Director of Donor Engagement

GIRL SCOUT MISSION

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Donor Engagement is primarily responsible for cultivating, soliciting and stewarding existing and new major donors whose gifts support the organization's long-term sustainability. The Director of Donor Engagement leads, plans and oversees a variety of development efforts in support of the Council’s short and long-term strategic goals.  

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Manage a portfolio of major gift donors primarily in the greater Peoria area, and ensure the council meets annual fundraising goals.   
• Oversee the council’s fund development program including, but not limited to, annual giving, special events, major gifts and planned giving. 
• Administer and improve council CRM software and processes in order to track gifts, manage donor relationships, analyze and automate workflows to maximize fundraising efficiency and drive data-based decision-making.   
• Hire, train and supervise and support the fund development team ensuring appropriate metrics are consistently achieved. Play a key role in the continuous education of fund development staff regarding planning, impact and evaluation of results.  
• Organize a minimum of one fundraising or community-based cultivation event a year.
• Work closely with the CEO to identify principal gift prospects, overall fundraising strategy, involvement of the GSCI Board’s Fund Development Committee, and collaborate for a future campaign.     
• Work closely with GSCI’s Marketing and Strategy leaders in order to develop a coordinated organization-wide approach to donors and prospective donors; actively help to promote council key strategic priorities; coordinate engagement opportunities and share our story. 
• Direct planned giving efforts and strategy.    
• Maintain a strong presence and advocacy in the community. Build and strengthen relationships with funders by providing ongoing stewardship and evidence of return on objective.
• Serve as a liaison with the Girl Scouts of USA Philanthropy Team.        
• All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as needed.

• In support of the mission, be or become a registered member of Girl Scouts of the USA 
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or experience commensurate with degree.
• Minimum five years of experience in a fund development role, with 2 years demonstrated success in major gift initiatives, and supervisory experience.   
• Proven project management, budgeting, mentoring and staff development, excellent community cultivation and marketing skills.  
• Must have highly developed interpersonal skills, excellent customer service skills, and strong human relations skills such as leadership, networking, and ability to effectively manage conflict.  
• High degree of analytical, organization and communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Prior experience with CRM software and database management.
• Computer literacy and technical knowledge of computer software programs such as Word, Publisher, Excel and the internet; ability to write and edit effectively; ability to communicate the written and spoken word with tact, diplomacy, and/or authority when necessary.
• Well disciplined, able to meet multiple deadlines, self-starter, able to work under pressure of multiple priorities and deadlines; ability to work well as a part of a team; thorough understanding of local as well as regional markets. 
• Knowledge of long-range planning process.
• Support of the Council’s commitment to diversity and belonging.
• Knowledge of the Girl Scout program is beneficial. 
• Ability to travel daily, to other council offices, with some evening and weekend events, and occasional overnight travel.  
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record for council insurance, access to reliable personal vehicle for regular travel throughout the council, and state-required automobile insurance coverage. 
• Strong math skills and attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Ability to use sound judgment in decision-making, and to work independently. 
• Strong background in program planning and initiating development of projects. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and peers in furtherance of Council goals. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Walking, standing, balancing, bending, stooping, reaching and moderate lifting are required.  
• Ability to reach with hands and arms, use hands and fingers,  
• Ability to sit at a work station and/or a computer screen for up to 2 hours at a time. 
• Ability to drive council or personal vehicles.
• Ability to read numbers, reports and use computer, copy machine, keyboard, calculator and other office equipment.  
• Ability to talk or hear within normal range for phone or virtual meeting use.  
• Exposure to seasonal weather conditions.

SAFETY

All staff must be conversant with the safety rules and regulations. They must take reasonable steps to ensure their own health and safety, and that of anyone else who may be affected by their actions. They should inform their manager/supervisor of any hazard with which they are not trained to deal.

The entire position description will be carried out under the standard of conduct as outlined in the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Employee Handbook.

As an employee, you are a representative of Girl Scouts of the USA and people form their impressions of the council in part, based on their interaction with you. Every personal contact is with a current or potential donor to the council, thus the impression we make through community and professional contacts, and involvement in collaborations with agencies, groups or organizations is important. Fund development is a role assumed by all staff positions.