Director of Development

Director of Development and Communications

Position Summary
The Director of Development and Communications is a key senior staff position ensuring achievement of the fundraising, stewardship, donor development, marketing, and publication goals of the organization. The position requires depth of knowledge and demonstrated accomplishment in individual and planned giving, grant writing, special events, as well as the ability to lead an organization through comprehensive campaign planning and execution. The position works closely with the Executive Director to develop and implement well defined strategies for the financial success of the school. The position manages a staff of 5 full-time professionals and works closely with members of the board of trustees and other members of the staff. In addition to a solid record of achievement, the director will demonstrate creativity, teamwork, vision, adaptability, and collaboration in addition to planning and communication skills, attentiveness to detail, mentoring and management expertise. The position is full-time, year-round, benefits eligible, and exempt.

Responsibilities

Has primary responsibility for all fundraising activities and constituent communications with a goal of generating diversified and sustainable income to achieve the school’s mission. Implements long and short term plans for development and communication activities with measurable goals.
Provides leadership for the Campaign for Penland’s Future, a comprehensive campaign to strengthen support for annual, endowment and facility growth. Works with trustee and former trustee leadership. Hires campaign manager. Assists the executive director with campaign committee planning and administration. This campaign is currently in pre-campaign planning with an anticipated campaign start date in spring 2009.
Serves in a staff leadership role with the Board of Trustees. Is the staff liaison for the development committee and works closely with the development committee chair to motivate, guide, and support the committee’s work. Supports the work of development sub-committees. Works closely with the executive director on the activities of the Committee on Trustees to recruit new members appropriate to the long term financial stability of the school and steward former trustees. Attends the meetings of the finance committee and buildings and grounds committee.
Directs the organization’s annual fund and major gift programs. Works with the executive director, the development associate for individual giving, and the board’s development committee to set goals, plan strategies, and realize contributed income goals. Works closely with donors, participates in donor solicitations, provides special attention to donor acquisition and renewal. Ensures the creation and maintenance of accurate donor records for cultivating, thanking, tracking, and building strong relationships with donors and prospective donors. Oversees research on potential supporters. Plans and implements trustee and former trustee solicitations and evolves planned giving strategies. Integrates annual fund and major gift strategies with the comprehensive campaign. Is responsible for scholarship funding and the scholarship donor communications program.
Directs the cultivation and solicitation of foundations, corporations, and government prospects. Works with the executive director and the development associate for grants to target Penland needs with donor interests. Supervises research, writing, and management of grant requests and reporting.
Manages and guides the goal setting, planning, coordination, and evaluation of all special events. Works with the development associate for special events to plan, execute and evaluate the annual benefit auction and hosted events across the country. Designs and implements scholarship auctions and Penland Friends parties each session.
Manages the use and improvement of the donor database, utilizing Raiser’s Edge software. Works with the database manager to assure accurate recordkeeping and reporting. Manages monthly reconciliation with the finance office and directs the generation of appropriate reports for the board, the development committee, staff, and internal review and analysis. Assures the maintenance and regular revision of office data management manual.

Oversees all public relations, publications, and communications activities to market the school’s programs, maintain relations with constituents, and increase the organization’s visibility. Works with the communications director, the executive director and the board to develop annual and long term communication plans.
Provides supportive mentorship and careful management of the day to day operations of the development office. Participates in a hands-on manner to achieve development office goals. Works with the finance director and deputy director in preparation of the annual operating budget to develop income and expense projections for the development office. Oversees the annual expense budget for the development office and the communications office.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Penland’s policies. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees, assigning and directing work, evaluating performance, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.
In general, plans effective, resourceful and creative development strategies that respond to Penland’s unique history, constituencies, location and programs. Ensures that all fundraising activities are coordinated throughout the organization. Works in concert with the executive director to build strong, long-term relationships for the future strength of the school.
Assumes other responsibilities as may be appropriate for the position.

Qualifications

Minimum of 5 years experience with significant major gift responsibilities at a college, university, museum or other nonprofit organization.
Commitment to the mission and goals of the Penland School of Crafts.
A proven record as a resourceful problem-solver familiar with the complexities of a nonprofit educational organization.
Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills as well as strong planning, administrative, and organizational skills. Emotional maturity, self confidence, and a sense of humor.
An inspiring, articulate and creative manager who can communicate and operate effectively during a time of growth, and impart credibility, trust, enthusiasm and integrity.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Knowledge of the Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge fundraising software is preferred.
Proven ability to work with diverse groups of individuals.
Knowledge of the arts in general and crafts in particular is a plus
Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a small team setting with a consensus building model.

Physical Demands
This position requires travel and the ability to drive a car, is physically demanding and requires the employee walk unaided up and down hills and over uneven terrain, bend, stoop, reach above their head, have use of fine and gross motor skills, and work in close quarters. The employee must have normal visual acuity at near and far distance with correction and hear the spoken word with correction. The employee must be fluent in English. The position demands frequent exposure to inclement weather. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and to work at a computer. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls and to talk fluently. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move heavy objects or boxes.

Anticipated Start Date
September 30, 2008

Compensation
Annual compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Relocation assistance is negotiable. Penland School of Crafts offers a comprehensive benefits package. Compensation discussions are a part of the interviewing process.

To Apply
The position will remain open until filled, however review of applications will begin June 5. Send resume and cover letter addressing relevant experience and interest in the position, contact information for at least 3 references, and salary history to Jean W. McLaughlin, Executive Director, Penland School of Crafts, PO Box 37, Penland, NC 28765 or jeanmclaughlin@penland.org.

Penland School of Crafts is a national center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 400 acres in the NC mountains, Penland has 15 teaching studios and a total of 49 historic and contemporary buildings. Penland School of Crafts is an equal opportunity employer with a staff of 62. Penland operates with a $7 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $4.2 million. Penland School of Crafts is an equal opportunity employer.