Development Director

General Job Description

The Development Director leads the Development Department and works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to oversee, manage, and execute all aspects of the BSC’s expanding development and alumni relations program. While the Development Director reports to the Executive Director, the Development Director is expected to work closely with and develop meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, and the student leadership, both at the Board and unit-level. The Development Director must have enthusiasm for working in a student-run organization, a genuine interest in student leadership development, a desire to collaborate with a diverse array of stakeholders, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

The Development Director must be able to think strategically and practically to implement a comprehensive and results-oriented development plan that includes traditional and innovative strategies that reflect the BSC’s values as both a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization and a student-run cooperative. They are responsible for evaluating the BSC’s needs and goals in development and alumni relations and for directing the operational activities necessary to support our development and alumni relations program. This position reports to the Executive Director and sits on the External Affairs Committee (EACom) of the Board of Directors.

Specific Duties

• Fundraising & Alumni Engagement
  • Develop, implement, and monitor progress toward short- and long-term fundraising strategy and goals, including:
    • Recruit, develop and retain a large base of individual annual donors.
    • Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with a core group of major donors.
    • Advertise and build support for the BSC’s planned giving program.
    • Identify and pursue opportunities for foundation, corporate, and University grants and other fundraising opportunities, when appropriate.
    • Evaluate development and alumni relations activities, identify systems and infrastructure needs, and implement improvements.
    • Establish goals and metrics to track and regularly report on alumni engagement and fundraising activities as required in the Development Plan and/or by EACom.
    • Work with the Executive Director and EACom to regularly review and update the BSC Development Plan, including key objectives and strategies for alumni engagement and fundraising.
  • Provide leadership, develop the strategy for, and oversee the execution of the BSC’s annual giving campaigns as specified in the Development Plan. Coordinate additional campaigns as necessary and/or as directed by Board.
  • Build opportunities and programs for student leadership and engagement in development and alumni relations.
  • Oversee and coordinate the execution of events and other experiences designed to provide a variety of engagement opportunities for alumni and community members to build affinity for the BSC and its mission, as outlined in the annual Development Plan.
• External Communications
  • In conjunction with the Executive Director and EACom, advise and provide leadership in guiding the BSC’s external communication strategy, including:
    • Clearly articulate and promote a strong case for the BSC’s mission and social justice cause.
    • Consult and assist in developing and refining the BSC’s key messaging and branding, including communications that create awareness for the organization, celebrate its work and the experiences of students, and educate the community on the BSC’s role in expanding access to higher education.
    • Solicit content and develop impactful messaging and marketing for the BSC including, but not limited to an annual report, annual giving campaigns, alumni newsletters, email communications, letters, holiday cards, and other written communications.
    • Develop and execute social media strategies that support fundraising and other organizational priorities.
• Mission-Building
  • In collaboration with the Executive Director, EACom, the Board of Directors, and other student leaders, build opportunities to create and sustain an organization wide culture that highlights the relationship between philanthropy, the BSC’s student-run cooperative structure, and the BSC’s social justice mission.
• Development Operations & Administration
  • Oversee the administrative functions necessary to the smooth functioning of the Development Department, including:
    • Oversee data entry and gift processing and ensure the regular reconciliation of records with the Accounting Department.
    • Develop and manage the annual Development budget and provide recommendations to the Capital & Finance Committee during the budgeting process each Spring semester.
    • Provide recommendations, input, and coordination in order to ensure the Development Department has the IT tools necessary to meet its fundraising and alumni relations needs, including donation platforms.
    • Oversee the management of the BSC alumni and donor management database.
    • Regularly evaluate and identify opportunities for technical and/or data integrity improvements to the database.
    • Advise and engage with consultants to continue to develop and expand the capabilities of the database.
  • Recruit, train, mentor, supervise, and support the student staff positions within the Development Department.
• Program Management
  • Oversee the administration of the BSC’s scholarship program, including advertising, selection of scholarship recipients, thank you cards for donors, and scholarship reception events.
• Relationship With the Board
  • Advise and serve as a resource to EACom and the Board of Directors by engaging in professional development and consistently researching, staying abreast of, and providing trainings on trends in alumni engagement and fundraising in the nonprofit community.
• Other duties as required by the Board of Directors, BSC policies and/or as assigned by the Executive Director.

Knowledge/Skills Expected for Job Performance

• Proven track record of fundraising success, particularly securing major gifts, successfully managing campaigns, and engaging a community of motivated supporters.
• Working knowledge of development best practices, trends in development for nonprofits, and fundraising tools and technology.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects with attention to detail. This includes creating work plans, periodic reporting, evaluations, budgeting, record-keeping, and written and oral presentations.
• Experience (and enjoyment) in managing and working with people.
• Familiarity with and the ability to manage both general database systems, as well as specialized fundraising software.
• Intermediate skill in both using and managing the effective use by others of computer applications to achieve business results (e.g. with Microsoft Office, Google suite, business database programs, online business applications, email, etc.)
• Excellent management/supervisory skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to cope with and resolve conflict.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced office environment.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to develop familiarity with, have respect for and apply consistently, a complex set of organizational policies dealing with the areas of responsibility for this position.
• Basic knowledge of personnel policy and practices.
• Ability to analyze problems/issues, gather data and information, evaluate and recommend alternative solutions, or effect solutions with a tolerance for ambiguity and change, when necessary.
• Dedication to creating a cooperative, collaborative, creative and highly productive work environment.
• A mission driven approach to work, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to the BSC and its specific mission of providing affordable, quality, cooperative housing to a population that needs help in order to afford higher education.
• Enthusiasm for working in a student-run organization and genuine interest in student development.
• Deep appreciation and understanding of the BSC’s mission and the ability to articulate its values and vision internally and externally.

Entrance Level Experience/Education Required

• BA or BS degree or equivalent.
• At least three years of comparable experience and demonstrated success in alumni engagement, development, and implementing marketing, capital campaigns, and/or fundraising programs for non-profit organizations, ideally for a mid- to large-size non-profit.
• Previous experience with general database systems as well as specialized fundraising software.
• At least two years of previous supervisory experience.
• Combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for the above requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework at or above the undergraduate level in business administration, communications, marketing, non-profit management or other relevant fields.
• Previous experience working closely with a Board of Directors.
• Previous experience recruiting and managing volunteers.
• Previous experience working with alumni groups.
• Previous experience living in and/or working with cooperatives.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to sit for long hours and sustain long hours of computer and keyboard use.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends to attend Board/committee meetings and/or events on a regular basis.
• Occasional travel to support donor cultivation and development events.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time exempt position, with compensation based on prior experience and skill level. The starting salary range is from $84,947 to $93,641 annually. Benefits and other conditions of employment are pursuant to a union contract, which currently provides for annual cost-of-living increases, annual performance-based raises and/or bonuses, paid health and dental insurance for employee and dependents, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, long-term disability and life insurance, and a generous retirement benefits program.

To Apply

To be considered for this position, you must submit with the application the following: your resume, a cover letter summarizing your qualifications (required), and a list of three professional references to our Career Center.

The BSC is an Equal Opportunity EMployer

The BSC encourages applications from those formerly incarcerated, people of color, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and women.