Development Director

SUMMARY

The Development Director serves as the organization’s point person in curating and conveying the public image of CDR through traditional and social media, our websites, and email. The position is a critical part of the External Affairs team, helping develop and implement an integrated messaging campaign to enhance the organization’s brand and win advocacy campaigns that improve the lives of the Disability Community in Rochester, across New York, and throughout the country.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising Strategies and Relationship Development:

• Work with senior management, the Development Committee and Board of Directors to establish and implement an annual Development Plan with goals, objectives and measurable targets that includes paid memberships, individual donations, special events, grants, sponsorships, in-kind donations, and an Annual Giving Campaign.
• Innovate and adapt fundraising approaches in response to a complex and evolving philanthropic and political landscape.
• Cultivate and maintain potential and existing funders, providing timely updates, engagement opportunities, and renewal strategies.
• Oversee CDR’s development calendar, including tracking grant deadlines, report submissions, and donor communications.
• Work with program and administrative management to develop and respond to grant solicitations.
• Solicit, develop, and maintain individual and corporate sponsorships.

Event and Gift Planning and Operationalization

• Lead all special events, including management of pre-event and day-of logistics.
• Work with management to ensure the agency presence and representation at key community events.
• Coordinate a Speaker’s Bureau that includes a diverse representation of employees, board members, and volunteers to educate the community about the organizations, the work we do and the impact we have on Disabled individuals, their families and the community at large; Coordinate and provide office and site tours for visitors and special or invited guests.
• Ensure accurate gift processing, including timely gift documentation, acknowledgement and reporting.
• Solicit needed in-kind donations.

Organizational Integration and Promotion

• Working with leadership and communications, oversee development and production of promotional materials and content, ensuring that the messaging is consistent with the organization’s mission and values.
• Manage and supervise Development team staff.
• Coordinate organizational advertising and digital marketing;
• Work with leadership and communications staff to highlight CDR’s accomplishments, enhance organizational visibility, and strengthen messaging to funders and the community.
• Provide staff support to the Development Committee, including preparation of relevant reports.
• Provide proactive feedback and communication to the Vice President for External Affairs and engage with leadership in problem-solving.

Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Dedicated fundraising experience of at least three years, with a strong preference for someone with a deep understanding of the experience of disability with a preference for lived or personal experience.
• Strong leadership, managerial and project management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• A self-starter and creative thinker that is detail-oriented with a proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Passion for disability rights and independent living.