Senior Director of Advancement

We are looking for an experienced, senior-level fundraising leader to join our growing team at Project Success as our Senior Director of Advancement. Project Success is a youth development nonprofit organization that helps students connect to their purpose. We work with more than 16,000 6th-12th grade students and their families annually and have more than 225,000 alumni around the world. Learn more at projectsuccess.org.

The Senior Director of Advancement (SDA) will build on a strong foundation shaped by more than 30 years of mission-driven work. They will lead efforts to strengthen our Advancement strategy and team for long-term growth and sustainability. The SDA will lead Project Success fundraising efforts and is responsible for an annual fundraising goal. They work closely with the Executive Director and the Development Committee Chair(s) of the Board of Directors to develop fundraising plans, strategies, and tactics that increase the organization’s philanthropic and in-kind support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other partners. They will oversee the Advancement team in executing those strategies. A key focus of the role includes cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors across all areas of giving, with a particular focus on major and transformational gifts.

This role reports to the Executive Director and serves as a member of the Senior Leadership team. Within the organization, they work closely with the finance & administrative teams, senior management, and program staff. They work closely with the Board of Directors, including the Development Committee, as well as the Engagement & Outreach Committee and other connected groups. Outside of Project Success, they will connect with donors, funders, volunteers, vendors, and contractors.

The SDA provides overall leadership and management of the Advancement Team including:

• Director of Development
• Development Operations Associate
• Events & Special Projects Consultant
• Senior Communications Manager

Our ideal candidate has a successful track record of developing annual organizational fundraising plans, meeting annual goals, personally identifying, cultivating, and soliciting a variety of constituents, and analyzing the effectiveness of fundraising efforts. They are an experienced team leader who can guide a thriving Advancement team, lead at a strategic level, and step in to support execution when needed. They bring excellent organizational, collaboration, and communication skills, and can work effectively with various internal and external partners. They are trustworthy with a high sense of integrity, and have the ability to build and nurture relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.

CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Revenue Generation

• In partnership with the Executive Director, lead goal to increase the overall organizational revenue from $4.2M to $6.2M+ in the next 3 fiscal years through funding from corporations, foundations, individuals, government, and events
• Lead annual development plan strategy, with a focus on major and transformational gifts and identifying new sources of revenue
• Lead efforts to deepen existing funder relationships and steward current donors into greater levels of support
• Successfully achieve the specific fundraising goal assigned to the role, per the development plan
• Direct solicitation and stewardship strategies and tactics of the Advancement team, including appeals, grant proposals, events, letters, sponsorship packets, and other development tools

Senior Staff & Board Leadership

• Work closely with the Executive Director, Development Committee, and the Board of Directors to lead the analysis, development, and execution of the annual development plan
• Serve as the staff partner for the Development Committee and the Engagement & Outreach Committee
• Attend Board of Directors and Committee meetings as needed
• Work closely with the Executive Director and other members of the Senior Leadership team to plan and evaluate the financial needs for the future
• Develop portfolio goals for members of the Advancement team
• Support the Executive Director in successfully engaging, educating, and training Senior Leadership and Board Members in donor cultivation and professional fundraising techniques
• Prepare and accompany the Executive Director and Board Chair on solicitations, as needed
• Collaborate with the Senior Communications Manager and other staff to develop and execute a successful external relations and communications strategy that matches the goals identified in the Development plan
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Director of Administration to develop and produce regular development reports for Senior Leadership, Committee, and Board Meetings

Team Management & Infrastructure

• Manage, support, and evaluate the day-to-day operations of the Advancement team, including the direct people management of the staff members
• Oversee the Advancement team in identifying and pursuing grants and gifts
• Manage the Advancement team's daily operations, budgets, and progress reports
• Manage the process of building the annual report, as well as take leadership over specific elements of the annual audit
• Manage the process of connecting fundraising strategies with brand messaging, ensuring donor campaigns, appeals, grant submissions, events and materials reflect PS’s mission and values
• Provide strategic insight into all donor-facing materials, and strategic support on the full range of external stakeholder communications
• Work with the Advancement team to ensure strong systems for gift tracking and acknowledgement, donor stewardship and cultivation, and donor communications
• Work closely with the Director of Administration to ensure accurate and efficient revenue tracking and reporting, providing details as needed for ongoing financial reports

Other Duties as Assigned

MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES + INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY

We are looking for individuals that are passionate about the success of our students and share the mission, vision, and values of Project Success.

Mission: Project Success motivates and inspires young people to dream about the future, helps them take steps to get there and gives them the tools they need to achieve their goals.

Vision: Every child entering middle school will graduate high school with a plan for their future and have the skills and confidence that will take them through the rest of their lives.

Values:

Kids First!

Our work is led by a passion for young people. We are here first and foremost because we believe in young people and the power they have to create successful happy lives. The principle of “Kids First” guides decisions and programming.

Dependability, Reliability, and Trust

We are committed to always being dependable, reliable, and trustworthy in order to create a healthy environment in the workplace, schools, theaters, and community.

A Non-Judgmental Environment

We meet every person and situation with openness and acceptance. Project Success operates in a fair and balanced system that offers all students an equal playing field – an environment that is conducive to their growth and to taking the necessary steps toward achieving their dreams.

Willingness to Grow and Change

We value ongoing personal and organizational learning and growing through self-assessment, creative thinking, and problem solving to better serve our mission.

Love is the Key

We maintain a positive outlook and remind ourselves to always come from a place of love. We recognize that a patient and loving response to any situation is always the best answer.

Develop Healthy Relationships

Through teamwork and the constant application of our values, we will develop and maintain healthy relationships with students and families, school and theater staff, co-workers, and people in the community.

Clear and Open Communication

We are committed to maintaining an open, honest, and ongoing communication with all who are involved with Project Success. This includes co-workers, students, school staff, parents, families, theater partners, our supporters, and general members of the community.

Sustain Excellence

We are committed to excellence in every area of our organization. By constantly adhering to these core values, we will sustain an inspiring, effective, and high quality program.

Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (I.D.E.A.):

Project Success strives to connect students to their purpose by creating programming that truly serves our students and families. We envision a Project Success where inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility are fully integrated into everything we do. We aim to hire individuals that care deeply about students, families, and community, share our values, and are committed to practicing ongoing anti-racism work and I.D.E.A. principles.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Senior Director of Advancement must have a deep connection to Project Success’s mission as well as share our commitment to I.D.E.A. They must be a strategic leader with proven experience in nonprofit fundraising, both in leading a team to achieve goals as well as managing a portfolio of their own.

While no individual candidate will possess all the elements below, the ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate many of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Experienced Fundraiser: 10+ years of nonprofit development experience including any combination of working with individual donors, organizational giving, annual funds, campaigns, grants, and events experience.
• Knowledge & Networking: An active member of the broader fundraising community, staying engaged with current trends and best practices. Continuously builds networks and knowledge in the field to build informed and stronger strategy.
• Strategy & Execution: Strong decision-making skills and ability to effectively set and implement plans to achieve fundraising goals. The ability to inspire the Advancement team while simultaneously managing a portfolio of donors.
• Youth Development: Knowledgeable and actively engaged in the education and/or youth development spaces. Understands the factors that affect those areas and how that impacts our work.
• Team Leadership: Inspires and activates staff to achieve their goals, both individually and as part of the Advancement team.
• Senior Leadership: Experience as a Senior Leader at a nonprofit organization, with previous responsibilities and engagement with a Board of Directors.
• Relationship Building: Excited and engaged relationship-builder who easily connects and builds trust with everyone they interact with. Builds strong bonds with new connections to the organization and are actively present at community events to expand their network.
• System Builder: Experience building a successful development program that allows for substantial organizational growth.
• Data-driven: Brings a data-driven approach to development, including identifying prospects, tracking progress towards goals, and effectively utilizing our development software systems (including Raiser’s Edge/RENXT).

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Graduate degree preferred in a fundraising, nonprofit, or finance related field (or a combination of training, education, and experiences that provides similar knowledge, skills, and abilities)
• 10+ years of nonprofit development experience (including any combination of working with individual donors, organizational giving, government grants, annual funds, campaigns, and/or events experience)
• 5+ years of direct people management experience
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) or Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) designation preferred

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Must have a valid driver's license and auto insurance
• Ability to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods, including movement up and down stairs and throughout office environment and at events
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times and 50 pounds on occasion

POSITION DETAILS

This position is a full-time salaried exempt position. This role will be hybrid, with aspects of the role required to be completed at the Project Success office in Minneapolis, remotely, and in meetings with partners & donors. The work schedule will vary depending on the needs of the position and will include evening and weekend hours for events and meetings. Travel will be up to 20%, primarily local. More details about the work schedule will be discussed during the interview process.

The compensation package includes the following:

• $105K - $125K starting annual salary
  • Starting salary is dependent on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience
• Generous Paid Time Off Package including vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Excellent Benefits Package for employees, where PS pays 100% of the monthly premium
• SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with up to a 3% match
• Free parking at the PS office

TO APPLY

Please email the following to apply@projectsuccess.org with a subject line including the name of the position, directed to Adrienne Diercks, Executive Director:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• 3 Professional References
• Where you heard about us and/or found the job posting

To learn more about Project Success, please visit: https://www.projectsuccess.org/join-our-team/

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. All inquiries will remain confidential.