JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Director of Development

Direct Supervisor: Executive Director

Location: Remote, work from home within NC with occasional statewide travel

Hours: Full Time (35+ hrs/week)

Compensation: $75,000 - $90,000

OVERVIEW:

Muddy Sneakers operates at the crossroads of outdoor science instruction, public education, and conservation to awaken in children a deeply felt connection to the natural world – one that inspires curiosity, stimulates learning, and brings new life to classroom performance. We envision a world where every child has the opportunity to form a connection to nature and benefit from the wellness it provides. In doing so, we aim to cultivate healthier generations committed to the stewardship of our natural resources.

We’re seeking a skilled fundraiser to drive roughly $1,500,000 in revenue annually. Responsible for implementing approved strategies for new and existing fundraising efforts, designed to obtain donations from individuals, foundations, businesses, and government entities. This position will lead the Muddy Sneakers Development team, including a development manager.

ESSENTIAL ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising:

This position requires engagement with high-level donors, partners, interns, and volunteers and successful leadership skills for managing cross-departmental projects
Raise annual fundraising revenue totalling about $1,500,000 via a combination of individual gifts, grants, sponsorships, events, and other avenues
Work with the Executive Director to develop and organize all aspects of the company's fundraising programs including annual targets and approaches
Research and identify potential donors, sponsors, and grants and implement strategies to foster positive relationships
Cultivate and steward donor relationships to generate approximately $300,000 in annual individual gifts
Cultivate sponsorships to generate approximately $40,000 in annually.
Plan and produce fundraising events for donors and potential donors to generate at least $60,000 annually
Provide monthly and weekly reports on metrics and updates on department progress in relation to the overall goals of the organization to determine effectiveness
Oversee department and inter-department meetings to plan milestones and requirements of all teams regarding fundraising
Develop and maintain multi-channel annual campaigns while monitoring and analyzing donations received
Oversee CRM management and processes
Oversee the gift acknowledgment processes
Work with board and staff to identify potential donors through research, contact with existing donors, and other sources of information
Solicit current donors and prospects through presentations in key target markets
Support the development and preparation of grant proposals, and reports to funders, provide proposal materials and other correspondence to generate approximately $500,000 in annual grant revenue.
Oversee prospect/donor identification, cultivation, stewardship
Manage development aspects of annual fundraising events, including, but not limited to, salon events, receptions, dinners, and donor shadowing; coordinate the in-kind giving, raffles, guest invitations, seating, arrangements, menu selection, and entertainment.
Build partnerships that meet the community's needs effectively in alignment with the mission of Muddy Sneakers
Present at staff, donor, and partnership meetings as well as periodically to the Board of Directors
Support employee engagement in the stewardship and recognition of donors across the organization
Contribute to positive organizational culture through intentional and identifiable actions
Other duties may be assigned

Project Management:

Identify and think through all necessary steps of a project, set measurable goals and targets, set appropriate deadlines and timelines, move seamlessly between prioritized tasks, identify required participants, and hold self and others accountable to outcomes and deadlines.
Take into account and analyze various points of view and data to form a perspective appropriate for executing a plan that is in line with organizational priorities, including identifying or anticipating problems and implementing solutions.

Communications & Marketing:

Collaborate with the Communications Director to create print collateral materials related to fundraising
Contribute to ongoing communication efforts such as newsletters and social media; contribute to organizational storytelling, curating connections with media and influencers.
Serve as a representative at community tabling events, fairs, festivals, etc.
Prepare and oversee the preparation of reports, letters, brochures, and other written materials as needed and required by donors.

Budgeting:

Assist the Executive Director in the development and management of the Development Department budget
Work with the Executive Director to set revenue targets
Work effectively within budget and help manage the resources and expenses within the department
Track and report expenses to ensure proper budget management

Supervisory Duties:

Lead the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of any new (program department) management-level staff and ensure the department is staffed to meet annual objectives
Ensure proper training and evaluation systems are in place
Lead and participate in team meetings
Ensure organization employment policies and procedures are implemented

QUALIFICATIONS

Education or formal training

A bachelor’s degree or higher is required

Experience

Required experience:
- 5 years or more in the following areas:
  - Non-profit fundraising of roughly $1,500,000 annually
  - Direct solicitation of gifts from individual donors, companies, foundations, etc.
  - Donor engagement and development
  - Portfolio management
  - Grant writing and reporting (more than $1 Million annually)
  - Project management
  - Multi-channel direct mail
  - Annual campaigns
  - CRM management
- 5 years of management experience
Additional preferred experience:
- Tax planning principles and techniques that favor charitable giving
- Raiser's Edge NXT
- Fundraising in the state of North Carolina
- Hybrid/Remote work location
- Collaboration with a dispersed team
- Volunteer engagement

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

Proven ability to raise fundraising revenue totalling about $1,500,000 via a combination of individual gifts, grants, sponsorships, events, and other avenues
Experience in developing and stewarding individual, foundation, and business relationships with the ability to develop and execute donor fundraising events
Excellent written and verbal communication skills including public speaking
Strong leadership skills; demonstrated ability to manage and lead a professional team
Excellent collaboration skills, organizational skills, and astute attention to detail
Affinity for working with people and experience working successfully with a variety of constituents, high-level volunteers, partners, and team members
Proven budget and project management in accordance with short- and long-term financial goals
Experience using the following or comparable software: Google Workspace (Drive, Gmail, Forms, Meet), Microsoft Office Suite, survey tools, online learning platforms, project management software (Monday), Raiser’s Edge NXT CRM
Ability to interpret results of feedback and evaluation and implement changes
Attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands:

The Development Director is expected to meet regularly with partners, donors, and the Muddy Sneakers’ team throughout the state of NC, including walking across uneven and largely unpaved surfaces
Requires prolonged computer use
Possible moving of boxes that contain programming or other materials (not a requirement)
Reasonable physical accommodations can be made

Working Conditions:

Predominantly indoor and some outdoor conditions including exposure to inclement weather, cold, and heat

Other Requirements:

This is a work-from-home, remote/hybrid role, with some travel to our regional offices and program sites throughout NC
Some evening and weekend work is required
A valid driver's license for some statewide travel is required

BENEFITS

Eligible to participate in Muddy Sneakers medical benefits plan
3% 401k match
Cell phone stipend
Competitive PTO policy
13 additional paid office holidays as well as closure the last week in December

TO APPLY

Please Submit a Resume and Cover Letter through our Breezy Hiring Platform.

HIRING STATEMENTS

Muddy Sneakers is an NC-based 501(c)3 non-profit environmental education organization.

Muddy Sneakers, Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Muddy Sneakers, Inc. makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Muddy Sneakers Outdoor Classroom

P.O. Box 10971

Raleigh, NC 27605

828-862-5560