POSITION TITLE:
Director of Development
DEPARTMENT:
Administration
REPORTS TO:
Chief Executive Officer and Fiends of Confluence (Secondary)
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director of Development position is established for the purpose of leading a comprehensive development program that will build a community of donors and friends, and secure vital resources to support students and teachers. The Director of Development will be a seasoned professional who is self-motivated, goal-oriented, and is passionate about education equity. The Director of Development will be responsible for implementing a robust development program that includes annual giving, major gifts, grant management and planned giving activities. This individual will also be responsible for identifying and cultivating current and new donors, leaders. Build relationships with corporate, foundation members. Execute engagement programs and appropriate outreach and fundraising events.
This job reports to Chief Executive Officer.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned:- Develop and execute a comprehensive development plan that integrates annual giving, major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, grants, special events and other fundraising initiatives to achieve established revenue goals.
- Partner with the CEO and leadership team to identify organizational funding priorities, develop fundraising strategies and maintain a compelling Case for Funding that is reviewed and updated annually.
- Cultivate and steward current and prospective donors through meaningful engagement, personalized communications, donor recognition and relationship-building strategies.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with corporate, foundation and community partners to expand funding opportunities and strengthen organizational visibility and support.
- Oversee the grants program, including managing the grant consultant, identifying prospective funders, monitoring funding priorities and grant cycles
- Oversee gift processing and donor database management until a Database Coordinator is hired, ensuring accurate receipt, allocation, recording and acknowledgement of gifts, data integrity, reporting, and effective use of donor information to support fundraising and stewardship.
- Track, evaluate and report on fundraising performance, including revenue, donor acquisition and retention, major gifts, annual giving, grants and other key development metrics.
- Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to student outcomes, alumni stories, program information and other content needed for donor communications, stewardship, social media, website content and other external communications.
- Collaborate with and support the CEO and Friends of Confluence, CA Board in engaging the Board in fundraising, donor cultivation, stewardship and other development activities.
- Monitor fundraising trends, philanthropic priorities and emerging opportunities related to education, charter schools and other areas relevant to Confluence Academies, using insights to inform development strategies.
- Supervise, support and develop development staff, establishing clear expectations, goals, performance measures and professional development opportunities.
- Represent Confluence Academies to donors, funders, community partners and other external stakeholders, serving as an effective ambassador for the organization’s mission, impact and funding priorities.
- Perform other fundraising and development duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.
Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
SKILLS are excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills and follow up. Excellent writing skills – able to craft messaging that articulates the need, is persuasive and appeals to multiple audiences. Strong organizational and time management skills.
KNOWLEDGE includes computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word and Excel. Database management. Proficient in utilizing Blackbaud, Raiser’s Edge, CharityEngine and/or other fundraising and donor management software.
ABILITY is required to supervise others. Understands how to engage social media platforms with fundraising efforts. Familiarity with St. Louis philanthropic networks is a plus. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with data of varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: being attentive to detail; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; communicating with persons with diverse technical knowledge and skills; maintaining confidentiality; and working with frequent interruptions.
Responsibility
Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; directing other persons within a small work unit; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.
Work Environment
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, 10% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment. Work is performed across school campuses, offices, and community partner sites. Regular travel is required.
Experience: Five (5) or more years of development/fundraising experience or appropriate related experience. A proven fundraising success including major gift solicitation, campaign management and community engagement. Success in working directly with major and mid-level giving donors, corporate funders, grant makers, Board members, committees, and volunteers. Demonstrated track record in building meaningful partnerships with donors and stakeholders.
Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher
Required Testing
None Specified
Certificates and Licenses
None Specified
Continuing Educ. / Training
None Specified
Clearances
Criminal Background Clearance
FLSA Status: Exempt
Skills Required
- Five or more years of development, fundraising, or related experience
- Proven fundraising success, including major gift solicitation, campaign management, and community engagement
- Experience working with major and mid-level donors, corporate funders, grant makers, board members, committees, and volunteers
- Demonstrated success building meaningful partnerships with donors and stakeholders
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal communication, writing, organizational, and time-management skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel
- Database management experience and proficiency with Blackbaud, Raiser's Edge, CharityEngine, or similar fundraising software
- Ability to supervise and develop staff
- Ability to use social media platforms for fundraising
- Familiarity with St. Louis philanthropic networks
- Criminal background clearance
What We Do
Confluence Academies is a non-profit public charter school network based in St. Louis, Missouri, dedicated to providing high-quality pre-collegiate education for students from pre-kindergarten through high school graduation. Established in 2003, it has grown into one of the largest networks of public charter schools in the city and state, currently serving over 3,500 students across five campus locations.
