Director of Development, World Bicycle Relief

Mission: World Bicycle Relief is dedicated to providing access to independence and livelihood through The Power of Bicycles.

World Bicycle Relief (WBR) was founded in 2005 in response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami. In its first program, World Bicycle Relief partnered with aid organizations on the ground in Sri Lanka to distribute over 24,000 bicycles to assist in the rebuilding of lives by providing access to education and healthcare and reconnecting workers to their livelihood.

After the success of this disaster relief program in Sri Lanka, World Bicycle Relief was approached by aid organizations working in Sub-Saharan Africa to assist with volunteer healthcare programs in Zambia where a significant portion of the population was suffering the effects of HIV/AIDS. In partnership with local aid organizations, World Bicycle Relief worked to provide 23,000 specially designed, locally assembled, rugged bicycles to healthcare workers treating HIV/AIDS patients. The organization also trained local field mechanics to build, maintain and repair bicycles. This program in Zambia led to its work in microfinance, education, and field mechanics training programs across Africa. WBR bicycles are now distributed in Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, South Africa, Southern Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Governed by a nine-person Board of Directors, World Bicycle Relief now has an operating budget of nearly $6 million and 80 employees with four factories in Africa and administrative offices in Chicago. Approximately $3 million of its budget is raised from some 7,000 active grassroots and major donors, with the balance from corporations and foundations, as well as in-kind donations. The organization holds one annual appeal. It derives more than $2 million in revenue via earned income with the sale of 15-16,000 bikes annually. World Bicycle Relief also has a variety of existing corporate supporters within and outside of the bicycle industry.

Approximately 76.4% of the agency's budget is dedicated to direct programmatic support, with 12.2% on administration and 11.4% on fundraising.

Position Overview:

The Director of Development is a newly structured position, part of the executive management team for the organization and slated to be one of two direct reports to the Chief Operating Officer. The Director of Development leads a seven person Development Team (encompassing fundraising and marketing/communications) and works closely to coordinate and integrate an active and participatory Board of Directors in World Bicycle Relief's development goals and activities.

S/he directly supervises the following positions:

• development manager
• development assistant
• graphic designer
• communications manager
• two grassroots development associates in Colorado.

Opportunity:

World Bicycle Relief offers a unique opportunity to make a substantive and long-lasting impact on the lives of people in some of the planet's least economically developed countries (LEDCs). To date, World Bicycle Relief has distributed over 95,000 bicycles, trained 750 field mechanics, and changed the lives of countless families. This young organization is in a period of major growth and expansion. In the past three years, its overall budget, staff size, and countries of operation have more than tripled , and now World Bicycle Relief at a critical stage in its evolution. Its loyal and committed Board, many of whom are business and civic leaders, provides a diverse base of support for the organization and its executive team.

The successful candidate will have the satisfaction of guiding a growing, highly visible and market-leading organization through its next phase of development and of stewarding a collaborative group effort of profound humanitarian merit.

Responsibilities:

Key duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Provide the leadership, strategic direction, management and coordination for all aspects of the organization's fundraising efforts and manage the development department in a fiscally sound manner;
• Prepare the annual fundraising plan in collaboration with the COO for presentation to the Senior Management and the Board of Directors; provide detailed reports about the fundraising progress to the COO and Development Committee of the Board on a regular basis;
• Implement fundraising strategies that increase the organization's support from individuals, corporations, foundations and other sources, with a special emphasis on developing major donors;
• Play a key, hands-on role in identifying, cultivating and soliciting major donors for annual and multi-year gifts;
• Build partnering relationship with the organization's leadership and staff; understand programs thoroughly, work collaboratively with program staff to integrate innovative development strategies throughout the organization; involve directors and managers in relationship building as appropriate;
• Work effectively with the Board of Directors, Development Committee and other key volunteers, leveraging their talents, resources and ideas to enhance fundraising activities; understand the Board's giving patterns; enhance board members' ability to identify fundraising opportunities and encourage their ongoing participation as donors and solicitors;
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with the corporate partners both within and outside of the bicycling community;
• Ensure that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to support the organization's future fundraising goals; identify and develop professional growth opportunities for the development staff;
• Appropriately thank all donors and ensure they receive regular communication; make donor stewardship a priority throughout the organization.
• Ensure a highly skilled professional team is in place to create a stable flow of funds and maintain diverse source of revenue.

Qualifications:

Our client is seeking a seasoned fundraising executive with a minimum of 10 years of successful development experience, including 3-5 years as the manager of a high performing team and a complex fundraising program in a sophisticated organization with a reputation for excellence. A demonstrable track record of personally identifying, cultivating and soliciting individual donors, corporations and foundations for support is essential. Experience with projects in the developing world, while not required, is desirable. Equivalent profit sector experience in sales, marketing, or other related disciplines coupled with nonprofit volunteer work will also be considered.

In addition, s/he should have:

• Proven experience and track record of success with major donor solicitation and the ability and confidence to make the ask when appropriate;
• Demonstrated experience in managing people and budgets;
• A record of measurable results in organizing and implementing such activities as: major gifts, annual funds, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, direct response and special events;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and quickly gain the respect and support of various constituencies, including board and staff members, donors, foundation and civic leaders; experience recruiting and organizing volunteers;
• A solid understanding of nonprofit fiscal management, principles and best practices;
• A track record as an effective communicator; highly developed skills in writing and speaking; competence at crafting proposals, donor correspondence and other kinds of materials; the ability to communicate the organization's mission and interests to a broad audience;
• Familiarity with the major donor community in NY, San Francisco, Chicago and other major US cities where the organization has the potential for support would be a plus.
• Experience with social enterprises as well as traditional development organizations would also be a plus.

Personal Characteristics:

The ideal candidate will be a strategist who possess strong leadership skills and who is adept at planning, prioritizing, organizing and following through; highly energetic and able to balance multiple competing priorities. In addition, s/he will be:

• Highly entrepreneurial; resourceful and flexible, with the ability to anticipate and act on events and opportunities which may advance World Bicycle Relief's work locally, regionally, and nationally;
• Comfortable with goal setting, quantifying results and accountability;
• Committed to, knowledgeable of and enthusiastic about the organization's mission and programs;
• A team builder with strong skills in management and leadership; must have an understanding of the subtleties of motivating and directing a diverse group of personalities;
• A catalyst with vision who can create excitement and energy around the organization's programs and encourage others to support the organization; persuasive, persistent, and determined in the pursuit of the organization's fundraising goals;
• Straightforward and self-possessed; one who shares information readily, listens as well as gives advice and respects the abilities of others; diplomatic;
• Energetic and willing to work hands-on in developing and executing a variety of fundraising activities ranging from the day-to-day to the highly creative and visible;
• Possessed of a strong work ethic and the recognition that development is not a 9-5 job; that evening and weekend work is sometimes required for success;
• Self-motivated and detail oriented.

To Apply:

To apply, please send a résumé and cover letter via e-mail or fax.

Joe McCormack, Managing Partner
McCormack & Associates
1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive
Suite 110-202
Palm Springs, CA 92264

All inquiries or referrals will be held in strict confidence.

Please note that your education, dates of employment, compensation and other information provided will be verified prior to employment.

McCormack & Associates works only with equal opportunity employers.