Job Title:  Chief Development Officer
Details:     Full-Time/Exempt

Organizational Overview:
For nearly 50 years, House of Ruth has empowered women, children, and families to rebuild their lives and heal from trauma, abuse, and houselessness. We offer comprehensive services for survivors, including service-enriched housing, nationally accredited child and family development programming, and free counseling to anyone who has experienced domestic violence.

Position Summary:
The Chief Development Officer (CDO) leads the development, marketing, communications, and volunteer engagement functions of House of Ruth in order to advance the organization’s resources and deepen its impact. The CDO reports to the President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is a vital member of the senior management team.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Organizational & Department Leadership (40%)

• Provides leadership to the organization as an active member of the senior management team. Works closely with the CEO, senior management team, and board to develop and lead the implementation of organizational strategic plans. Identifies and helps address issues of strategic importance to the organization.

• Leads the development department, including all fund development, marketing, communications, and volunteer engagement functions. Fosters a culture of philanthropy across the organization and ss that departmental activities are executed in alignment with the organization's values, vision, and mission. Ensures the continued adoption of best practices in development, marketing/communications, and volunteer management. Ensures compliance with all applicable regulations and laws, as well as the code of ethics for fundraising professionals.

• Proposes annual revenue and performance targets for development, marketing/communications, and volunteerism. Prepares, administers, and manages the department expense budget. Regularly analyzes the effectiveness and efficiency of development, marketing/communications, and volunteer programs based on established strategic and operational benchmarks; makes adjustments to plans based on trends.
• Creates and oversees the implementation of annual and capital campaign plans to sustainably grow organizational revenue, including but not limited to strategies for individual giving, foundation and government grants, and corporate sponsorships.
• Creates and oversees the implementation of an integrated, multi-channel organizational communications strategy for House of Ruth’s key stakeholder groups, including donors, volunteers, program participants, staff, and government officials.
• Directly supervises members of the development team, including but not limited to the Digital Marketing & Communications Manager, Private Grants Manager, Government Grants Manager, and Development Operations Specialist. Provides mentorship, guidance, and professional development to team members.
• Directly supervises contractors supporting the development department, including but not limited to the organization’s direct mail consulting firm, government grants consulting firm, and corporate development consultant.
• Supports the CEO in leading executive communications, including internal communications and organizational reputation management.
• Stays abreast of local/national funding trends and opportunities; engages in learning and growth activities to enhance job and department performance.

Major Gifts (30%)

• Leads the development and implementation of an individual major gifts circle, including program branding, messaging, and engagement opportunities
• Directly manages a portfolio of individual donors, giving or capable of giving at the $10,000+ level per year, as well as a portfolio of institutional donors, giving or capable of giving at the $100,000+ level annually.
• Designs and applies a custom cultivation strategy to each member of their portfolio; deepens relationships through appropriate and regular communication to foster retention and increase overall giving. Develops and implements solicitation strategies for portfolio members for both annual and capital campaigns; matches donors’ philanthropic interests with organizational funding needs; drafts compelling written solicitations and makes in-person asks.
• Regularly analyzes portfolio revenue and other key performance indicators to assess results; interprets data to recommend and implement appropriate changes to targets or adjustments in strategies.

Program Development and Special Initiatives (30%)

• Identifies emerging needs within department and leads the development of new strategic initiatives, with a particular focus on (1) the successful achievement of capital fundraising goals and (2) the development of a formal volunteer engagement program to strengthen program implementation, build operational capacity, and deepen relationships with supporters. Ensures appropriate staff capacity and departmental resources are in place to advance these initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Successful candidates will:

• Possess a Bachelors degree; Masters degree and CFRE credential preferred.
• Be a highly strategic and visionary leader with a strong results orientation.
• Have excellent supervisory skills and a proven ability to develop talent.
• Be an effective written and verbal communicator.
• Have the ability to develop strong working relationships across differences with diverse stakeholders.
• Maintain a passion for the mission of House of Ruth and demonstrate organizational core values.

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Additional Information:
The House of Ruth is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

House of Ruth offers an attractive benefits package for all full-time employees.

To apply please submit cover letter and resume.