Development Specialist

Development Specialist

Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Senior Director of Development

Date: May 2024

Each day at Volunteers of America, we strive to exemplify our foundational pillar of Servant Leadership and Cultural Values of Communication, Compassion, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence.

At VOA we are committed to providing opportunities that help staff grow and enhance their skill sets. As part of this commitment, we invest in on-the-job training to prepare employees for their new positions and offer professional development opportunities, coaching, and career pathways to promote our culture of helping staff advance their careers throughout the organization.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary/Objective

The Development Specialist leads all fundraising events and effectively implements strategies to recruit, cultivate, solicit, and steward constituents. This position is responsible for managing the rising, mid-level, and corporate donors - developing them into major donors. The Development Specialist is responsible for working with the development team to raise funds necessary to meet the organization's budget needs. This position will use our database extensively for engagement strategies, event management, and tracking actions with constituents and prospective donors.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the coordination, planning, and execution of all fundraising events, including but not limited to:

• Manage logistics of events

• Create and lead volunteer committees, and coordinate volunteers for events

• Establish and cultivate relationships with sponsors

• Manage vendor and venue arrangements

• Manage execution of the event and act as primary point-of-contact on the day of the event

• Market events through collaboration with the communications team

• Understand and utilize the Blackbaud donor database

• Perform routine functions in a database such as gift management and constituent records as needed by the Advancement team

• Provide administrative support regarding the donor database including but not limited to list pulls, queries, data refresh, and batch data entry

• Update and maintain the donor database, ensuring user compliance with all business processes and procedures while optimizing data health

• Market, manage, and coordinate regular tours across the region

• Manage a portfolio of mid-level, church and business sponsors

• Assist with the production of direct mail campaigns

• Manage donor acquisition and peer-to-peer fundraising, working with the development team

• Work within the established annual fundraising plan and adhere to the policies and procedures of the organization

• Have a comprehensive understanding of the programs of VOA and be able to speak to the mission, vision, and values of the organization

Competencies

• Effective communicator with both oral, written, and interpersonal abilities

• Keen ability to build and maintain prosperous relationships with various stakeholders

• Solutions-based consultation and ethical practice

• Goal-driven and agile in a fast-paced work environment

• Out-going personality with positivity and energy to spare

• Continually presents as professional, proactive, tactful, and diplomatic

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with a high level of professionalism

• Continuous demonstration of behaviors aligned with a posture of servant leadership and our cultural values

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but may serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the organization.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptops, photocopiers, and smartphones.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift, open filing cabinets and bend, stand or stoop as necessary.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel

This position requires travel within the organization's geographic region, working with prospective and current donors, coordinating fundraising events, and supporting fundraising volunteers in various communities.

Required Education, Experience, or Eligibility Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or five years of experience related to the duties listed or in a closely related field.

• Two or more years of experience related to duties listed or in a closely related field.

• Solid ability in word processing and spreadsheet software required.

• Must be comfortable in front of people and highly interactive with others.

• Must be able to present in a consistently professional manner.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master's degree in a relative field.

• Five or more years of experience related to the duties listed or in a closely related field.

• Previous work in events and fundraising is highly preferred. Relevant experience may include annual campaigns, direct mail, mid-level donor programs, sustainer donor programs, and major gift programs.

• Database management experience.

• Blackbaud's Raisers Edge software experience.

• CFRE, Grant, or other fundraising related certifications.

EEO Statement

Volunteers of America Northern Rockies is committed to equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristics. Volunteers of America Northern Rockies will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and feel you need a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the ADA, please contact us at 307-672-0475.