Development Director

OEC’s Development Director oversees the strategy and implementation of OEC’s fundraising activities, including donor communications, major donor cultivation and stewardship, membership, planned giving, foundation and corporate giving, events, and development operations. This position is personally responsible for raising major and planned gifts, with an emphasis on cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. The Development Director reports to the Executive Director and supervises a multi-person development team.

This position works closely with the Executive Director, the Board, and other staff to provide organizational leadership, ensure financial health and stability, and support a strong team and a healthy work environment.

• In collaboration with the development team, develops and implements an annual plan, ensuring that revenue goals, donor engagement priorities, and staffing capacity are aligned and actively managed
• Leads and supports the team in the development and implementation of OEC’s organizational fundraising strategies, including but not limited to major gifts, planned gifts, foundations, membership, corporate sponsor ships, and fundraising events
• Manages performance evaluations for development staff, including goal setting, annual reviews, and continuing professional development
• Collaborates with the Executive Director and Board of Directors and serves as staff liaison to the Board fundraising committee
• Works with OEC’s Communications Director to develop plans and materials that engage, inform and inspire OEC’s donors
• Promotes a culture of philanthropy, fostering an understanding of philanthropy across the organization

Planning & Implementation (20%)

• Utilizes Salesforce and donor analytics to guide decision-making, monitor performance, track activity and revenue progress
• Partners with the Executive Director, finance and development teams to provide fundraising revenue projections, monitor progress against budget, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend strategy adjustments
• Leads regular portfolio review meetings to identify leads, ensure assigned prospects have clear strategies, solicitation timelines, documented activity, and realistic revenue projections
• Directly manages, stewards, and engages a portfolio of 60-80 major and planned gift donors and prospects
• Manages and grows the planned giving program
• Creates tailored strategies for donors across portfolios, focusing on multi-year campaign commitments, major donor retention and upgrades
• Participates in all aspects of the gift cycle:
  • Initiates contact with prospective leadership and major gift donors
  • Develops appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with volunteers
  • Moves potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure
  • Makes solicitations when appropriate
  • Maintains stewardship contacts with donors; adheres to the highest ethical standards; demonstrates empathetic disposition and perseverance; reflects optimistic and positive attitude, and conveys sensitivity to needs of the donor

Required Knowledge, Experience and Certifications

• Minimum five years of major gift solicitation experience, with an emphasis on building relationships with prospects and key community members
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience with a firm commitment to collaborative, team-oriented management and proficiency in culturally sensitive supervision
• Demonstrated experience soliciting six figure gifts and planned gifts
• Valid driver’s license with a clean motor vehicle and background check

Required Skills, Abilities and Qualities

• Excellent interpersonal skills; an eagerness to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment; positive, flexible attitude
• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to work under pressure; ability to manage multiple projects while keeping a “big picture” strategic view
• Demonstrated ability to help staff plan, manage, and complete complex projects on time and within budget
• Effective problem-solving skills; ethic of continuous improvement
• Self-motivation and initiative; ability to work independently; entrepreneurial…