Development Specialist ZU

Development Specialist

Summary Objective The Development Specialist position at the Louisville Zoo contributes to the strategic direction of the organization via small business, individual solicitations, and database administration. All efforts will benefit animal care, capital initiatives, special projects, annual operations, conservation programs, events, education programs, etc. This position reports to the Individual Giving Coordinator. This class works independently, under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Evaluates and monitors programs for effectiveness and recommends modifications and improvements.
• Processes all donations for the Zoo and ensures appropriate entry of all gifts into the donor database and prepares and issues tax receipts.
• Solicits operational donations through direct mail campaigns and conducts administrative tasks supporting the annual and long-term philanthropic goals of the Zoo. This includes overseeing the creation of the annual campaign materials and working with the mail house to coordinate the mailing.
• Serves as the donor database coordinator for the Zoo to ensure donor records are kept fully up-to-date. This will require working with software companies to scan the database regularly and import new information (addresses, phone, email, deceased, etc). This position is also responsible for the addition of new donor records and database cleanup of constituent codes, funds, appeals, attributes, invalid records, etc.
• Works with software companies to scan the database regularly and import new information (addresses, phone, email, deceased, etc.).
• Enters new donor records and database cleanup of constituent codes, funds, appeals, attributes, invalid records, etc.
• Coordinates all details of the Zoo Kids Inc. field trip scholarship program, including an annual evaluation of the application process; establishing the online application portal; accepting applications from potential program recipients; communicating with applicants and notifying them of scholarship awards; tracking use of scholarship funds; reconciling attendance and requesting reimbursement from the Zoo Foundation for completed field trips.
• Coordinates all aspects of the Zoo's tribute and memorial program, which consists of gifts made in honor of/memory of someone, gifts, benches, plaques, specially commissioned carousel animals, etc. This position will create a marketing and promotions plan and work with the Zoo's marketing department to implement; work with external vendors to fulfill a donor's request; order and receive the products; coordinate with Zoo Maintenance staff to ensure the proper installation of the items.
• Creates marketing and promotion plans and works with the Zoo's Marketing department to implement; work with external vendors to fulfill a donor's request; order and receive the products; coordinates with Zoo Maintenance staff to ensure the proper installation of the items.
• Coordinates and manages, in person and online, the Zoo's "wish list" to which includes communicating with the Zoo's General Curator and other members of the leadership team to identify needs to offset annual operations. Communicates regularly with all Zoo department leaders to receive approval on items; manages the Zoo's online wish lists; coordinates the acceptance of items and distributes them to Zoo the designated departments appropriately.
• Ensures meeting worksheets are produced and distributed for all department events, meetings, and functions; follows up the day-of events/meetings to ensure plans are executed as desired.; attends weekly Zoo staff Operations Meeting to represent the Development Department and answer questions about the department or Board events, meetings, activities, etc.
• Attends weekly Zoo Staff Operations meetings to represent the Development department and answer questions about the department or Board events, meetings, activities, etc.
• Serves as a representative of the Louisville Zoo, Zoo Foundation, Friends of the Louisville Zoo and Louisville Metro Government at Zoo events onsite and within the community.
• Contacts card holders and the public concerning renewing zoo memberships, and the purchasing of new memberships.
• Assists the supervisor with preparing materials for training programs.
• Maintains a database to track renewals and new memberships, and processes correspondence regarding memberships.
• Develops and promotes sponsor ships, in-kind services, donations and gifts, and prepares funding proposals.
• Schedules events and activities to increase the opportunity for receiving funds and to increase the financial viability of the organization.
• Secures, designs and produces advertising and mass marketing materials, and conducts sales presentations to potential…