Chief Development Officer

JOB TITLE:Chief Development Officer                                  STATUS:Full Time

FLSA STATUS: Exempt                                                 

HOURS/WEEK: 40                  

DIVISION: St. Vincent de Paul Center

DEPARTMENT:Executive Officers

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: President and CEO

DIRECTLY SUPERVISES: Director of Marketing and Communications, two Senior Directors of Development, Grant Writer, Special Events Manager, and Development Services Manager
 

Mission

Marillac St. Vincent Family Services strengthens, empowers, and gives voice to those in need – in the Vincentian spirit of service - through education and comprehensive programs to build vibrant communities in Chicago.

Core Values

Our employees commit themselves as individuals to live out the core values of integrity, excellence, creativity, advocacy, respect and empowerment in our daily work, as we serve the needs of others.

Integrity - Acting with transparency, humility and honesty

Excellence - Providing quality care with compassion

Creativity - Being continuously resourceful and inventive

Advocacy - Supporting the cause of those who lack resources for a reasonable quality of life

Respect - Recognizing our own value and upholding the dignity and value of all people

            Empowerment - Providing skills and resources to achieve full human development

 

Team Behaviors

1. Versatility – Understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives on an issue; adapting one’s approach as the requirements of the situation change; an eagerness for positive action; self-control; active listening.
2. A collaborative work model – Cooperatively working and sharing responsibility; contributing to the group effort; realizing a sense of commitment and ownership in the success of the organization’s goals. 
3. Mutual accountability – Holds others accountable with their roles; provides and receives feedback and takes constructive action.
4. Client/customer advocate – Identifies opportunities to improve quality of services; presents one’s self professionally.
5. Protects confidentiality & privacy – Respects and protects information about all staff and clients.

General Summary

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and has both external and internal responsibilities.   External facing interactions include a portfolio of existing donors, community leaders and philanthropists.  The principal work of the CDO is to collaborate with board members, committed donors, and volunteers to identify, recruit, and cultivate both new and existing donors as potential major gift prospects through point-of-entry events, prospect identification activities and personal networking.   Internally, the CDO sets the vision for development and mentors team members in pursuit of that vision. In addition, the CDO serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, collaboratively charting the strategic vision for MSV at large and actively working to implement that vision.  

The CDO works as the primary relationship manager, planning for and establishing relationships with   potential donors to further their engagement with the mission of MSV. Working within a team-based approach, and in conjunction with the CEO, he or she will manage the progression of prospects through the Identify, Engage, Cultivate and Solicit stages of the process.  The CDO is responsible for ensuring the team’s activities are well-planned, timely and appropriate to the situation.  The development office is located at the St. Vincent de Paul Center; however, the CDO will need to travel to the Marillac Campus weekly.

All members of the development team are expected to be high-performing individuals who put relationships with their colleagues and peers first. The team is built on a high level of trust, transparency and communication that will be essential to any team members joining MSV.

Duties & Responsibilities

 

• Acts as a role model for integrity, ethical behavior, and fiscal responsibility in support of the mission of MSV.
• Places a high priority on serving internal and external contacts in a timely, courteous manner and follows up until needs are met.
• Actively participates as a member of the Senior Leadership Team contributing to decisions that shape the overall vision of MSV.
• Develops a deep working knowledge of MSV and its strategic initiatives to set funding priorities and strategy accordingly.
• Communicates strategy to the fundraising team and works with the team on the creation and execution of an annual development plan.
• Outlines metrics to measure effectiveness for all aspects of the development plan.
• Empowers the Director of Development to manage implementation of the articulated vision.
• Defines the cultivation process and manages strategies for high-level donors and prospective donors including timely and accurate documentation of conversations and contacts with donors, volunteers, board members, and staff.
• Communicates appropriately with development staff regarding information about prospects under management, including contact reports, proposal generation, gift acknowledgement, and other data important for the maintenance of donor/prospect records.
• Manages a level of activity to generate 12-15 face-to-face visits per month leading to growth of a portfolio of 50-75 active prospects and donors with the capacity, inclination, and/or history to commit to annual giving of $10,000 or more.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with members of the Development Committee, Board members, key volunteers, prospects and donors.
• Attends Point of Entry events, meetings and other fundraising events to identify and cultivate relationships with board members and prospective donors.
• Works with the Director of Marketing to promote the mission of MSV to the community..
• Builds a culture within the development team and all MSV employees of being storytellers about our mission.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 

 

Job Requirements

Experience/Education

BA/BS required (Master’s degree and/or CFRE status considered a plus.).

Ten or more years of work experience in non-profit fundraising, three or more of which included leading a fundraising team required (Experience in other disciplines with transferrable skills also a plus.).

 

Qualifications

A commitment to gain a strong understanding of MSV clients. 

A willingness to utilize their professional skills (fundraising, marketing, finance, education, etc.) and networks to enhance the work of the staff and advance the mission of MSV.

Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships among donors and potential donors.

A demonstrated successful track record in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects.

Qualities of a team player who is self-directed, creative, and enjoys working in a mission-based organization.

Proven skills as leader, manager, and mentor for a team.

A history of creating and communicating strategic vision for a team.

Superior organizational and communication (oral and written) skills.

Understanding that diplomacy, tact, and courtesy are paramount.

Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, ethics, and a passion for improving the lives of MSV clients.

Familiarity with donor/prospect management systems such as Raiser’s Edge and the ability to promote a culture of using data to inform the MSV development strategy.

A sense of humor.

 

Language

Ability to read and speak English proficiently.  Bilingual is a plus.

 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  
• Possess the ability to fulfill and any all office activities normally expected in an office setting, to include, but not limited to: remaining seated for periods of time to perform computer entry, participating in filing activity, lifting and carrying office supplies (paper reams, mail, etc.)
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20-25 pounds. 
• At times, may require more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position. 
• Fine hand manipulation (keyboarding).

 

MSV IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.