Chief Development Officer

Oct 31

William Way LGBT Community Center
Philadelphia, PA

Anticipated Start Date: Winter 2024/2025

Description

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) oversees the evaluation, execution, strategy, and expansion of the William Way LGBT Community Center’s comprehensive development and communications program. Reporting to the Executive Director, the CDO will be a key member of the senior leadership team, supporting both the development and capital campaign committees of the Board of Directors, and managing a team of five individuals (when fully staffed) with the opportunity to grow the team over time.

This role comes at a pivotal moment for WWCC, as the organization is in the midst of a major capital campaign aimed at securing a new facility to expand its reach and serve the community more effectively. As this campaign nears completion, the CDO will focus their efforts on resource development strategies that will sustain WWCC’s operational needs in this new, larger footprint. The CDO is responsible for leading all fund development, marketing, and communication activities to ensure the successful operation and fulfillment of WWCC’s strategic programmatic goals and initiatives.

As part of this strategy, the CDO will set, monitor, evaluate, and report on goals for revenue and sustainable growth including capital, planned, and six- and seven-figure operations gifts. The CDO guides new relationship cultivation and nurtures an existing donor portfolio and stewards both new and returning government, foundation, and other funding sources, including events. The CDO also sets the strategic direction for WWCC’s fundraising and communications. The CDO works closely with the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for ensuring all annual fundraising and communications goals are met. In addition, the CDO collaborates with other members of the management team, especially in finance and programs, to ensure open dialogue and effective reporting.

The CDO stays informed about trends in philanthropy, fund development, and nonprofit management and provides counsel to the Executive Director, Development & Capital Campaign committees, and the Board of Directors to facilitate fund development policy making and recommend policy positions. The CDO ensures compliance with all relevant regulations and laws, maintains accountability standards for donors, and adheres to codes of ethics and standards of professional conduct for fundraising executives. Our next CDO will create and support a rewarding work environment for staff and volunteers to ensure the stability and sustainability of the development team. They will also be familiar with all aspects of the Center’s programs and client base to serve as a compelling ambassador and help identify and pursue new funding and marketing opportunities.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT/POLICY

WWCC is fully committed to the principles of equal opportunity employment and treats all employees and applicants without discrimination as to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, familial or marital status, personal appearance, height, weight, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability (if otherwise qualified with or without accommodation), HIV status, gender identity or expression, veterans status, known association with a disabled individual, possession of a diploma based on passing a general education development test, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy extends to, but is not limited to, recruitment, selection, compensation, benefits, promotion, training, and termination. All employees have the right to work in an environment free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Responsibilities

With the support of the Executive Director and the board, the Chief Development Officer will achieve the following major objectives while elevating the department’s infrastructure and processes:

Establish a strong relationship and partnership with the Executive Director to collaborate on setting strategy for the development and communications team, evaluate portfolios, and cultivate top donors and prospects. The CDO must work closely with the Executive Director to prioritize donor stewardship and solidify relationships with legacy donors, while simultaneously developing a strategy to engage new, younger, and more diverse supporters aligned with WWCC’s evolving mission.
Develop comprehensive fundraising and communications plans aligned with WWCC’s strategic goals and capital campaign outcomes, in collaboration with the Executive Director. These plans should include revitalizing donor engagement strategies, targeting legacy donors for planned giving, and expanding the outreach to new donors who represent WWCC’s future vision.
Support the work of the Build the Way Capital Campaign Committee. While the capital campaign is nearing its completion, the CDO will need to ensure that these efforts come to fruition. This includes working with the committee to leverage the remaining campaign milestones while simultaneously shifting focus toward developing sustainable fundraising strategies for the Center’s ongoing operational needs.
Rebuild and professionalize donor stewardship practices by developing consistent processes for engaging, cultivating, and thanking donors. This includes revitalizing relationships with legacy donors who have been under-engaged in recent years, ensuring their contributions are honored and sustained through planned giving.
Develop a strong case statement for both the Center and the Capital Campaign. This will include articulating the vision for the new facility and the expanded mission of WWCC as an inclusive space for the broader LGBTQIA+ community. The case statement should be tailored to different donor segments, from legacy donors to new prospects, to emphasize both historical and future impact.
Engage and evaluate all third-party contractors related to fundraising, marketing, website maintenance, and communications. Given the Center’s reliance on temporary consultants, the CDO must assess current partnerships and bring a systems-oriented approach to centralizing these efforts under a cohesive, long-term strategy for development and communications.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chief Development Officer will develop, implement, and evaluate the organization’s fundraising plan, strategy, and goals with the following responsibilities:

Manage and lead development department staff, identify staff training needs, and conduct performance reviews.
Collaborate across departments to meet annual revenue and other departmental objectives.
Attend board meetings and lead board participation in organizational resource development, media, marketing, and communications in concert with the Executive Director.
Solicit and secure contributions from a diverse portfolio of corporations, foundations, government bodies, and individuals.
Implement systems and structures to maximize philanthropic revenue from all sources; develop a plan to support implementation of a planned giving program.
Develop high-level solicitation strategies with the Executive Director, Board, and key relationship managers; provide oversight for and review proposals and solicitation materials; coordinate fundraising activities to ensure consistency.
Formalize the relationship management process from identification through stewardship to increase donor retention and renewal rates and develop comprehensive donor recognition programs.
Provide oversight and guidance for development operations, prospect research, and donor engagement functions including special events, cause marketing campaigns, and accurate and timely record keeping.
Develop and manage the annual fundraising and communications budget in partnership with the COO; work closely with the operations team to forecast annual revenue goals, direct monthly revenue reconciliation, and manage donor reports to maintain accuracy and financial accountability.

Requirements

Strong CDO candidates bring most of the following skill sets, qualifications, and experience:

Deep belief in the mission, vision, and values of the William Way LGBT Community Center and an authentic understanding of and sensitivity to the issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community in Philadelphia.
A deep understanding of the principles of intersectionality, racial equity, and social justice, with a track record of engaging and uplifting diverse communities through development work.
Exceptional capacity for managing and leading a plan; a team player experienced in scaling up and centralizing fundraising activities.
Familiarity with modern fundraising tools, including CRM systems like Salesforce, digital communication platforms, and online giving strategies. Experience using data and technology to track performance and drive donor retention and acquisition efforts.
Experience in setting and executing goals, creating accountability, and providing leadership for fundraising campaigns.
Ability to think strategically, anticipate future trends, and incorporate them into a long-term plan.
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience is required.
Extensive experience in comprehensive fundraising and communications, with a proven ability to guide strategy and lead teams of development professionals. Demonstrated track record of progressively managing a diverse portfolio and overseeing large-scale fundraising efforts.
As a small organization, operating in a very dynamic environment, flexibility and teamwork is required. Employees are expected to work collaboratively to ensure WWCC’s success. Some remote work is possible with the expectation of working on-site three days per week.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$110,000 - $120,000

How to Apply for this Job

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About the Organization

The William Way LGBT Community Center (WWCC) has served the LGBTQIA+ community of Philadelphia and its allies since 1975. From social groups, networking events, and counseling and support services to art exhibitions and cultural experiences, the Center consistently strives to provide new and innovative programs for the LGBTQIA+ communities throughout Greater Philadelphia. Mission The William Way LGBT Community Center seeks to engage and support the diverse LGBTQIA+ communities in the Greater Philadelphia area through arts & culture, empowerment, and community connections. Vision We want all LGBTQIA+ people to feel safe, connected, and empowered. We strive to be a community center whose staff, management, and board reflect the vibrant and richly diverse communities we serve.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND THE BUILD THE WAY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

Every member of the community is welcomed to the Center, because every single person within our community is William Way’s greatest asset. For almost 50 years, WWCC has been a resource and hub for the LGBTQIA+ community, and we are proud to have served and continue in that role. WWCC opens its doors for visitors and friends to forge alliances, share confidences, engage in new activities, and learn something new about our proud culture and history.

The amenities of the Center include a 14,000-volume lending library, a world-class LGBTQIA+ history archives, a public art and exhibition space, a brand-new cyber center, and multiple community meeting spaces. WWCC is embarking on a daring and visionary project to transform and rebuild our existing community center into a more expansive, inclusive, colorful, and unabashedly queer space for all LGBTQIA+ individuals to gather, celebrate, learn, and find life-giving support. We are undertaking this historic effort by partnering with a diverse cross-section of community leaders, stakeholders, funders, WWCC members, and more. Approximately $13.5M has been raised as part of the Build the Way Capital Campaign, with a goal of securing $27M.

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