Development Director (Director of Mission Advancement)

Position Overview:

The Director of Mission Advancement exemplifies the mission, values, and charism of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia consistently in both operational and relational aspects of job fulfillment.  She or he serves as the chief fundraising officer for the foundation, who is tasked with developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising plan.  The Director of Mission Advancement works collaboratively with the Board of Trustees, the congregational minister, and the foundation staff to identify goals aimed at ensuring the foundation’s long-term financial stability and viability. 

Essential Functions:

• Identifies annual and long-term fundraising goals.
• Identifies, implements, and evaluates initiatives aimed at maximizing financial support by nurturing, strengthening, and expanding the donor base with a particular focus on attracting younger donors.
• Initiates and manages various avenues for fundraising including, but not limited to, major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation gifts, annual fund, direct mail, memorials and memorial gifts, special events, donations, in-kind contributions, and grants.
• Directs, oversees, implements, and evaluates all fundraising activities to achieve
• Attends meetings with Board of Trustees for the purpose of reporting activities and results, to collaborate regarding strategic planning, to establish priorities, and to gain input and garner support for future initiatives and activities.
• Maintains ongoing communication with congregational leadership to report activities, results, overall impact, or areas of concern. Seeks input and guidance as needed. 
• Develops the annual budget in consultation with finance director/assistant finance director and monitors expenses accordingly to inform future budgeting requirements.
• Analyzes metrics (giving trends and results from fundraising initiatives) to determine success of efforts. Utilizes this data to drive future initiatives, inclusive of sustaining or expanding some, adaptation of cessation of others, and identification of new opportunities; enacts plans accordingly.
• Nurtures current donor base to encourage ongoing giving. Ensures donor relationships remain viable and that donors are appropriately recognized. 
• Identifies new constituents of potential donors and targets activities to attract and sustain their support.
• Oversees donor data management; ensures data integrity, accuracy, security, and privacy.
• Oversees marketing and social media for the foundation, working in collaboration with the communications department.
• Hires, supervises, mentors, and evaluates foundation staff.
• Maximizes foundation staff skills to streamline operations, optimize efficiency, and ensure superior service.
• Identifies grant funding opportunities and oversees grant submission and allocation.   
• Initiates direct mail activities and oversees the development of communication pieces; measures return on investment of direct mail initiatives and adjusts efforts accordingly.
• Ensures the timely, accurate, and appropriate issuance of gift acknowledgement letters.
• Stays abreast of best practices and emerging trends by networking with other fundraising professionals, participating in professional associations, and participating in workshops, webinars and other educational opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Deep commitment to honoring the mission, values, and charism of the Sisters of St. Francis in all work engagements and relationships.
• Bachelor's degree. Additional certifications in non-profit management and/or ongoing fundraising education a plus.
• 5+ years of experience as a Development or Advancement Director with a proven track record of expanding the donor base and increasing financial contributions.
• Prior experience in planned giving, direct mail, special events, memorials and memorial gifts, in-kind contributions, grants, and major gifts.
• Supervisory competency with the ability to mentor staff and to maximize their potential while collectively achieving departmental goals.
• Budgeting proficiency with a fundamental understanding of financial concepts and best practices.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve impactful results.
• Analytical skills including the ability to interpret data to drive plans and to establish priorities.
• Ability to develop and apply creative approaches and solutions to fundraising efforts and goals.
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written. Ability to write in an engaging, compelling, and persuasive manner.
• Presentation/public speaking skills and the ability to effectively articulate the mission and needs of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in a meaningful way.
• Ability to be gently persuasive to encourage commitments to donate to the foundation.
• Exemplary work ethic and a high level of self-motivation.
• Ability to effectively prioritize work efforts and to manage time wisely.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of individuals and to foster positive working relationships.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft office programs and working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge preferred.
• Membership and active involvement in fundraising association professional associations.
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends for sponsored events, to attend Board of Trustee meetings, for donor meeting/networking purposes, or to attend professional association meetings, seminars, and/or professional conferences.
• Reliable personal vehicle for use in driving to off-site meetings and events.