Managing Director, Southwest Florida Chapter

BACKGROUND

Join Blessings in a Backpack, a dynamic force dedicated to combating childhood hunger across America.

Blessings in a Backpack (Blessings) mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for school‑age children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Each week, in collaboration with thousands of dedicated volunteers and partners nationwide, we send bags of nourishing food home with children who rely on free and reduced‑price meal programs during the school week. In the 2022‑2023 academic year alone, we distributed 3.3 million bags of food, making a tangible difference in the lives of countless children and families.

As a national organization, Blessings operates through seven regional chapters and over 1,200 community‑driven programs. Our collective impact is supported by a team of national employees that work to ensure the success of mission delivery across all locations.

The Blessings Southwest Florida Chapter currently serves over 8,000 children at nearly 35 schools. Established in 2014, the chapter is led by a managing director and supported by an esteemed advisory board comprising business, civic, and community leaders.

Here, you'll find an energetic environment where passion meets purpose, and every action contributes to building a brighter future for our community's children. Join us in making an indelible impact on the lives of Southwest Florida’s children.

This position requires a take‑charge, self‑starter to lead the Southwest Blessings Chapter in Southwest Florida. The Managing Director will have overall responsibilities for implementing Blessings’ strategic plan with a focus on board development, local fundraising, volunteer management, program sustainability and expansion, and operations. The Managing Director will conceptualize and manage complex project plans, working in close collaboration with the Blessings regional and senior management teams and local advisory board.

The Managing Director is a direct report to the southeastern Regional Vice President, will manage a part‑time Chapter Coordinator, and work with a regional team. The Southwest Florida Advisory Board is a key stakeholder.

The managing director is responsible for the overall performance of the chapter and is accountable for fund development, budget management, and meeting the needs of its volunteers and board.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement fundraising strategies in concert with regional and organizational teams, including managing major gifts, corporate giving, foundation relations, and events
• Event planning and on‑the‑ground implementation may be necessary
• Oversee the chapter budget and ensure enough monies are raised to fund the chapter’s mission
• Recruit, manage, and activate advisory board members
• Represent Blessings in a Backpack in the market, attending events, public speaking, and networking opportunities as needed
• Work with regional program team to ensure smooth operations
• Cultivate strong community relationships
• Manage the chapter coordinator to achieve chapter goals

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum five years of fundraising/fund development experience in Southwest Florida, with proven success in a decentralized organizational setting.
• Major gifts experience is preferred
• Strong track record in board management and recruitment
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and fund development
• Experience in community outreach
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills
• Passion for addressing childhood hunger and food insecurity
• Willingness and ability to attend local business and social events that require both workday and evening availability, plus travel within the chapter area
• Ability to travel overnight by airplane on a limited basis
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
• Home office in the Fort Myers, Florida area
• Personal transportation (mileage is reimbursed in accordance with IRS rules)
• Valid driver's license

• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds
• Ability to work some evening/weekend events
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• The…