The Timothy Group

Director of Communications and Development

Durham Rescue Mission

 

Principal Function:

The Director of Communications and Development (DCD) is to communicate the Durham Rescue Mission’s ministry to people in the community so they will get involved by praying for the ministry and by giving of their time, talents, and financial resources. Working closely with the Founders/Executive Director, the Board, and other active leaders, the DCD will be personally involved in high-level fund-raising for the Mission while also directing a team of staff, volunteers, and outside partners to secure continually increasing gift income from current and potential donors.

Responsibilities:

The DCD reports directly to the Executive Director and is responsible for upholding the policies as set forth by the Durham Rescue Mission. In agreement with the plans and goals of the Board of Directors and the Executive Director, the DCD will provide directional guidance to the Communications and Development Department. The DCD’s primary purpose is the planning and hands-on implementation of a comprehensive, strategic resource development and communications effort to advance the goals and ministry of DRM, including but not limited to the following key results areas:

 

I. Management:

• Responsible for departmental staff work load assignments, staff and volunteer recruiting, hiring, terminating, proper match of staff skills with assignment, training, compensation and fringe benefit evaluation, and the use of consultants.

• Responsible for coordinating and completing all Capital Campaigns of the Mission.

• Attend monthly Management meeting with Executive Director to go over tracking reports.

 

II. Major Gifts:

• Personally maintain a significant portfolio of current major donors, cultivate and nurture these relationships and respond to the needs of these donors in every appropriate context towards a goal of strategically increasing their support for DRM.

• Personally contact, develop and solicit new and prospective major donors.

• Facilitate relationships between major donors and key DRM leadership staff and volunteers by creating a schedule of visitation / outreach meetings and events and accompanying them on the calls as needed.

• Provide direct supervision and oversight for all staff and volunteers involved in major donor development. Monitor ongoing major gift activities and conduct formal periodic evaluations in order to continuously improve performance and outcomes through the implementation of best practices and by offering encouragement, guidance, coaching/mentoring, and other support to enhance each individual’s ability to be successful.

• Identify and implement opportunities for growth in the major giving program, including providing oversight and direction for quantity and quality of donor and prospect research.

 

III. Annual Fund:

• Direct and supervise the strategy, preparation and execution of all aspects of the direct mail/marketing program including, but not limited to, the relationship with consultants and vendors, the creative strategy and messaging, project management of each appeal, strategic analysis and planning of appeal segmentation plans and acquisition lists, and the donor acknowledgement process.

• Direct and supervise the development, planning, execution and management of telephone fundraising activities, including, but not limited to using the database to generate prospects to call, calendaring calling sessions, recruiting, training, monitoring and coaching callers, ensuring that the call data is captured and pledges are fulfilled, setting performance targets for the callers, monitoring call results and improving performance.

• Implement a donor-driven approach to each annual fund solicitation that takes into account the donor’s interests and motivations and matches them to appropriate giving opportunities at DRM.

• Provide critical analysis and reporting of revenues and expenses and of the number of responses to acquisitions and renewals for the overall program, by appeal, by segments, and by acquisition lists. Monitor appeal results and seek to continuously improve performance and outcomes.

 

IV. Media:

• Act as public relations spokesperson for the Durham Rescue Mission.

• Use media to communicate news, services and needs of the ministry.

• Manage an integrated internet marketing program to insure DRM name recognition and income from large Christian audiences.

• Direct the writing of press releases and PSA’s.

• Maintain good relationships with key personnel of all media.

• Research new and cost efficient ways to get our message out.

• Stay informed about news and social issues directly related to our mission.

 

V. Business, Corporate, and Foundation Relations:

• Develop good relations with leaders of Triangle Area businesses, foundations and service clubs by making personal calls on business, civic, foundation, and community executives and arranging meetings between these local leaders and other key DRM staff.

• Develop luncheons, seminars, and other events appropriate and meaningful for business, civic, foundation, and community leaders to connect with DRM.

• Direct an ongoing program of grant requests to foundations and corporations.

 

VI. Churches:

• Direct and support church connections strategy and fulfillment.

• Coordinate speaking opportunities, seminars, and other events at Churches, church schools, classes, etc.

• Be central in exploring, developing, and maintaining appropriate strategic alliances and cooperative ministry opportunities in partnership with church and para-church agencies from across the Triangle area.

 

VII. Deferred Giving:

• Secure long term funding through development, implementation, and promotion of a Planned Giving Program.

• Develop estate-planning seminars as a service to Mission Donors.

• Prepare or review all planned giving related correspondence.

 

VIII. Events:

• Plan and coordinate special fund-raising projects sponsored by interested groups or individuals.

• Research, recommend and plan other special events, i.e. Banquet etc.

• Make frequent presentations to potential contributors and community organizations.

 

IX. Long and Short Term Planning

• Provide vision and long-range planning for the future of the DRM fund-raising and communications functions.

• Serve as a key member of the DRM Executive Management Team, directly involved in the planning process, developing goals, objectives, and action steps that will lead to reaching the financial goals of the Mission.

• Develop annual departmental plan in accordance with the plans and goals of the Executive Director and communicate that plan to employees and stakeholders, as appropriate.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

 

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Be able to sit for up to 6 hours a day and work on computer

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and typing)

• Management Skills

• Sales Abilities

• Possess a working knowledge and understanding of databases

 

Training and Experience:

• Graduation from a four-year college or university.

• Five years of experience in development, marketing, sales, capital campaigns and/or management is preferred.

 

Special Requirements:

All employees of the Durham Rescue Mission must be practicing their Christianity by being an active member of a conservative, evangelical church and have an exemplar testimony and must sign and be in agreement with the Durham Rescue Mission Statement of Faith. Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge will be considered for this position. Preferred candidates will have these desired qualifications:

• A demonstrated knowledge of fund raising/sales.

• Able to generate enthusiasm with current and prospective donors.

• Able to effectively supervise and manage subordinate staff.

• Able to motivate groups and individuals to high levels of participation.

• Able to visualize concepts and develop strategies.

• Able to create effective computer & written presentations.

• An effective communicator both written and oral.

• Extensive knowledge in middle/major donor cultivation and Planned Giving.

• Experience and willingness to participate in public speaking engagements on behalf of the Durham Rescue Mission and must have good telephone solicitation skills and experience.

• Planned and Deferred Giving Experience would be a plus.