ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
United Way of Northwest Louisiana fights for the health, education, financial stability and essential needs of every person in our community. Our region covers Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Bienville, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, Natchitoches, Sabine and Winn parishes in Northwest Louisiana, which is nearly 500,000 people and includes the third largest city in Louisiana. We manage the SingleCare, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and the 211 hotline. We house the Shreveport Financial Empowerment Center and run other proprietary programs.
OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES
This position serves as the chief fundraising strategist for United Way of Northwest Louisiana (UWNWLA), responsible for all aspects of resource development and donor relations. This includes the development and execution of a comprehensive donor relations program that contributes to the acquisition, cultivation and retention of donors and partners. The position provides organizational leadership in resource development and donor relations, management of donor relations staff, implementation of best practices, and directs all aspects of individual and institutional giving and stewardship, with the exception of grant revenue.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The major responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:
- Represents UWNWLA professionally and enthusiastically.
- Serves as a key member of the Senior Staff and participates in organizational planning, budgeting, development, assessment, financial goals, and activities.
- Lead donor relations team, including bi-weekly team meetings and one-one meetings with direct reports
- Develops, implements, and evaluates strategic plans to sustain and increase revenue from annual campaign, corporate gifts and sponsorships, individual giving, web-based efforts, planned gifts, and fundraising events.
- Establishes and develops appropriate policies, procedures, and goals for the annual campaign. Evaluates, analyzes, and interprets annual campaign to advance all development activities.
- Works with team members to develop marketing and media efforts, including material and message development for maximum benefit to each target audience.
- Work with staff to create donor proposals, secure gifts, prompt gift acknowledgements, and report back to donors on how their giving is making a difference.
- Maintains complete and accurate records on assigned accounts and donor profiles reflecting key changes and frequency of contacts.
- Updates skills and knowledge regularly, including economic and social factors affecting fundraising.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION/REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university and/or combination of equivalent employment and education experience required.
- Five or more years’ resource development experience, including major gifts and event planning, preferred.
- Proficient with Windows, Microsoft Office Suite, and databases.
- Exceptional presentation/public speaking skills.
- Strategic planning experience preferred.
- Cognitive skills (exceptional written and oral communications, logic, judgment, teamwork) and creative “out of the box” thinking.
- Strong leadership and management skills, with highly developed interpersonal and communication abilities.
- Competence in resource development, financial systems, administration, and research.
- Results-oriented and personally accountable for expectations, timelines and measures.
- Organized, multi-tasking, meets deadlines, and pays careful attention to detail
- Works independently and manages time effectively. Manages own work hours and is able to work outside the 8am to 5pm workday and weekends, as needed.
- Valid driver’s license and automobile insurance.
SUPERVISION
Supervisory Direction Received: Works in support of and at the direction of the CEO/President.
Supervises: Donor Relations Coordinators and Manager of Leadership Giving
PERFORMANCE MEASURING
- Overall retention and growth of donors and companies in giving and engagement initiatives, and new donors and new companies gained.
- Campaign performance, account engagement, and total dollars raised.
- Overall performance, project management, teamwork, deadlines met, and successful campaign and outreach activities.
- Ability to work well with staff and maintain a positive and constructive attitude while solving problems.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
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 accommodation may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the requisite essential functions.
This multi-faceted position involves sorting, packing, stocking, loading and unloading of program supplies; participating in events and other off-site activities, including set-up, tear-down, and clean up; driving for various assignments; and a variety of other physical tasks. These activities involve the ability to twist, pull, push, lift, (up to 50 lbs.), bend, squat, climb, walk, stand, and sit for extended periods; use of dolly; manual dexterity for operating small tools & equipment; and visual acuity for driving and computer use.
UNITED WAY CORE COMPETENCIES FOR ALL STAFF
- Mission-Focused: Catalyze others’ commitment to mission to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This drives their performance and professional motivations.
- Relationship-Oriented: Understands that people come before process and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.
- Collaborator: understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.
- Results-Driven: Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good; creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.
- Brand Steward: Steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.