This search is closed and the job description is for informational purposes only.
Chief Development Officer, First Place for Youth
Position: Chief Development Officer
Functional Area:
Organization: First Place for Youth
Location: Oakland, CA
Metro Region:
Overview:
First Place for Youth is an innovative and entrepreneurial nonprofit organization whose programs proactively challenge the trends among former foster youth by building self-esteem, self-reliance, and forging the skills necessary for successful independent living. Focusing on housing stability, educational support, economic security, improved health, and connection to community, First Place programs are considered a national model for supporting youth in their transition out of foster care. With these critical resources, youth are significantly more likely to overcome homelessness, poverty, low educational achievement, and poor health. Please visit http://www.firstplaceforyouth.org/ for more information.
Position:
First Place for Youth is currently seeking an experienced and dynamic Chief Development Officer to lead all aspects of fundraising and external relations for this entrepreneurial organization currently undergoing a period of substantial growth and expansion. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Development Officer will design and drive fund development efforts to meet annual operating revenue goals in the range of $5M from a variety of sources including foundations, corporations, individuals, and events. In addition, this position will be responsible for designing and leading any special or capital campaign initiatives aligned with the organization’s strategic growth agenda and for directing the communications/external relations initiatives to build awareness and support for the organization and its programs. While working closely with the senior leadership team to define the organization’s growth strategy, the Chief Development Officer will ensure that fundraising and communication strategies align with the direction set forth in the strategic plan and guarantee organization-wide financial sustainability while building and managing a strong team of professionals to ensure the tactical implementation of all strategies.
Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with the CEO, Board and leadership team to build and implement a development plan that supports significant growth and long term sustainability
• Initiate, cultivate, manage, and steward relationships with the organization’s portfolio of foundation, corporate, and individual donors
• Strategically leverage the time of the CEO and other senior leaders to support aggressive fundraising targets, including developing the capacity of the Board and Development Committee to execute against development goals
• Lead and supervise the development team in the effective implementation of fundraising activities, including preparation of high-quality proposals, grant reports and major donor cultivation and communications, and fundraising events
• Develop and execute a comprehensive corporate engagement strategy, including sponsorship opportunities and civic engagement
• Design and support regional development strategies to strengthen First Place for Youth’s Oakland and Los Angeles sites
• Collaborate internally on special projects and provide leadership on cross-functional teams
• Design and execute a comprehensive strategic communications and marketing strategy to support fundraising efforts
Qualifications:
• Demonstrated success building and leading the development function in fast-paced, entrepreneurial nonprofit organizations; experience with multi-site organizations preferred
• Substantial experience designing and implementing comprehensive fundraising plans for all funding streams including major gifts, corporate, foundation, and annual giving with a successful track record of raising funds at the $5M+ level annually
• Passionate commitment to First Place for Youth’s mission, vision and strategic direction
• Demonstrated ability to manage people and projects across multiple sites
• Exceptional communication skills; articulate, with proven ability to write effectively and speak persuasively combined with an ability to listen to and learn from others with a sense of inquisitiveness
• Intellectual agility, high professional standards, and demonstrated ability to think strategically and execute on multiple priorities simultaneously
• Ability to thrive in an environment characterized as fast-paced, creative, and dynamic
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills combined with creativity, flexibility and a great sense of humor
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree preferred
First Place for Youth will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, or sexual orientation. Further, First Place for Youth actively seeks to recruit and retain a diverse staff in all areas of operations.
To Apply:
Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity, both in Word format, to Sam Cobbs at http://jobs.cgcareers.org/application.aspx?id=1607 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
