Development Director

Must be proficient in computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and donor/fundraising software programs Must be friendly, have high level of interpersonal, and customer service skills Excellent communication (both verbal and written) Analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to set and manage priorities Active listener with strong diplomacy skills WORK ENVIRONMENT & 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. QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent (preferred) CFRE or equivalent (preferred) YMCA Multi-Team Leader certification (preferred) Five or more years of professional experience in fundraising in the YMCA or another non-profit Ability to relate to top community leaders and diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.

POSITION SUMMARY This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Development Director at the Akron Area YMCA provides leadership in financial development to advance the YMCAs mission through annual giving, government and foundation grants, endowment bequests and gifts, and capital fundraising campaigns. The Development Director assists in developing actively engaged volunteers and staff members who actively participate in fundraising efforts and who represent the YMCA as a community convener and collaborator to address critical social issues. OUR CULTUREOur mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Develop and implement a comprehensive annual plan which helps maintain the fiscal health of the organization and provides future financial resources for growth and expansion. Including but not limited to annual campaign development and management, corporate major giving, grant writing and management, planned giving (endowment), capital campaigns, special events, and third-party fundraising. Work with other YMCA leaders to identify capital and program projects and potential donors. Work to develop and monitor goals and objectives for all campaigns as appropriate. Manage and support all special event logistics to ensure meeting campaign goals. Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners to secure financial support and partnerships. Collaborate with the Board of Trustees, other volunteers, and staff members to engage them in fundraising activities, provide regular updates, and leverage their networks for fundraising opportunities. Coordinate statistical information, recordkeeping, and reporting for grants and donors. Deliver presentations to various community and corporate groups. Collaborate with marketing leaders to guide branding, image and consistency of messaging in all fund-raising materials. Including messaging is updated and accurate in all marketing and outreach materials. Utilize online donor database program(s) to track actions and monitor all gifts to camp. In coordination with development staff, plan annual donor communications calendar. Work with development and accounting staff to ensure gifts are recorded properly. Develops and implements annual budget, needed to carry out the fundraising plans. Develops association wide fundraising policies and procedures. Provides training for staff members and volunteers in fundraising skills and techniques. Educates, motivates and provides feedback to individuals related to best practices in the fundraising process. Creates and implements effective communication strategies with compelling messages that inspire others to accomplish the mission and cause with maximum impact. Develops communication plans to ensure members, participants, and the community understand the case for support. Hire, train, and supervise development staff as appropriate. Member of the YMCA LEAD and LEAD+ teams. Other duties as assigned. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS | ABUSE PREVENTION Upholding the YMCA's commitment to the safety and well-being of youth in our programs is a core responsibility of all staff regardless of position. Attend required abuse risk management training. Screen employees and volunteers for abuse risk according to policies and procedures. Train, supervise, and require adherence of employees and volunteers to policies and procedures related to abuse risk. Provide employees and volunteers with regular feedback about boundaries with consumers. Respond quickly to policy and procedure violations. Respond quickly and seriously to all reports of suspicious and inappropriate behaviors. Communicate the YMCA's commitment to abuse prevention. Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements. LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES Communication & Influence: Creates and clearly communicates a compelling, cause-driven vision. Navigates complex political and social circles with ease. Advocates to public officials to promote policies and regulations to advance the Y's cause. Philanthropy: Promotes and inspires philanthropy among staff and volunteers. Initiates and fosters relationships with all constituents through a systematic cultivation plan designed to increase support of the Y. Ensures fundraising activities and strategies are sufficient to support the Y's charitable needs. Program/Project Management: Develops organizational goals and strategic plans, balancing long-term direction and short-term requirements. Aligns organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities to achieve goals. Uses the Y's compelling cause-driven vision as a lens for making organizational decisions. Volunteerism: Cultivates a diverse pool of volunteers to ensure the Y's relevance to strategic priorities and community needs. Maximizes the function of the board ensuring optimal engagement and strategic alignment. Partners with the governing board to set the organization's policies, goals and strategic direction. QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent (preferred) CFRE or equivalent (preferred) YMCA Multi-Team Leader certification (preferred) Five or more years of professional experience in fundraising in the YMCA or another non-profit Ability to relate to top community leaders and diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community. Ability to create interpretive materials to enable potential donors to understand the YMCA and how they contribute to the achievement of its mission. Knowledge of the media and its use in gaining exposure for YMCA events and programs. Foundation and government grant writing expertise. Must be proficient in computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and donor/fundraising software programs Must be friendly, have high level of interpersonal, and customer service skills Excellent communication (both verbal and written) Analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to set and manage priorities Active listener with strong diplomacy skills WORK ENVIRONMENT & 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 use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device. Position may require bending, leaning, kneeling, and walking. The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate one-on-one and in large groups.