Director of Development

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

About College Visions: Founded in 2004, College Visions is one of the oldest and most comprehensive college success organizations in Rhode Island. Every year, CV empowers 500 first-generation students to pursue their dream of earning a college degree. CV Scholars receive individualized support beginning with the college application process through college graduation. Our vision is that CV Scholars will earn degrees, build meaningful careers, and become our next generation of leaders. 

Position Summary: The Director of Development works to ensure that College Visions raises its annual budget (for FY25, the operating budget is $1.2 million). The Director is responsible for: (1) leading fund development efforts, (2) managing grants, budgets, and reporting, (3) engaging the board in fund development activities, and (4) communicating the CV story to external audiences to raise visibility and bolster fundraising. The Director of Development reports to the Executive Director and supervises the Development Associate.

Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership + Planning

Play a key leadership role in setting CV’s fund development goals and strategies.

• Work closely with the Executive Director to set annual fundraising goals
• Collaborate with the ED to develop and execute a comprehensive fund development plan
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board Fund Development committee
• Engage Board members in fund development
• Oversee fund development data systems

Grant Management

Oversee the organization’s grant work and maintains relationships with key funders.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with philanthropic institutions locally and nationally 
• Plan, supervise, and write grant proposals and grant reports
• Identify new funding opportunities consistent with CV’s mission, values, and strategic priorities 
• Maintain accurate, detailed funder records 
• Generate funder reports for the ED and Board 

Fundraising Campaigns

Develop and manage fundraising efforts.

• Collaborate with the ED to coordinate the Annual Campaign
• Plan and execute direct mail appeals
• Manage a portfolio of major donors
• Support identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major donors
• Work with the ED to secure corporate and small business donations
• Lead the planning and execution of fundraising events
• Maintain accurate, detailed donor records 

External Communications

Lead CV’s external communications efforts, which support fund development.

• Work with ED to design and implement CV’s public relations and marketing strategies
• Work to enhance CV’s public image
• Manage the design and distribution of both print and electronic publications 
• Oversee CV’s web presence, including website development and social media
• Work to secure media coverage

Talent Development and Personnel Management

Manage and motivate development staff to achieve outstanding results.

• Recruit, hire, and train development staff
• Facilitate the development staff’s professional growth and familiarity with best practices in non-profit fundraising and communications
• Implement supervision and performance review system with the development staff
• Set high expectations, communicate CV’s goals, hold development staff accountable for excellence, and celebrate victories

Professional Growth

• Seek out external professional development opportunities and maintain familiarity with best practices and emerging research in the fundraising and communications
• Build a network of professional contacts
• Strive for excellence, reflect on challenges, and celebrate victories

Organizational Development, Program Implementation, + Other Activities

• Document events and activities on an ongoing basis
• Assist with events, staff trainings, program evaluation, and other activities as needed
• Contribute to the development of new strategic initiatives
• Handle administrative tasks including maintenance of records, adherence to financial and HR policies, and upkeep of office space
• Participate in staff educational sessions to discuss current research, trends, and issues related to college access and persistence

Awesomeness

• Be awesome

Qualifications

• 5 years of development experience
• Ability to lead a development operation with outstanding results
• Ability to execute both high level strategy and day-to-day operations
• Event planning experience
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Positive, flexible, collaborative 
• Strong commitment to CV’s mission and values
• Bachelor’s degree required

Compensation/Benefits: The salary range for this position is $75K-$85K. CV offers generous time off, a hybrid work schedule, medical/dental/vision, retirement match, and other benefits. 

Apply: Please send resume and cover letter to Fernando Mendes at fernando@collegevisions.org Application deadline is September 20, 2024.