Summary

Job Title: Leader Valley Director of Development

Department: Operations

Description: The Leader Valley Director of Development is responsible for strengthening the organization’s current financial health and long-term sustainability. The Director of Development is responsible for the management, implementation, and continual evaluation of an overall fundraising plan to sustain Leader Valley operations and programming, as well as the promotion of the Leader Valley mission and objectives. This includes cultivating and maintaining relationships with key donors and charitable organizations, securing major gifts, and teaming with the Finance and Operations Director and contracted communications and grant writer. The Director of Development manages fundraising campaigns, special events, and donor stewardship programs to ensure long-term support and viability of Leader Valley.

Reports To: Leader Valley Director of Finance and Operations

Status: Exempt, 0.8 FTE – 1.0 FTE

Salary: $50,000 – $65,000 commensurate with experience

This job description identifies the major responsibilities of the position. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned, to assist with executing the organization’s business model, promoting the organization’s culture, mission and values.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibility Load Breakdown

75% direct fundraising and fundraising adjacent activities
15% communications and outreach responsibilities
10% team and organization responsibilities

Leader Valley Goal Attainment, Reporting, and Analysis

In conjunction with the Leader Valley Executive Director and Council, sets and achieves short-term and long-term fundraising goals, strategies, and timelines for annual giving, planned giving, and major gifts

Monitor monthly results in relation to fundraising goals and future budget needs

Provide regular updates and reports to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and other stakeholders on development performance, including fundraising results, donor metrics, and trends

Analyze fundraising data to identify opportunities for improvement and to ensure that resources are allocated effectively

Donor Stewardship of Individual and Corporate Partners

Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with corporate, individual donors and charitable organizations, for annual, major, and planned gifts

Identify prospective donors, follow up with lapsed donors, and steward current donors

Accurately manage donor data-base and internal tracking systems

Fundraising Campaign Execution

Lead strategy development and execution of smaller annual campaigns, including but not limited to Giving Tuesday and end-of-year giving campaigns

Lead strategy development and execution of capital campaign

Fundraising/Special Events

Plan and execute fundraising/special events, including but not limited to co-creating a vision for the event, determining logistics, monitoring budget, securing sponsorships, preparing auctions, marketing, and wrap-up activities

Lead and collaborate with diverse volunteer planning teams and day-of volunteers in support of event goals

Grant Writing

Develop and maintain relationships with granting organizations

Collaborate with contracted Grant Writer by providing key metrics and stories to support applications and grant reporting

Seek out grant applications

Communications and Outreach

Develop, implement, and provide oversight of the communication strategy for website, donor outreach, including newsletters, emails, event materials, and social media

Promote programming and events

Update Leader Valley website and partner with contracted website host

Collaborate with contracted communication partners

Qualifications

The ideal candidate possesses the following educational and professional experience:

Required- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, fundraising, communications, or a related field

Required- A minimum of three years of experience managing/directing fundraising efforts

Demonstrated fundraising skills and strategies with corporate and philanthropic entities

Demonstrated strength in leadership and strategic planning skills

Demonstrated initiative, organization, prioritization, follow through, and attention to detail while managing multiple priorities

Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders

A successful track record in setting priorities and creating systems; keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills which support and enable sound decision making

Proven ability to lead professionally and partner effectively with results-oriented team

The ability to wear many hats on a small team in a fast-paced environment

Strong cultural fit with the organization’s core values and nonprofit mission

Familiarity with the Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc…) is preferred

Familiarity with general fundraising software is preferred

Core Values

Servant Leadership

-Believes leadership is for everyone
-Models positive leadership
-Focuses on the strengths of others and creates opportunities for them to display their leadership
-Possesses a heart for serving others

Human Connection

-Collaborate regularly with team
-Believes in the power of diverse relationships
-Balances courage and consideration in relationships and situations
-Listens empathically
-Exhibits high trust behaviors
-Celebrates differences and seeks out diverging viewpoints

Integrity

-Believes authenticity is best and character matters
-Practices what we teach
-Values doing what is right
-Is a responsible steward of resources

Lifelong Learning

-Believes learning is an ongoing journey
-Possesses a growth mindset
-Is coachable and resourceful
-Invests in the development of others

Facilitate Change

-Believes challenges are opportunities to improve
-Recognizes needs as they emerge
-Embraces and proactively responds to change
-Is solutions-oriented and takes initiative

Application Process

Please submit the following application materials:

Letter of application addressing your interest in this role, how your skills, dispositions, and preparation have equipped you for this role, and how you align to the Leader Valley values noted above

Resume showcasing your unique experience and impact

A minimum of 3 current professional references

All application materials must be submitted in full by July 25th, 2025 for consideration. Please submit application materials electronically to:

Kristen Kimball
Leader Valley Director of Finance and Operations
319-558-8805
kristen@leadervalley.org