Director of Development

Oregon's Governor Tom McCall helped establish SOLVE over 43 years ago as an organization that would pay less attention to the political, social and generational things that might divide its citizens, and more attention to the one thing that could unite them: a love for Oregon. Oregonians take seriously their responsibility to manage their environment and their society.

Today, SOLVE provides Oregonians the opportunity to give something back. SOLVE engages, educates, and supports Oregonians statewide to help take care of Oregon's beautiful beaches, rivers, and landscapes through volunteering. Known for pioneering an all-volunteer beach cleanup that has become a national model for citizen action, SOLVE is equally active in bringing Oregonians together to restore watersheds, pick-up litter, and in educating our young people on environmental stewardship.

Oregon faces many challenges - everything from marine debris resulting from the 2011 Japanese tsunami to invasive species destroying our inland natural areas. SOLVE is the organization that Oregonians look to for leadership and the organization for volunteer action to meet these challenges. We work to inspire every Oregonian to show their love and support of Oregon - It is Our Nature to Volunteer.

Responsibilities:

• Build and manage a multi-faceted development program, with an annual prospect pipeline of at least $2.5 million, to generate $1.8 million per year (~$450K/quarter) in the first 2 years, while laying the foundation for revenue sustainability and growth in year 3 and beyond
• Create and implement a strategic, multiyear development plan, with related, annual action plans, that build on current fundraising initiatives and include new initiatives (e.g. earned income) to meet and provide growth for SOLVE's strategic and financial goals; develop donor-centered strategies to engage individuals, businesses, foundations and government entities.
• Grow SOLVE's endowment fund, primarily via bequests and planned gifts.
• Manage a 3- to 5-person development team, including contractors and interns, as appropriate, to implement development plans and achieve goals; provide team with quality leadership, training and supervision for optimum results.
• Serve on SOLVE's leadership team and fill in for Executive Director, as appropriate.
• Create and implement donor-centered strategies to effectively engage top prospects and donors.
• Effectively coach and leverage volunteer and staff leaders to help cultivate and engage donors and prospects with SOLVE.
• Identify and build initiatives that grow philanthropy through external relationships and partnerships in support of SOLVE's mission.
• Establish, organize and lead appropriate fundraising events that meet or exceed goals.
• Ensure that donor and prospect information is properly tracked and managed in SOLVE's constituent database.
• Ensure appropriate development contracts are created and executed in a timely manner (in cooperation with legal, ED, Operations, and Finance) to accomplish the mission.
• Create and execute appropriate Marketing and Communication plans to generate an ever-increasing awareness of SOLVE and philanthropy in Oregon.
• Create and execute project management metrics and risk management plans to effectively track and achieve development goals.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds; foster multicultural and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Work with Finance to document and maintain key development processes and ensure audit readiness.
• The position reports to the Executive Director.

Qualifications:

• Strong passion and affinity for SOLVE's mission.
• Minimum 5 years of successful, relevant donor stewardship, relationship-building and fund raising experience, including proven success securing gifts from wealthy individuals.
• Minimum 5 years in people management and effective organization leadership.
• Minimum 4-year college degree in a related discipline.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout Oregon, as needed, for meetings and events with donors, prospects, volunteers, the media, etc.
• Strong track record of successfully managing multiple complex tasks to completion.
• Proven analytic and problem solving skills.
• Proven strategic thinker who effectively executes strategies.
• Self-motivated, with proven ability to operate independently.
• Proven presentation, written and oral communication skills.
• Proven team-oriented collaborative results, with internal and external constituencies.

Compensation: Competitive based on skills and experiences with opportunity for occasional incentives as determined by the ED and Board.

Closing Date: August 15, 2012

To Apply:

This search is being conducted by WVDO. Please submit a résumé, cover letter and references. No calls.

Equal Opportunity Employer.