Director of Development

Job Title: Director of Development 

Direct Supervisor: Executive Director

Location: Remote, work from home within NC

Hours: Full-time exempt (35 hrs/week) M-F, 10am-3pm “office hours” with flexible scheduling options beyond these hours. Some nights and weekends throughout the year.

Compensation: $75,000 - $90,000

DESCRIPTION

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. We are committed to becoming a national model for closing the science literacy gap, ensuring diversity thrives in the outdoors, and instilling an understanding of one’s role in the greater ecosystem. 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 a minimum of $1 million in revenue annually. Responsible for implementing approved strategies for new and existing annual campaign efforts, designed to obtain funds from individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments. This position will lead the Muddy Sneakers Development team, including a development manager and other staff.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

• Works with the Executive Director to develop and organize all aspects of the company's fundraising programs.
• Research and identify potential donors and sponsors and implement strategies to foster positive relationships.
• Research donation programs and opportunities available through local, state and federal programs.
• Create reports post-event to analyze data and determine effectiveness.
• Oversee department and inter-department meetings to plan milestones and requirements of all teams regarding fundraisers.
• Collaborate with the Communications Director to create print marketing materials related to fundraising.
• Meet with senior management to gauge business needs and brainstorm ideas for fundraising programs for the coming year.
• Develop and maintain multi-channel annual campaigns and procedures while monitoring and analyzing donations received.
• Oversee the donor acknowledgment processes and granting organization contributions.  Prepare and oversee the preparation of proposals, reports, letters, brochures, and other written materials as needed and required by donors.
• Work with board and staff to identify potential donors through research, contact with existing donors, and other sources of information. Solicits current donors and prospects through presentations in key target markets – this may be done in conjunction with staff and board members.
• Supports the development and preparation of grant proposals, reports to funders, provides solicitation materials and other correspondence and printed matter necessary to carry out solicitations and cultivations.
• Oversee prospect/donor identification, cultivation, stewardship, conducting events, and solicitation campaigns.
• Manage development aspects of annual special events, including, but not limited to, salon events, receptions, dinners,  and donor shadowing. In such cases, coordinate the in-kind giving, raffles, guest invitations, seating, arrangements, menu selection, and entertainment. Additionally, oversee all logistical arrangements leading up to the event, as well as when the event has been concluded.
• Create and manage the annual department budget, building upon the previous years’.
• Contribute to organizational storytelling, curating connections with media and influencers.

Other Roles and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to positive organizational culture through intentional and identifiable actions.
• Work effectively across all departments to ensure knowledge and alignment of funding needs and opportunities.
• Support employee engagement in the stewardship and recognition of donors across the organization.
• Work effectively within budget and help manage the resources and expenses within the department.

Supervisory Duties:

• The Director of Development will supervise the Development Manager and other personnel.
• This position requires engagement with high-level donors, partners, interns, and volunteers and successful leadership skills for managing cross-departmental projects. 

Qualifications:

Knowledge, skills, and ability— 

• Experience in developing and stewarding individual, foundation, and corporate relationships with the ability to develop and execute donor fundraising events.  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• 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.

In addition, the Director of Development will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Project Management- identifies and thinks through all necessary steps of a project, setting appropriate deadlines, moving seamlessly between prioritized tasks, identifying required participants, and holding self and others accountable to outcomes and deadlines.
• Strategic Thinking- takes into account and analyzes various points of view and data to form a perspective appropriate for the execution of a plan that is in line with organizational priorities, including identifying or anticipating problems and implementing solutions.
• Creative and Innovative Thinking- can build partnerships that meet the community's needs effectively in alignment with the mission of Muddy Sneakers.

Education or formal training—

• Professional experience of five years or more in the following areas is highly preferred:  non-profit fundraising; donor engagement and development; portfolio management; grant writing; project management; volunteer engagement.

Experience—

• 5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience required.
• 3-5 years of management experience required,.Proven successes in fundraising, having secured contributions and grants totaling more than $1 million annually.
• Proven skill or experience with: 
  • Direct solicitation of gifts from individual donors, companies, foundations, etc. 
  • Multi-channel direct mail
  • Annual engagement campaigns
  • Tax planning principles and techniques that favor charitable giving
  • Raiser's Edge NXT or other CRM software
  • Fundraising in the state of North Carolina
  • Hybrid/Remote work location 
  • Collaboration with a decentralized team

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Environment

• This position serves Muddy Sneakers, focusing on developing community in some of our key target markets across the state of NC.
• This is a work-from-home, remote role, with some travel to our regional offices and throughout NC. The Development Director is provided with a laptop computer and is asked to maintain consistent at-home office hours and schedules, while working independently and remotely with Muddy Sneakers’ staff. This position must be able to work independently and integrate into major donor and professional corporate environments. 
• The Development Director is expected to work regularly with partners, donors,  and the Muddy Sneakers’ team throughout the state of NC. Some evening and weekend work is required. 

Physical Demands

• This role necessitates joining donors in the field to shadow expeditions.
• Possible moving of boxes that contain programming or other materials (not a requirement).
• Reasonable physical accommodations can be made.

Benefits

• Full-time position (35+ hours/week) with a salary range of $75,000 - $90,000 per year
• 10% health insurance stipend, up to $400/month
• 3% Simple 401k match
• Competitive PTO schedule with days awarded, not accrued
• 12 additional paid office holidays as well as closure the last week in December
• Respect for work-life harmony, including consideration of flexible schedules and occasional remote work
• Pro deals, which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices with established brands.
• Opportunity to build a legacy through strengthening public education and connecting children to nature

HIRING TIMELINE

Please note this is a tentative timeline that is meant to support applicants. This schedule may deviate based on the needs and schedule of the hiring committee. These positions are open until filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline.

December 19: Applications open

January 2: Priority deadline for applications

January 8: First round of interviews begins

January 15: Second round of interviews begins

January 22: Third Round of interviews begin

February 26: Preferred start date

www.muddysneakers.org

To apply: Please Submit a Resume and Cover Letter through our Breezy Platform

Hiring Statements

Muddy Sneakers is a NC-based 501(c)3 non-profit environmental education organization with programming hubs in Brevard and Salisbury, North Carolina. We partner with public schools "to awaken in children a deeply felt connection with the natural world -- one that inspires curiosity, stimulates learning, and brings new life to classroom performance." The Core Values of Muddy Sneakers include: Access, Belonging, Experiential Learning, Conservation, and Well-Being.

We know that a rich diversity of perspectives and wisdom is imperative to our mission and can only come from a wide variety of life experiences. Muddy Sneakers is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and responsive, enabling each of us to realize our potential. Our team is committed to a growth mindset and recognizes that healthy change requires intention, humility, and lifelong learning. Muddy Sneakers’ work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting and valuing the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, and if you have 75% of the qualifications listed we encourage you to apply. Your experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translate directly to our openings. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Muddy Sneakers
P.O. Box 146
Brevard, NC 28712
828-862-5560

www.muddysneakers.org