Director of Individual Giving

Company: Playworks
Location: Chicago
Posted on: September 22, 2023

Job Description:

Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. Learn about the energetic, creative people working to ensure every kid has the chance to play-every day.ABOUT THE POSITION, in the role of the Director of Individual Giving (Annual & Mid-Level Giving) you will have both internal and external facing responsibilities, primarily focused on leading the creation and execution of comprehensive strategies that help Playworks to strategically increase revenue from individuals who make contributions between $1,000 - $5,000. -A key component to this position will be to develop and implement strategies, tactics, reporting, and SOPs in collaboration with 15 regional development teams, for retaining, increasing average gifts, qualifying and moving annual donors to mid-level gift program and mid-level donors to the major gifts program. The Director of Individual Giving will play a critical role in collaborating with Playworks Regional Leadership to analyze data, develop giving strategies, and identify models of success that can be used across the organization. The Director of Individual Giving will also be the department lead that provides organization and leadership to the direct mail and digital fundraising efforts that target annual and mid-level donors. -You will work closely with the Chief Development Officer, regional leaders and other development staff in markets across the country to chart the growth and strategic response to an ever-increasing demand for the organization's programs and services in current and expansion markets. This position is remote based and reports directly to our Chief Development Officer.

This is a unique opportunity for a proactive, flexible and strategic leader with proven major donor experience, is experienced in coaching and influencing teammates to plan and execute donor engagement strategies, and has planning and implementation skills and most of all is ready to join a dynamic organization at a critical and exciting stage in its history!Specifically you will have responsibilities in the following areas:

• Design, test, and scale strategies to meet and exceed annual fundraising goals for annual ($100-$1,000) and mid-level ($1,000-$5,000) donors for Playworks
• Proactively research, cultivate and maintain lasting relationships with national current and prospective individual donors
• Together with EDs and the Chief Development Officer, develop, test, scale regional individual donor strategies and activities to grow and steward a portfolio of individuals -
• Develop and execute ongoing strategies for qualifying prospects and elevating them to prospect status via special events, research, and community networking
• Coach regional development teams to maintain an active schedule of solicitations, cultivation visits, events and stewardship activities, and how to perform and prioritize personal solicitations targeting individuals with the interest, linkage and ability to support Playworks
• Work with development operations team to ensure that staff are using efficiencies and processes to track all donor and prospect interactions through Salesforce database
• Maintain an active and current body of knowledge pertaining to a growing constituency of current and prospective donors
• Oversee digital and direct mail campaigns by partnering with Marketing and Communications teammatesOrganizational Leadership, Management, Strategy & Communications
  • Serve as strategic partner for Chief Development Officer, EDs and regional development teams
  • Provide coaching, strategic guidance and critical feedback to staff on prospect research, individual and major donor cultivation, stewardship and ask, with a practice of mentorship and respect for the skills, strengths, contributions and challenges of individual team membersAdministration & Operations
    • Partner with the Chief Development Officer and HQ Development team to host monthly and quarterly training events for all development staff across the country; prepare presentation decks, materials, etc and lead discussions as assignedTo be sure we're providing a complete picture, here are some additional details:
      • To be successful in this role, you must be a collaborative and innovative leader with an enthusiasm for working with our HQ team and 15 regional offices.
      • The strongest candidate will have a deep understanding of strength-based organizational culture, passion about Playworks' mission and a commitment to education and health reform work. -
      • It's imperative that our top candidates have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and have demonstrated experience in fundraising, individual donor cultivation and stewardship, relationship-building, engagement and movement-building strategies.Required Skills & Experience
        • Bachelor's degree required and Master's degree in Public Relations, Business, Non-Profit Management, Marketing or related field preferred.
        • 7+ years of fundraising and development experience, including individual giving.
        • Demonstrated experience in coaching teams and individuals with individual giving best practices
        • Familiarity with the philanthropic landscape.
        • Strong knowledge of using effective fundraising strategies including, data analysis to drive development of strategies leading to individual donor cultivation, & best in class retention strategies
        • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with persuasive writing and presentation ability. -
        • Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with individuals, build trust within a team, and lead group meetings and presentations.
        • Proven track record of success in individual gift solicitation and coaching staff to plan and execute donor engagement and solicitation strategies.
        • Experience leading project teams in an innovative, entrepreneurial culture.
        • Superb organizational and analytical skills with ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities and and meet aggressive deadlines effectively.
        • Ability to conceptualize strategic vision, goals and objectives and communicate to others effectively and with desired results.
        • Demonstrated commitment to program and outcome-based evaluation and to highest quality service and product.
        • Must be tech savvy and have expertise in database systems, donor management/engagement systems and online social networks. Experience with Salesforce is a plus.
        • Flexibility to work nights and weekends as needed.
        • Must be able to travel.Playworks offers the full package - great benefits, a fun place to work and an opportunity to grow professionally. We offer:
          • At Playworks, our compensation takes into consideration internal pay equity, geographic pay differential and robust external market data. We highly value transparency and equity within compensation and therefore are committed to adhering to established compensation pay points. The salary for this position is: $119,000 (SF Bay Area and New York City) or $113,000 (all other locations)
          • A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, 401(k) and 3% employer match, employee funded pre-tax health and child care spending accounts.
          • Generous Flex PTO policy with paid sick and holiday leave.This is a hands-on, creative, playful and fun-loving place to work, all while contributing to the success of our nation's youth. So if you're ready to immerse yourself in the education sector, working on a rewarding set of challenges and if you've got the skills, experience, passion, and a team spirit, apply!Please include:
            • A cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience has prepared you for this role.
            • Resume.
            • If we think you're the right fit, we'll request your references; there's no need to include them at the outset.ABOUT PLAYWORKS, at Playworks we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We are changing the school climate by leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school every day. We create a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills by partnering with schools, districts, and after-school programs through services including digital engagement, on-site coaches, professional training for school staff who support play, and consultative partnerships.We are committed to racial equity, and we make a particular effort to recruit people of color, indigenous people, gender non-binary people, and people with historically more marginalized identities to apply for open positions. Our core values of cultivating play, center equity, continued learning and collaboration within communities are the foundation of our organization and are infused in all aspects of our work.Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If that is you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself!As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, faith, marital status, physical ability, or any other legally protected basis. Playworks evaluates all candidates for employment, volunteering opportunities or board service on a merit basis.
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Keywords: Playworks, Chicago , Director of Individual Giving, Executive , Chicago, Illinois