Donor Relations Director

Do you want to use your skills and talents to make a lasting difference in the world?

The Midland Division Salvation Army is the fourth largest charity in the United States and is an international organization based on Biblical principles created to help people in need. We are mission-driven, diverse, collaborative, and focused on positive results for people. Join us in making a difference.

The Salvation Army Midland Division has an immediate opening for a Donor Relations Director. This is a full-time position that offers a salary based on education and experience.

The Donor Relations Director, primary purpose is to play an integral role in the success of the Division's fund development efforts, specifically through ongoing and proactive relationship management, strategic communications, written plans, gift cultivation, and solicitation activity with an assigned caseload of qualified major gift donors. The incumbent is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors with an emphasis on securing gifts of $5,000 and higher. The incumbent will serve as the primary contact between The Salvation Army (TSA) and an assigned portfolio to increase major gifts while retaining and strengthening existing giving.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Manages a prospect portfolio of 150 or more qualified major donors and additional prospects as assigned to establish and maintain excellent donor relations as follows:

• Establishes, manages, and executes a portfolio communications plan that includes individual fund-raising goals and personalized strategies to steward, educate, cultivate, and solicit gifts from major donors each fiscal year with an emphasis on contributions of $5,000 or higher.
• Follows a communication plan that is specific to each donor and prospect.
• Leads in one-to-one solicitation, gift acknowledgement, and stewardship communications with donors and prospects as assigned, traveling as necessary, to meet agreed upon monthly/annual activity and income production goals.
• Works with donor leadership volunteers, as appropriate, to secure visits with those who in their peer networks as assigned.
• Follows best practices in one-to-one solicitation, gift acknowledgement, and stewardship communications to establish and maintain excellent donor relations
• Prepares and provides written proposals to major gift prospects as needed including TSA staff and/or voluntary leaders as appropriate
• Works with prospect research manager at THQ, its designate, and/or appropriately trained local TSA staff to develop donor profiles to inform "moves management" strategies and planning conversations.
• Makes use of special events, TSA site visit tours, face-to-face briefings by TSA leaders, and other initiatives to engage with assigned donors to bring them closer to TSA and deepen their awareness of the impact of TSA's work, especially in areas of interest to the donor; participates in such opportunities alongside donors.
• Maintains updated donor files including all donor interactions, tracking spreadsheets, database reports, correspondence, and gift acknowledgements in accordance with department policies and procedures; fulfills all monthly and other reporting requirements.
• Meets regularly with immediate supervisor and territorial gifts management, by phone or in person, to discuss and refine caseload plans, donor strategies organizational priorities, and troubleshoot challenging situations, track progress, receive coaching, and maintain open lines of communications.
• Participates in recommended professional development activities including training, conferences, and conference calls with other major gifts staff.
• Works collaboratively with TSA fundraising and other Divisional staff/functions to define and present TSA funding needs in detail to donor prospects and optimize integrated strategies related to donor communications and divisional initiatives.
• Supports and contributes to, as requested, overall territorial policies, business practices, and strategies to continually increase major gifts revenue and program

A full job description will be available upon request.

Minimum Qualifications

• Goal-oriented, self-directed, and proactive; ability to take the initiative and work independently without direction or extensive administrative support to meet/exceed expectations.
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to use emotional intelligence, situational awareness, tact, and diplomacy when interacting directly with others including donors.
• Highly effective at building and maintaining relationships with diverse individuals (e.g., executives, wealthy donors, leadership volunteers, internal stakeholders, and TSA leadership).
• Ability to conduct oneself with professionalism and composure in a variety of challenging and/or stressful situations including responding to crises in a calm and controlled manner.
• Computer literacy including proficiency in the use of Microsoft Windows and Office Suite software including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as use of email applications and CRM/donor management software.
• Able to maintain confidentiality and follow ethical best practices.
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple and sometimes competing priorities to ensure work is done efficiently and within agreed upon timeframes.
• Ability to be highly influential and persuasive in dealing with donors and others including members of the community and colleagues at TSA.
• Strong communication and presentation skills including the ability to convey clear, concise, and compelling messages when writing, conversing with others, and making formal presentations.
• Highly service-oriented and driven to deliver exceptional customer service and follow through when dealing with donors and TSA colleagues.
• Ability to work collaboratively with officers, staff, volunteers, and development colleagues as a team player to achieve individual, departmental, and organizational goals.
• Good judgment and problem-solving skills; can effectively gather and analyze information necessary to draw sound conclusions and make appropriate decisions without close supervision.
• Able to support and promote the mission, values, and charitable work of The Salvation Army through one's professional actions, behavior, and encounters with others.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and pass the TSA MVR.
• Ability and willingness to travel in community and throughout the Division as needed.

Preferred Experience, Education and Knowledge:

• Bachelor's degree in non-profit management, marketing, business administration or related fields or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the requisite knowledge and abilities to successfully engage in fundraising activities.
• Advanced degree and/or CFRE credentials are preferred.
• A minimum of five years' experience in non-profit fund raising with a proven track record of success in personal solicitation for major gifts.
• A strong working knowledge of strategy development and moves management systems relevant to the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process.
• Experience working with high-level volunteers, donors, and program staff on collaborative activities.
• Experience, familiarity and/or ability to work in a complex non-profit organization with many departments, programs and fundraising priorities.