solicitations or other solicitations of a similar nature, level and complexity.
• Strong documented record of gifts solicited and closed ranging from campaigns, annual appeals, and events to more complex solicitations.
• A working knowledge of communications, events, and development practices in a nonprofit environment, preferably including experience in an organization providing direct human services.
• Compelling and inspirational communicator with outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate persuasively about Didi Hirsch's fundraising goals and priorities with the equal ability to listen perceptively and convey sensitivity and awareness.
• Adeptness at establishing priorities, manage multiple tasks and multi-phase projects simultaneously from inception to completion and complete work within deadlines with minimum supervision.
• Experience conceptualizing, planning and implementing special events as well as planned & targeted mail and email solicitations to an existing donor base.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to work harmoniously with organizational leadership, program teams, and other development staff toward the accomplishment of fundraising goals.
• Experience working with donor software and moves management.
• Values-driven individual with track record of achievement and proven ability to innovate and manage towards ambitious goals.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team effort.
• Ability to imagine, research, develop and coherently propose new ways to engage prospective and current major donors.
• Strong supervisory skills to lead a small team.
• Adhere to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Principals and Standards.
• A commitment to team objectives and Didi Hirsch philosophies.
• Ability to adapt to changing needs by acquiring new skills and knowledge.
• Current California driver's license and a driving record acceptable to the Agency's insurance carrier.