Director, Tocqueville Society and Education Leadership Initiative (Donor Groups)

The Director, Tocqueville Society and Education Leadership Initiative builds and sustains trusted relationships with United Way of Central Iowa donors, prospective supporters, and volunteer leaders while managing two individual donor affinity groups that support the organization’s community impact strategies. Affinity groups unite donors with shared passions, empowering them to direct their giving, volunteering and advocacy toward the causes they care about most. Tocqueville Society members contribute $10,000 or more annually, and the funds are strategically invested to create measurable and lasting changes in our community’s most urgent issues. Education Leadership Initiative (ELI) members focus on helping students stay on a path to graduation and gaining essential building blocks for a better life.

The director will work closely with the Individual Engagement Officer for Tocqueville growth strategies that move donors into deeper levels of engagement and support. This position will also have direct accountabilities for leading, supporting and implementing ELI strategies. This position incorporates the organization’s strategic imperative around equity within areas of responsibility. Please visit the organization’s website (address above) for more information about each affinity group.

The qualified candidate for this position will have strong relationship building skills and three to five years of progressive responsibility in fundraising and donor engagement. Experience with volunteer management, sales, relationship management, membership organizations, or nonprofit leadership may be considered. Experience cultivating relationships with leadership-level donors and soliciting significant financial contributions is highly preferred. The candidate will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with donors and senior leaders, adapt their approach to the audience, and exercise sound judgement and discretion. Experience working with volunteers and committees, along with event planning and project management, is preferred. A passion for the organization’s nonprofit mission to advance a thriving community is a must.

We offer a full benefits package and a hybrid work schedule of 3 days in the office and 2 days remote after 90 calendar days of employment for this full-time position. The starting salary range is $72,000 – 82,000 depending on relevant experience. We’re committed to building an inclusive team; we invite candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

Essential Accountabilities Include (but not limited to):

Tocqueville Society

• Under the strategic direction of the Individual Engagement Officer, independently lead the day-to-day engagement, stewardship, and operational management for the Tocqueville Society, coordinating on donor strategies and sensitive matters as needed.
• Work closely with the Individual Engagement Officer to develop engaging donor experiences and annual Tocqueville engagement and membership retention plans that support Tocqueville growth and stewardship objectives.
• Partner with the Individual Engagement Officer to identify prospective Tocqueville members and upgrade opportunities to major gift, President's Circle, Tocqueville upgrade, planned giving and endowment opportunities.
• Project manage events, including the annual Tocqueville Celebration.
• Coordinate Tocqueville caller activities, volunteer outreach efforts, and the annual Tocqueville Award process, including coordination with volunteer leadership, UWCI leadership and award recipients.

Education Leadership Initiative (ELI)

• Provide overall leadership, strategy, and execution for the Education Leadership Initiative (ELI).
• Develop and implement annual goals related to revenue, membership growth, retention, donor engagement, and volunteer leadership.
• Cultivate, steward, and manage relationships with ELI members, prospects, corporate partners, and community stakeholders.
• Lead ELI Investment Committee activities and coordinate the investment review process.
• Coordinate site visits, educational experiences, volunteer opportunities, and member learning events.

Essential Accountabilities for both affinity groups:

• Recruit, train, support, and recognize volunteer leaders, advisory groups, committee members and engagement ambassadors.
• Coordinate member communications, newsletters, invitations, and engagement opportunities in collaboration with the Strategic Communications and Advancement staff.
• Actively manage a portfolio of donors and prospects through personalized outreach, relationship building, and consistent follow through to strengthen retention and giving.
• Coordinate membership tracking, designation follow-up, and donor information management with the appropriate Advancement staff.
• Partner with other donor engagement staff to strengthen donor engagement pathways and support organizational fundraising priorities.