Chief Development Officer

Department: Development

Reports to: CEO

Supervises: Director of Corporate Partnerships, Director of Communications, Director of Foundation Relations, Director of Donor Relations, Data Systems Manager, Volunteer Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

Miriam’s Kitchen works to end chronic homelessness in Washington, DC. The Chief Development Officer is a senior staff position charged with creating and ensuring execution of strategy to raise more than $7m from private resources. The individual in this key role will work closely with the CEO, Board Members, Executive Team, and Directors Team. They will lead efforts in the design and implementation of a comprehensive and strategic development program from diverse resources (individuals, foundations and corporations). They will also lead donor-focused communications to engage current donors and convince prospective donors to contribute to Miriam’s Kitchen.

The Chief Development Officer serves as a member of the Executive Team, Miriam’s Kitchen’s senior management team, which also includes the CEO, the Deputy CEO & Chief Strategy Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Chief Program Officer.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Create and ensure execution of strategy to raise $7m+ from private resources.

• Develop yearly overall funding goal
• Set data-driven caseloads for development team members
• Set donor retention, increase and leadership giving goals
• Launch formal Planned Giving program

2. Work closely with Directors Teams to meet revenue goals and ensure the development strategy is integrated and well-supported across the full organization.

3. Work closely with Executive and Directors Teams to develop unified Miriam’s Kitchen messages to key audiences: donors, volunteers, guests, and internal staff (strong emphasis on donor communications). 

4. Create and implement a strategic marketing and communication plan for development including brochures, newsletters, direct mail, advertising, website content, social media, e-blasts, and events to encourage major and planned gift inquiries and completed gifts.

5. Personally identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of potential leadership and major gift donors (minimum 50, max 100)

• Prepare customized gift plan proposals personalized for the donors’ unique personal, financial and charitable goals. If necessary, for Planned Gifts, consult with outside tax and Estate Planning Advisors 

6. Treat volunteers as a distinct constituency requiring the same cultivation and stewardship as donors and build pathways for volunteers to become financial supporters.

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Volunteer Manager on volunteer engagement and growth
• Develop stewardship practices that recognize and retain volunteers over time
• Create deliberate paths from volunteering to giving, and from giving to volunteering

7. Keep abreast of current development and communications trends through continuing education and community involvement.

8. Support the Board and Board Development Committee as appropriate to meet revenue goals.

9. Be a spokesperson for Miriam’s Kitchen.

10. Participate in strategic planning processes and contribute to citywide work as appropriate.

11. Create robust evaluation/metrics system to determine success of communication and development efforts for department, board and other volunteer fundraisers.

12. Own the fundraising data systems and CRM, ensuring the database supports the department’s revenue strategy and serves as the organization’s system of record for donors and gifts.

• Set standards for data entry, gift processing, acknowledgment, and donor record management
• Ensure timely and accurate revenue reporting and reconciliation with Finance, including the support of the yearly audit field work
• Guide CRM configuration, integrations, and data hygiene practices
• Use segmentation, dashboards, and analytics to inform caseloads, campaigns, and donor strategy

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree required (or equivalent experience)
• Genuine commitment to ending chronic homelessness and to Miriam’s Kitchen’s Housing First approach
• Prior experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization preferred
• Strong desire to fundraise and support a team, work collaboratively and interdepartmentally
• Experience in development is important, ideally five to ten years, with a passion for connecting with donors (comparable sales experience will be considered)
• Experience developing and managing a department budget of comparable scale
• Excellent management, public speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong ability and desire to work strategically and collaboratively
• Detail oriented, with an ability to see both the forest and the trees
• Ability to manage up, down and across effectively
• Proven ability to work well in the midst of both clear goals and complex environments
• Proficiency in Word and Excel required; knowledge of Salesforce fundraising software or similar fundraising software/databases strongly recommended
• Solid diplomacy skills (able to successfully manage external relationships and effectively liaise with colleagues at all levels)
• Demonstrated experience as a senior leader or executive team member, including strategic decision making, organizational planning, and representing an organization to a Board of Directors

WORK EXPECTATIONS

• In-program service is required. This includes assisting with meal service, dining room guest services, or other hands-on direct service activities at least once per month.
• In-office presence is required at least two days per week, with Thursdays as the core in-office day.
• Donor meetings, cultivation visits, and fundraising events are an essential part of this role and will occasionally require availability during evenings and weekends, including on non-office days.

BENEFITS:   

Miriam’s Kitchen is proud to offer comprehensive benefits that support the continued health and wellbeing of our team including: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; 100% employer-paid short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance; employer retirement contributions; generous annual paid leave, and annual professional development funds for all full and part-time team members.

EEO Statement: Miriam’s Kitchen is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. We strongly encourage candidates from historically marginalized backgrounds to apply.