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: none

Salary Range: $80-85K, commensurate with qualifications and experience

Office Location: Vienna, VA; remote work 2 days each week, this position covers the greater Washington DC metropolitan area

Position Overview:   

The Director of Development will partner with the State Director to design and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan, incorporating annual giving, grant solicitation and management, special events, and initiatives. Specifically, the DD is expected to ensure the success of Best Buddies signature events at the state level: The Best Buddies Friendship Walks – DC and Richmond, VA (spring) and Best Buddies Homecoming Gala (fall).  These events have strong and beloved reputations in our area, and a successful DD will help take them to a new level by developing and implementing new elements, cultivating sponsorship opportunities and the managing of volunteer development and event committees. 

Job Requirements – Qualified applicants must have:

• Four to seven years progressive experience in fundraising including a record of success in expanding a donor base through cultivation and stewardship, event planning/implementation, and/or board management
• Bachelor’s degree or at least 4 years’ relevant experience in addition to above experience
• 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 high familiarity/comfort with database management systems (including: Givesmart, 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 be comfortable with frequent local/regional 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 and current driver’s license

Job Duties include, but are not limited to:

Programs

• Works with the state director or leadership to ensure that programs are well represented in every development effort
•  Ensures that all fundraising events and initiatives are in alignment with program objectives and integrates program awareness and education into all fundraising activities
• Serves as a resource to state Programs staff to support their fundraising efforts 

Development

• Develops and implements comprehensive regional strategy for securing sustainable funding and works with advisory boards and volunteers on its implementation. Manages Development initiatives and special events as assigned by State Director

• Assumes overall operational management responsibility for all regional fundraising activities, including, but not limited to, foundation and corporate giving, individual giving, major gifts, special events, annual giving, and alumni/parent relations

• Oversees event planning and implementation logistics, including assuming responsibility for meeting or exceeding revenue goals for events and for complying with event best practices, benchmarks and timelines

• 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
• Recruits and trains volunteers to form committees for all events. Works committee volunteers to research, identify and secure event sponsors 
• 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

• Serves as staff partner for the Advisory Board Development Committee and event committees as appropriate
• Stewards donors and manages donor relations as appropriate
• Creates sponsorship proposals and event materials; Establishes and maintains effective relationships to develop new sponsorship and donor opportunities

Marketing

• Develops a comprehensive 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 state website and utilizes Bene database appropriately to communicate with participants and the community
• Contributes to the creation and distribution of statewide and local newsletters/annual reports and Bene e-newsletters

• Creates and maintains web pages for all state events - develops relationships with local graphic artists to support local needs

Operations

• Maintains communication with the 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 regional 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 (donor tracking system). 

Best Buddies® is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EOE and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to Best Buddies International’s core values and help the organization continue to achieve its mission. Here at Best Buddies, our goal is to lead and advocate for a more inclusive world.

Best Buddies offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program that include financial security, health and wellness and time off.