Director, Development

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.

Job Title:  Director, Development

Department: State Operations and Programs

Reports to: State Director

# of direct reports: varies

Salary range: $65,000-$67,000

Position Overview:  The Director, Development is responsible for developing and implementing state events, securing foundation and/or grant opportunities and the managing of local advisory boards and associated committees.  

Job Requirements – Qualified applicants must have:

• Superior persuasive writing and presentation skills with the ability to exert influence, inspire others, and articulate the mission, goals, and activities of Best Buddies with passion and enthusiasm
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, and familiarity/comfort with database management systems (i.e. Summa, Auction Pay, Raisers Edge)
• Superior project management skills - including planning, analysis, decision making, and problem solving - and willingness to multitask
• Superior initiative, drive for results, and self-assessment skills, and ability to lead individuals and teams in setting and achieving challenging goals
• Must be comfortable engaging with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
• Must travel, use personal cell phone, and work evenings and weekends as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities
• Access to an automobile with applicable insurance 

Job Duties include, but are not limited to:
 

Fund Development

• Develops and implements comprehensive statewide strategy for securing sustainable funding and works with advisory boards and volunteers on its implementation
• Assumes overall operational management responsibility for all fundraising activities statewide, including, but not limited to, foundation and corporate giving, individual giving, major gifts, special events, annual giving, and alumni/parent relations
• Develops and implements major fundraising events to meet revenue goals–must utilize local event committees and follow BBI event committee benchmarks/structure, working with their State Director

• Researches grant opportunities, develops proposals to foundations, maintains accurate records and submits reports as required by funders with support from their Grant Writer
• Manages government grants/contracts, including reporting, maintaining relationships with key agency officials and testifying if necessary
• Manages local and/or statewide advisory board(s), including recruitment, training, and retention of committee and board members in keeping with BBI Advisory Board guidelines 
• Identifies, cultivates, and develops volunteers capable of making personal commitments and becoming directly involved in the solicitation process on behalf of Best Buddies - develops and manages stewardship process of all donors, including processing gifts and thank you letters

Marketing

• Develops a comprehensive statewide public awareness strategy, and works with volunteers on its implementation
• Creates a strong presence for Best Buddies in the local area through public speaking, community involvement, public service announcements, social media, special events, news releases, and other media initiatives  
• Develops relationships with local graphic artists, public relations professionals, and advertising agencies to support local needs
• Contributes to the organization of content and images for updates on expansion state website and utilizes databases appropriately to communicate with participants and the community
• Contributes to the creation and distribution of statewide and local newsletters/annual reports and e-newsletters

Human Resources

• Directly supervises staff- responsible for staff development, oversight, and providing meaningful performance feedback, as well as holding them accountable for meeting all development and operational goals, hitting benchmarks, and following best practices and guidelines.
• Inspires and motivates staff by demonstrating personal commitment and integrity and providing proactive training, support and recognition.
• Responsible for all human resources related activities within the team.  Understands, follows and reinforces human resources policies in a consistent manner.

Operations

• Maintains communication with HQ and State Director with timely reports and other information as directed
• Uses the online reimbursement system to effectively track and manage reimbursement requests 
• Develops, monitors and balances the expansion state development budget, including reviewing monthly financial statements, tracking all expenses and revenue, and adjusting spending/fundraising plans as needed
• Oversees timely and accurate processing of all revenue and invoices, and maintains accurate records of all donations and donor information through Raiser’s Edge