Director of Development

The Sacramento SPCA is a vibrant, well-established and respected non-profit animal welfare organization. Through our nationally ranked high-volume spay and neuter clinic (we are ranked as one of the top 10 clinics in the country!), successful adoption program, behavior and training programs and commitment to excellent animal care, the Sacramento SPCA is giving more than shelter and saving animals, one life at a time.

Position Summary:

The Director of Development is responsible for all fundraising initiatives and activities of the organization. They are directly responsible for the meeting of fundraising goals for the Sacramento SPCA. While they may develop more and innovative programs for this income, the basic means for fundraising should include: major gift cultivation, capital campaigns as needed, bequests, guardian program, direct mail, grants, events, and membership. Additionally, the Director of Development should cultivate and maintain relationships with the new and existing donors and supporters.

As a member of the senior management team, the Director of Development participates in strategic planning and budgeting initiatives in addition to problem solving. They work within the guidelines, policies and mission of the organization and will be accountable and responsible for specific projects as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

• In this role, all decisions should be made by balancing the welfare of the organization, the staff, and the animals we serve.
• Works productively and cooperatively with Senior Team to maintain vision, core values, and focus on strategic plan.
• Direct the implementation of all agency fundraising activities.
• Supervise and ensure the coordination within the department of: Events Manager, Events Coordinator, Development Data Coordinator, Development Communication Manager, and Development Assistant.
• Cultivate and nurture relationships with current and potential donors and corporate/foundation supporters.
• Identify potential grant opportunities and supervise grant proposals to ensure that they align with organization goals.
• Develop and grow our individual donor base; manage annual giving; cultivate major gifts.
• Supervise quality control and capacity of data maintained by the fundraising office (Raisers Edge and Blackbaud).
• Develop and implement direct-mail appeals, planned giving program, major gift campaigns, all on-going revenue generating programs, and grant applications.
• Supervise, train, evaluate, and counsel all direct reports.
• Work closely with the Director of Communications and Marketing to facilitate fundraising public relations program through news releases, public service announcements, community bulletins, personal contacts, special features, lectures and media interviews to support the fundraising department. Work together on marketing pieces to support special events and development.
• Committed to the development of direct reports.
• Supervise and coordinate successful annual events including: Gala, Doggy Dash, Big Day of Giving.
• Must have strong communications skills, including writing and editing experience.
• As needed, provide reports to the Board of Directors.
• Responsible for forecasting, planning, and troubleshooting within their department and being aware of trends in the market and shelter.
• Supervise expenditures within approved budgetary limits as related to development, membership and fundraising activities.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Present fundraising, membership development and grant opportunities to the CEO and to the Board of Directors and assist in the coordination of those activities within the guidelines of SSPCA policy.
• Assist the Board of Directors and the CEO in building up the membership base of the Society by actively soliciting new members to the SSPCA and stewarding current members and major donors.
• Regularly conduct and participate in meeting with other members of the senior staff to share ideas and suggestions designed to improve working conditions and the programs of the SSPCA.
• Submit an annual development plan for consideration and prepare periodic reports.
• Ability to get along and work effectively with the public, management, fellow employees, volunteers, and other agencies and groups. Shows respect to others and values staff contributions.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communications, public relations, supervisory and written skills.
• Ability to get along and work effectively with the public, management, fellow employees, volunteers, and other agencies and groups.
• Proven management and leadership capabilities.
• Good computer skills and knowledge of programs such as Word, Excel or similar programs.
• Knowledge of data collection systems (e.g. Raisers Edge and Blackbaud).
• Experience in working with governmental agencies, community groups, volunteers and animal welfare organizations a plus.
• Demonstrated capability to be a self-starter, facilitator, organizer and innovator.
• Ability to plan and implement projects with little supervision and must be able to work independently.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Communications, Business Administration or related field.
• Five years of related experience in fundraising, membership development and special events with specific knowledge and proven ability in planned giving, membership development, corporate and foundation solicitation, and major gifts.
• Capital campaign experience preferred.
• Nonprofit management degree or Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) accreditation
• Minimum of five years experience in development with demonstrated success, preferably in the not-for-profit sector.
• Preferred basic knowledge of sheltering animals.
• Valid California Drivers license, clear driving record for at least one year prior to application.

Physical Requirements:

• Any allergic condition that would be aggravated from exposure or through contact with animals or chemicals used to sanitize facilities, vehicles or equipment, may be a disqualification.
• Use hands/arms for repetitive grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation. This job involves extensive use of computers for analysis, report writing, e-mail communication, as well as the use of telephones.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer with occasional bending, squatting, and lifting items up to 30 pounds.

Working Conditions:

• Office environment, clean, air conditioned.
• May be exposed to challenging behaviors from members of the public. Must be able to respond to an often emotion-charged public and carry a fast-paced and changing workload which at times can be stressful.
• By nature of the industry, there may be occasional exposure to dead, injured, sick, unruly, vicious, and/or dangerous animals in addition to exposure to parasites and to infectious diseases.
• Must be available and willing to work such weekends, holidays, overtime, and attend mandatory training and meetings as the employer determines necessary or desirable to meet its business needs