Director of Development

The Director of Development joins the Development team as a dedicated and experienced fundraising professional who manages important aspects of Walking Mountains’ annual fundraising efforts. The Director of Development oversees and works to secure contributions from individuals and businesses through cultivation and stewardship activities including relationship building, appeal campaigns, and special events. The Director of Development will work closely with the Vice President of Development and the development team to meet fiscal year fundraising goals and will report to the President. This role is a combination of frontline fundraising and management of a talented team including the Database Manager & Finance Liaison and the Development Manager (and/or event management contractors). The Director of Development must engage donors and establish a rapport that encourages, supports and sustains the donor’s connection to the mission of Walking Mountains Science Center and creates compelling ways to retain and increase annual giving.  This individual has bottom-line revenue goals critical to the organization’s annual operating budget and is responsible for cultivation and stewardship of donors in the portfolio. This role is supported by the team and must be comfortable managing both a portfolio of donors as well as staff. Cultivating and securing new prospects is an important part of this role, as Walking Mountains continues to expand its donor base to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.  As such, donor research and extensive engagement in the community is essential to this position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Individual Giving, Corporate Philanthropy & Special Events

·In collaboration with the VP of Development and Development Manager, secure annual gifts from existing and new individual and corporate donors

·In collaboration with the Development Manager and event management contractors, create events that awaken a sense of wonder for donors and prospects including the annual gala, A Taste of Nature (July 6, 2023), the new community fundraiser and climate action event, Climb It for Climate (September 23, 2023), monthly EdVentures (for $1k+ donors), the Holiday Open House (for $250+ donors), and others

·In collaboration with the Database Manager & Finance Liaison, manage systems and reporting to empower the team and keep the organization informed of fundraising efforts

·Support the Vice President of Development to maintain and grow the major donor community for annual operating and capital campaign gifts as well as planned giving.

·In collaboration with Marketing, develop written and visual content for fundraising assets and communications including the Annual Report, end of year giving appeals, and event collateral like emails and program booklets

·Actively participate in fundraising committees including the A Taste of Nature Gala Committee, Climb It for Climate Host Committee, and the Development Committee

·Create and execute or support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans (“moves management”) for all individual and corporate prospects and donors ·In collaboration with the President, Vice President of Development, and development team, create the annual fundraising budget (including revenue goals and event and operational expenses) as well as the annual plans for achieving them

Administrative

·Oversee giving and donor relations programs, gift processing, donor stewardship, and additional aspects of fundraising administration (ie – Bloomerang CRM)

·Prepare and/or supervise financial fundraising reports for Vice President, President, Board of Directors, and committee meetings

·Oversee management of donor information and maximize the capacity of the database Additional Duties and Responsibilities

·Attend community events to forge relationships with donors and partners

·Participate in regular development team meetings, strategic team, and all-staff meetings

·Other duties, as assigned

Qualifications

· Must have demonstrated knowledge of and proven success with the development process and understanding of all stages of the relationship with donors (“moves management” including identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship)

·5-7 years of fundraising experience including a combination of the following areas of expertise: cultivation and solicitation of mid to major level individual giving ($1k-$25k), low to major level corporate philanthropy or sponsorships ($500-$25k), special event production (gala format preferred), annual budgeting, and staff management in a fundraising or sales setting

·Hard working, self-motivated, and creative individual with exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated, quantitative results relating to meeting and/or exceeding fundraising goals in previous positions

·Highly collaborative with experience working with internal stakeholders, at-large committees, boards of directors, and contractors

·Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential

·Ability to effectively work on multiple projects and with a diverse range of stakeholders

·Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

·A bachelor’s degree is required

Work Environment Location is in Avon, Colorado, and Walking Mountains Science Center values a team culture and spirit while encouraging independent colleagues who take full responsibility for and pride in their role within the organization.  This position requires extensive time spent after hours at evening and weekend events in order to excel in this role and may be afforded flexibility regarding some portion of time working remotely.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits are reviewed annually.

• Salary Range $70,000-$90,000 DOE
• Heath, Dental, Vision insurance program
• 401K match program
• Flexible work arrangements available including remote days and compressed work weeks
• Professional development funding opportunities
• Discounted ski pass & WMSC program registration fees
• Early access to WMSC event registration
• Access to discounted clothing and gear programs
• 15 days PTO in the first year, including two days for volunteer opportunities,12 days of sick leave for you or to care for a member of your immediate family, and 12 holidays