Job Title: Director of Development Department: Development Reports To: President & CEO FLSA Status Exempt Prepared Date: July 7, 2009 Revised DATE: Approved By: Approved Date: SUMMARY Vermont Public Radio Job Description Director of Development Oversees, manages, and directs all corporate, individual, foundation, fundraising, major giving, planned giving, and special project fundraising programs. Leads the development team to meet the revenue needs of the organization. Manages the Development staff. May assist the President & CEO on various issues outside of functional area of responsibility as requested. ESSENTIAL ROLES 1. Development and Fundraising 2. Underwriting 3. Membership & Membership Database 4. Capital Campaigns 5. Planned Giving 6. Board of Directors resource Essential Duties and Responsibilities Fully Competent Excellence in this Position Prepares and successfully executes all fundraising plans to reach the various potential supporters of VPR and meets institutional funding objectives. Well-managed, highly organized, creative fundraising efforts that consistently meet incrementally increasing financial goals. Well-managed, highly organized, creative fundraising efforts that consistently meet or exceed financial goals, which may be increasing significantly on a year-to-year basis. Relationships with VPR listeners and contributors are open and candid. Conflict is managed constructively. Enlists the involvement of members of VPR's staff, the President, the Board of Directors, and others as necessary to successfully implement the fundraising plans. Designing and providing training for staff and volunteers as necessary. Involves others as needed in fund raising efforts. Trains others to assist fundraising efforts as needed. Creates a broad sense of involvement and ownership of fundraising efforts in the Board and others. Creates confidence and enthusiasm for VPR's fundraising efforts. Receives creative fundraising ideas from them regularly.
Oversees the corporate underwriting fundraising program, including establishing underwriting packages and setting rates, ensuring compliance with FCC regulations, and integration of underwriting with traffic systems. Identifies new opportunities for corporate sponsorships such as on-line, event sponsorships, etc. The corporate underwriting programs is well-managed, well-organized and in compliance with FCC rules. The program is growing incrementally. New opportunities are being identified on an incremental basis The corporate underwriting program is growing dramatically, and new opportunities for corporate sponsorships are being regularly identified and captured. Oversees the organizing of annual membership activities such as on air membership drives, annual renewals, sustaining memberships, telemarketing and acknowledgement programs. Oversees the writing, production and mailing of fundraising mail campaigns to members and potential members, and the purchase of mailing lists of potential donors for acquisition mailings. All aspects of the annual membership program are well organized and executed. Their results meet goals. On-air communications during VPR s membership effectively convey desired messages to the membership. The annual membership program meets and exceeds goals, which may increase non-incrementally. Ways are found to vary membership solicitations and drives, improve their productivity, and creatively connect to the membership. The unique role of VPR in the state and the importance of community support is effectively communicated. Oversees the annual major gift program including the solicitation, stewardship, research, and record keeping of VPR s major gift donors and prospects. Communicates with donors the importance of renewable major gifts to VPR ongoing operations. The major gift program is wellorganized and meets its goals, which are incremental. The major gifts program grows at a rate greater than industry average. The scope of the program includes major gifts that are cultivated and received for special projects and opportunities, non-campaign related. Recognized as a leader in the philanthropic community. Identifies opportunities for special campaigns in order to help insure that VPR is able to carry out its strategic plan and vision. This could include endowment campaigns, capital campaigns, and station acquisition campaigns, as well as smaller campaigns for special projects, etc. Campaigns are well-organized and meet established goals in the appropriate timeline. Campaigns are completed in such a manner that exemplifies best practices for campaigns. Informs donors and prospects of VPR s special needs now and into the future, and encourages ultimate gifts as well as contributions through planned gifts such as bequests, trusts, donations of land or other real property, gifts-inkind, charitable gift annuities, and other planned giving vehicles. Works with attorneys to establish methods of transferring funds to benefit both donors and VPR. With President and Board, develops ongoing relationships with the most generous donors. Communication with donors is wellorganized and well-managed. Communication with donors is wellorganized and managed. The number of large donors and their contributions are growing steadily.
Develops and submits grant proposals to foundations, corporations, and government agencies. Grant proposals are regularly developed and accepted. Grant proposals are regularly developed and accepted and grow incrementally. Develops public relations materials to enhance VPR's image with members and non-members. Develops branded thank-you gifts to promote fund raising programs and extend VPR's reach into the community through logo items. Materials are regularly developed and reflect the organization s brand. Logo items are present in the community. Materials are of high quality and content is consistently compelling. Logo items are appreciated for their quality and widely visible. Establishes development policies, systems, and procedures with a special emphasis on ethical standards for soliciting and reporting Staff clearly understands the ethical standards for soliciting and reporting. Staff maintains an ongoing dialogue about ethical issues related to soliciting and reporting, demonstrating a deep commitment to the highest levels of ethical practice. Manages the continuing development of fundraising recordkeeping systems, ensuring donor privacy, data accuracy, and timeliness of reporting. Supervises and coordinates activities of staff engaged in maintaining records of contribution and grants. Develops and manages donor acknowledgement and recognition programs. Recordkeeping and reporting systems are well-organized. Donor recognition and acknowledgement programs operate smoothly and in a timely manner Recordkeeping and reporting systems are well-organized. Donor recognition and acknowledgement programs operate smoothly and in a timely manner. Ways are found to increase system efficiency. Develops and manages annual Development Department budget. Works with Finance to effectively manages budget. Understands impact of decisions on budget. Stewards resources with prudence and accountability. Represents VPR to the national public radio development community. Maintains strong working relationships with relevant national organizations. Effectively represents VPR as needed at the regional and national level. Develops and maintains an excellent network of relationships in the local community and broader public radio system. May take a leadership position in local, regional, or national organizations. Recognized as a leader in these organizations. Brings opportunities to VPR as a byproduct of these efforts. Recruits, manages, evaluates, and develops the Development Department staff consistent with VPR s values. Develops an effective staff with individuals developing their skills, working well together, and working well with other departments Develops highly promotable staff, including a potential successor. The department is able to attract and retain great employees. Excellent communications across departments, among employees, with the Board, with the public, with relevant national organizations, and with suppliers are facilitated. Conflict is managed constructively. Participates in the development of Active participant in and resource for Understands deeply and communicates
VPR s Strategic Plan. Leads the effort to understand relevant trends likely to impact future development efforts. the organization s strategic planning process effectively the impact of political shifts, economic and demographic trends, and technological advances on the development potential for VPR. Seen as a key resource in area(s) of expertise. Serves as a member of VPR s senior management team, sharing responsibility for the ongoing operation of the whole organization. Works effectively with peers on projects impacting the whole organization. Effectively coordinates department activities to mesh with those of other departments as needed. Recognized by peers as an effective teammate. Works with the President and other Directors in ways that make them more effective. Has a broad understanding of all of VPR s departments sufficient to collaborate effectively with peers, ensure excellent communication and teamwork among departments, contribute significantly to VPR s general management, and help other managers do their jobs more effectively Develops personal skills and characteristics that model what is desired in all employees. Demonstrates a high level of commitment and dedication to the mission and continuous improvement of VPR, a high level of energy, and an obvious enthusiasm for the work of VPR. Consistently acts wit the highest standards of journalism, business ethics, and personal integrity. Serves as an excellent ambassador for VPR, both formally and informally. Involved in ongoing professional development for the benefit of VPR. Appropriate certifications are renewed as needed. Ongoing professional development is a priority and is seen as a model by other staff. Serves as liaison to the Development Committee of the VPR Board of Directors. Supports each of these committees through communications, research, and follow-up. Provides thorough support to the appropriate committee as needed. Recognized by the Board for the depth of perspective on area(s) of expertise and vision. May also contribute in areas outside of direct responsibilities, providing a broader perspective. EXCELLENCE IN THIS POSITION includes the following: 1. A high level of commitment and dedication to the mission of VPR and public radio. Personally volunteers support for public radio either financially or in other ways. 2. A high level of energy. An obvious enthusiasm for the work of VPR. Outgoing, friendly with coworkers, and demonstrates an appropriate sense of humor. 3. Acting consistently with the highest standards of journalism, business ethics and personal integrity. Preserving confidentiality appropriately. Stewarding resources with prudence and accountability. 4. Serving as an excellent ambassador for VPR, both formally and informally. Helping listeners, potential listeners, and donors connect with VPR. Holding leadership positions in the community on boards, committees, and through general volunteer opportunities.
5. Facilitating excellent communications across departments, among employees, with the Board, with the public, with relevant national organizations, and with suppliers. Fostering open and candid relationships with VPR listeners and contributors. Managing conflict constructively. 6. Demonstrating a commitment to the continuous improvement of VPR s ability to fulfill its mission and vision. Demonstrating and encouraging creativity and enthusiasm for this work. 7. Effectively working to strengthen the public radio community nationally. Being recognized by peers for knowledge of the craft, demonstrated expertise and success, and commitment to the cause. Holding leadership positions in national organizations involved with public radio. Bringing increased opportunities to VPR as a byproduct of these efforts. 8. Expressing consistent, high performance expectations for themselves, their department, VPR s leadership, and VPR. With staff: helping them develop a high level of commitment to their mission and excellent teamwork. Helping develop employee skills and abilities, mentoring well, and helping employees realize their professional goals. To the extent possible, helping develop the next generation of leadership at VPR and creating a viable succession plan for their department. Attracting and retaining great employees. 9. Developing a broad understanding of all of VPR s departments sufficient to collaborate effectively with peers, ensure excellent communication and teamwork among departments, contribute significantly to VPR s general management, and help other managers do their jobs more effectively. 10. Working with the President in ways that make him/her more effective. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Managing the Development Department. Supervises some Development staff directly, others indirectly. Directly responsible for some reviews, indirectly responsible for review for the whole department. POSITION REQUIREMENTS Education and Experience: Bachelor s degree and at least 10 years of relevant experience in fundraising, marketing, or related fields. Several years of supervisory or managerial experience. CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) designation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals is desired, but not necessarily required. Essential Skills: Strong leadership and organizational skills. Demonstrated creativity. Superb writing and presentation skills and keen ability to relate to donors at all levels required. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively. Must be able to present themselves in a neat, professional manner, with appropriate attire. Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly to talk, hear, walk, sit for extended periods, travel, and occasionally stand, use hands to feel and hold, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. The ability to drive an automobile during the day and night, and fly in a plane is critical. The work environment is usually an office and is usually quiet, but fundraising events may take place in a wide range of venues. (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.) Please note: This is not an all-encompassing statement of this position s responsibilities. While it attempts to be comprehensive, new responsibilities may be assigned to this position at any time.