Development Director

Home Sweet Home Development Director

Reports to: Executive Director

FLSA (Fair Standards Act) Status: Exempt

Supervises: Communications Director, Volunteer Coordinator, and Development Coordinator

SUMMARY: Home Sweet Home (HSH) is a furniture bank whose mission is to give under-served families a sense of pride and to improve the quality of their lives by providing essential household furnishings. Operating with Non-Profit Partners, Home Sweet Home clients can shop for furniture and household items. Then those items are delivered to families in St. Louis city and St. Louis County.

As a member of our core team, the Development Director proactively, strategically, and creatively advances Home Sweet Home’s visibility, reputation, and relevance with multiple constituencies. This person works to broaden Home Sweet Home’s reach, deepen engagement, and inspire the public and community to give, advocate, and volunteer. This position develops, integrates, and implements a broad range portfolio of communications, public relations, media, fundraising, and community engagement tools and practices to further our mission.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

FUNDRAISING

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for the HSH annual fund plan, recurring gifts program, and overall fundraising initiatives.
• Create, implement, and provide continued reporting on organizational development plan, setting objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) for fundraising efforts to maximize donor engagement and revenue.
• Oversee the development and management of donor cultivation and stewardship efforts.
• Develop, implement, and manage donor acknowledgement, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts.
• Supervise the administration of the fundraising Fundraising Software to ensure effective tracking and management of donor information.
• Lead efforts to identify and solicit new individual, corporate and foundation donors in collaboration with the Executive Director and Development Committee.
• Develop strategies for building a diversified corporate funding program, including multi-year approaches, workplace giving, and matching gifts.
• Provide collaborative leadership on the management team, representing the development department’s initiatives, goals, and progress.
• Ensure prompt acknowledgment of all donations.
• Assist the team in writing grant proposals and developing gift opportunities.
• Coordinate with the Executive Director, Communications Director, and grants volunteer on mailing appeals, event materials, brochures, etc.
• Oversee the direct mail program and t-shirt orders and sales.

STAFF

• Mentor, develop, and empower direct staff reports.
• Ability to create structure, implement new strategies, and train the entire team on effective communication.
• Meet weekly with all team members, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide constructive feedback to staff.
• Set clear expectations and goals for team members, ensuring alignment with the organization’s overall objectives.
• Foster a positive and collaborative team culture that encourages innovation, accountability, and professional growth.
• Organize and lead team meetings to ensure alignment, effective communication, and goal progress.
  Delegate tasks effectively to balance workload and utilize team members’ strengths.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Work closely with the Executive Director regarding the development of board members to realize the organization’s annual fundraising goals and objectives.
• Encourage/support current and former board members to maximize the engagement of their networks in helping HSH to achieve its mission.
• Serve as the staff liaison to the Board’s Development Committee, providing the chairperson with analyses, meeting agenda, and overall strategic development direction.
• Assist in the creation of the annual budget and maintain timely reports on the budget for the Executive Director and Board of Directors as it relates to development efforts.

EVENTS

• Oversee all organizational events including open house, gala, trivia night, and any other events.
• Provide strategic oversight for all fundraising events, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
• Set objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) for events to maximize fundraising results and community engagement.
• Collaborate with and guide the Volunteer Coordinator, Communications Director, and Development Coordinator in planning and executing events, including marketing, procurement of items, vendor coordination, and logistics.
• Coordinate and manage sponsorship solicitation for all events.
• Ensure effective promotion of events through various marketing channels, including print, television, website, and social media.
• Monitor event budgets and financial performance to maintain an 70% net revenue per event.
• Support the team in leveraging volunteer networks and securing sponsorships and donations.

GENERAL 

• Provide organizational leadership, model organizational culture, and behavioral expectations, and define strategy as a member of the management team.
• Effectively share Home Sweet Home’s Mission and Values with staff and community.
• Demonstrate close attention to detail, strong organizational and time management skills, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities.
• Hold themselves accountable; maintain consistency.
• Ensure that solid communication and trust is built between the development and programming departments.
• Network with members of the local business/philanthropic community and fellow non-profit organizations to increase awareness for our mission, attract financial support, and discover/implement new initiatives adaptable for Home Sweet Home.
• Monitor monthly revenue and expense statements, and prepare alternate plans of action when necessary to meet overall financial goals.

REQUIREMENTS 

• 7+  years of related fundraising and marketing experience.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership to a multidisciplinary team in the areas of marketing, public relations, communications, and fundraising.
• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies to enhance Home Sweet Home’s visibility, engage diverse audiences, and drive donor support.
• Oversee integrated campaigns and initiatives that leverage media, social media, events, and direct outreach to raise revenue and achieve organizational goals.
• An organized, self-motivated, and committed individual who can work with minimal supervision, manage multiple priorities, and work in a deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Maintain a professional appearance and attitude.
• Ability to work Monday through Friday as well as occasional weekends or events.
• Able to influence people in positive ways for mutual benefit.
• Must be patient and kind as we are working with an at-risk population.
• Able to pass all background checks.

COMPENSATION

Salary is between $77,000-$93,000. We offer benefits including sick time, PTO, 12 paid holidays, and 70% of health insurance paid.

TO APPLY 

Please send resume and cover letter to employment@homesweethomestl.org.

We are an Equal Opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce.  We believe that our team must reflect the diversity of the families we serve and that a diverse team where everyone feels comfortable being themselves will be a long-term advantage. We actively seek out diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.