Posted on September 19, 2012

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Director of Development

Founded in 1947 following the San Francisco conference that established the United Nations, the World Affairs Council of Northern California (“the Council"), is the most significant international affairs organization on the West Coast. It convenes more than 100 public programs on critical global issues each year. It works with policy makers, business leaders, philanthropists, government officials, academics and intellectuals to deliver programming that engages the public in informed action. The Council is the host of the nationally syndicated National Public Radio interview show “It’s Your World” heard locally on KQED radio.

Over the past two decades, this region has emerged as a powerful locus of innovation and forward-looking solutions. The Council is known for its ideas and thought leadership, its ideals and its entrepreneurship. The Council welcomes new thinking and break-through ideas. An example would be the strategic initiative of building capacity to enhance audio and video production quality and broaden digital distribution of Council programs. Another example is the initiative of convening small groups of select leaders to discuss business-critical global issues with subject matter experts and each other. The Council enjoys proximity and access to Silicon Valley expertise, providing high quality speakers and informed audiences with a differentiated perspective.

Reflecting its international focus, the organization welcomes and enjoys diversity.

The Council is led by Ms. Jane Wales, well respected and highly regarded President and CEO, who served in the Carter and Clinton Administrations. Ms. Wales has significant knowledge in the national security arena and is known for her leadership in the expanding field of global philanthropy.

The organization has a large Board of Trustees, averaging approximately 65 members of prominent and notable authorities in their fields, all supporting the Council’s mission.

The Council is a nonprofit organization with an annual budget of approximately $6 million and a professional staff of twenty-six. The offices are in downtown San Francisco, near Union Square, at the World Affairs Center, a building owned and operated by the Council. The Council’s educational activities take place at the World Affairs Center, at four Bay Area chapters, at the headquarters of its corporate members, in classrooms and online.

More information about the World Affairs Council of Northern California can be found at www.worldaffairs.org.

THE POSITION

The Director of Development works with the CEO and COO to develop the annual budget, create fundraising plans and implement the development strategies to meet goals. The Director is a member of the management team of the World Affairs Council, and liaison to the Board’s Development committees.

The Director of Development reports to the COO and will supervise and manage two staff, the Director of Individual Giving and the Membership & Development Associate. There are two key peer positions with whom the Director of Development will have significant partnering and collaborative responsibilities: the Director of Corporate Partnerships and the Director of Marketing & Communication.

The position requires a high level of interaction with board trustees, donors, and donor prospects as well as a leadership and coaching role within the organization. The Council’s work will necessitate the Director of Development be a sophisticated and intellectually curious professional.

The Director of Development will find a colleague group, at both the board and staff level, who are high performing, high caliber, and dedicated to the mission of the World Affairs Council. This colleague group eagerly anticipates the leadership and professional guidance of the Director of Development in helping his/her colleagues be better fundraisers and friend-raisers for the Council!

Responsibilities:

Development Strategy

• Develop the comprehensive fundraising strategy for the Council, drawing upon the resources of the organization (CEO, management team, trustees, systems, successful past development campaigns);
• Develop strategy for online and print collateral to attract and retain donors and work collaboratively with the Council’s Marketing & Communications team to develop and produce materials;
• Develop the cultivation strategy for converting the broader, expansive demographic audience of the Council’s current membership into prospective donors; and
• Work with the Director, Corporate Partnerships to build and strengthen relationships in the business community and to develop programming series opportunities for corporate funders. This may include identifying key partnerships for deeper ongoing relationships.

Development Execution

• Identify prospects, conduct research and prepare background materials for the CEO, COO, Board Chair and other trustees to support cultivation efforts and fundraising calls;
• Support and deepen the relationship with key trustees in the development function. This would include planning and training to increase the effectiveness of the Board Development Committee, research and preparation of solicitation assignments, preparation of appropriate materials and “talking points” for the trustees, and preparation of trustees for their outreach efforts to others;
• Enhance the experience of trustees on the Board, including cultivation, orientation, training, and stewardship. Provide support in the cultivation and recruitment process for trustees, including support for the Nominations Committee vetting process;
• Manage and steward relationships with individuals and foundation donors, including the conversion of members to donors;
• Lead annual fund campaign effort;
• Write proposals, applications, and grant reports while coordinating and overseeing grant activities;
• Oversee planning and management of the annual awards dinner, other special events, and donor recognition activities; and
• Expand the planned giving program.

Community Outreach

• Work with Director of Marketing and Communications regarding public outreach activities, including advertising and media campaigns promoting awareness about the Council and its impact on informing and educating its members, stakeholders, and community, to ensure fundraising efforts have consistent messaging;
• Make public presentations and appeals to prospective corporate, foundation, and individual funders; and
• Represent the Council at organizational events and community functions, as appropriate, in partnership with or independent of the CEO and other executive staff and trustees.

Staff Management

• Set a strong vision for development team, including clear objectives and goals, along with a culture and practice of collaboration across the organization in pursuit of development goals;
• Motivate team to meet clear department goals and celebrate milestones along the way; and
• Provide strong professional development support for the development team and mentor individuals toward greater professional achievement.

Development Operations

• Establish policies and procedures to successfully execute the annual development plan with measurable outcomes to guide the activities of the development staff, senior management team, and Board leadership;
• Build the infrastructure, e.g., systems, people, and resources, to support increasing donor and funder support (individuals, corporations, foundation) beyond its current annual level of $1.5 million; and
• Ensure that the fundraising database (Common Ground) and other tracking systems are properly managed and current.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• Experience: Seven-plus years of development experience including a demonstrated record of fundraising success with individual, corporate, and foundation gifts.
• Education: A Bachelor’s degree is required.

COMPETENCIES/ATTRIBUTES

The successful professional will have or be:

• Current knowledge of fundraising trends;
• Experience working with philanthropic and corporate leaders;
• Orientation towards donor desires and concerns, a natural style of stewardship;
• Comfort and adeptness with new technology and social media;
• Working knowledge of contact management database systems;
• Strong management and coaching skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Excellent writing and presentation skills;
• Active listening skills;
• Analytic orientation towards the data of development progress and outcomes;
• Collaborative by nature and in action;
• Organized and detail-oriented;
• Appreciative of multiculturalism and a global perspective; and
• Intellectually curious.

COMPENSATION

A competitive nonprofit compensation package, including comprehensive benefits, will be offered.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE EMAIL RESUME TO: Postings1@carlsonbeck.com

Application Instructions

For more information, please email resume to:

postings1@carlsonbeck.com