Position: Assistant Development Director

Location: San Antonio, TX (4x week) Kendalia, TX (1x week)

Schedule: Monday through Friday

Website: www.wildlife-rescue.org

Apply: Submit cover letter and resume to anwvelasquez@gmail.com. Applications without cover letters will not be reviewed.

History: Established in 1977, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation (WRR) receives over 10,000 wild animals per year for rehabilitation and release as well as providing permanent sanctuary for more than 600 resident non-releasable indigenous wildlife, non-native wildlife (large mammals, primates, reptiles and birds) and farmed animals. WRR is located on 212 acres in the beautiful Texas Hill Country near Kendalia, Texas and has an outreach receiving and rehabilitation facility in San Antonio.

Description: The Assistant Development Director’s role is to lead and implement all facets of WRR’s fund development activities and to ensure their effectiveness. This position will work to refine existing and implement new, donor engagement strategies for current and prospective donors. The Assistant Development Director will work closely with the Executive Director and Founder/President, as well as Development Department staff to effectively communicate WRR’s mission and increase our member numbers and donations and their engagement with the organization. The Assistant Development Director will manage a portfolio of prospects and donors, working closely with them to secure significant financial commitments that support the organization's mission and goals. This role requires strong relationship-building skills, a strategic mindset, and the ability to effectively communicate the impact of contributions on the organization's initiatives.

Primary Position Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assist with developing and executing an annual, integrated fund development plan consisting of annual, major and planned giving, communications, and donor stewardship activities. The plan is intended to guide the Development Department in ensuring that WRR has the resources to successfully serve its mission. To accomplish the plan, the Assistant Development Director and Executive Director will collaboratively:

a. Create the annual fundraising strategy, including innovative ways of approaching existing and new donors with targeted appeals, promote planned giving, and manage WRR’s sustainer giving program.

b. Assist with strategies to identify in developing and implementing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward Major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

c. Lead planning and preparation of annual fund appeals, as well as newsletters and related communications with members and the public. Serve as the point of contact for logistics with in-house and out-of-house contacts, including Watermark, CK Designs, and WRR staff.

c. Aid in the publication and dissemination of WRR’s stewardship materials, including Annual Report and post-fundraising event updates to donors and sponsors.

e. Serve as the point of contact for day-to-day donor relationships including routine phone calls, donation processing, address and donation method updates, in-kind donation inquiries, etc. and manage donor related communications.

f. Leverage Raiser’s Edge capabilities to its fullest as needed, including maintaining donor records, queries, and regularly reviewing reports to ensure the department is on track to meet its goals.

2. Manage and serve as the primary contact for external audiences in order to showcase the critical need for WRR’s mission and, therefore, communicate the need for financial support

a. Serve as the point person in the coordination, managing and evaluation of fundraisers, presentations and donor engagement events.

b. Assist in the coordination of special events and staff events.

c. Record keeping of all development-related files, database, electronic and paper versions.

d. Log, analyze, and interpret data for past and future communications, mailings, special appeals and development reporting in the Raiser’s Edge donor database.

3. Serve as a leader with integrity and as a trusted team member

a. Supporting the WRR mission through collaborative work with department projects and other tasks as directed by the Executive Director and/or Founder/President.

b. Other duties as assigned such as tidying office areas and other common areas.

Qualifications:

● Education: Bachelor’s degree in a directly related field preferred or comparable skill set obtained through experience.

● 3-5 years’ experience in development/fundraising including direct gift solicitation and donor stewardship. Major gifts experience highly preferred.

● Ability to speak in front of groups of all types and size on behalf of WRR.

● Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline driven role with exceptional skills balancing competing priorities and working efficiently.

● Proficient knowledge of Raiser’s Edge NXT is a plus.

● Advanced computer skills, proficient knowledge of MS Office, Word, Excel etc.; strong math skills, 10 key by touch and proofreading.

● Knowledgeable about animal and environmental protection issues preferred ● Professional writing experience preferred

● Exceptionally well-organized and detail-oriented; ability to be innovative and have a proactive approach to solving problems and finding information.

● Attendance: Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance.

The successful candidate must embrace the mission and values of Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, including our belief that all animals — rare or common, regardless of species — are deserving of care, attention, and respect. WRR culture requires staff to be comfortable with and empathize with animals (and people who rescue them) during stressful and emotional situations; use critical and independent thinking skills to connect with volunteers and donors who love and care about animals; and be able to multitask and manage workload efficiently with limited supervision at times. This person understands that their work will often be edited by others and be open to constructive criticism within a collaborative work environment. An attitude of cooperation and teamwork is essential to success in this role.

Additional Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Communication: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively via oral or written means. Ability to draft, review and produce well-written materials. Ability to make presentations.

2. Composure: Ability to remain calm and maintain self-control in the midst of difficult circumstances and emergencies. Ability to respond in a professional manner in all situations.

3. Decision-Making: Ability to set work priorities and to evaluate and create solutions to work related problems.

4. Organization: Ability to keep various on-going projects organized. Requires good time management practices and the ability to meet multiple deadlines.

5. Reporting Relationships: Accountable to the Executive Director and Founder/President.

Compensation: Salary is $55,000 - $65,000 annually, plus benefits (WRR will pay 55% of your monthly insurance premium). Candidates selected to interview will be requested to provide references. Position open until filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person