Chief Development & Communications Officer - Union Station Homeless Services

Classification Title: Chief Development and Communications Officer

Employment Status: Full-Time

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Regular Hours Worked: 40 / Week

FLSA Status: Exempt

Hybrid: Pasadena, CA

Salary: 150,000- 175,000/yr DOE

Benefits:

• 5 Paid Flex Days
• 13 Paid Holidays
• 12 Paid Vacation Days
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• 403b Account

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Development and Communications Officer (CDCO) serves as a key leadership team member and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting the agency. The CDCO is directly responsible for successfully creating, leading and implementing an integrated communications and resource development strategy to help forge new relationships and build Union Station’s visibility, impact and financial resources.

The CDCO is a strategic partner with the CEO by providing strong supportive efforts in cultivating and developing future and existing donors as well as maximizing revenues from fundraising activities.

The CDCO designs and implements plans for cultivating, soliciting and stewarding private philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, foundations and community partners, and is responsible for establishing the strategy and infrastructure needed to grow our budget through major gifts, grants, special events, corporate and foundation support. To amplify and secure these effort, this position is responsible for communications, public relations, marketing and social media functions for the organization, and will partner with Programs and Advocacy Department to promote community education efforts.

In addition, the CDCO will work closely with the Board of Directors and support board members as they take on a more active fundraising role.

As a key member of the executive team, the CDCO has a critical role in developing the organization’s long-range plans and works directly with the agency’s CEO, Board of Directors and other key fundraising volunteers.

This position oversees a department of two communications staff and six development staff. Direct reports for this position include Associate Director of Development, Grant Writer, Major Gifts Officer, and Associate Director of Communications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, but are not limited to the following:

Planning and Leadership

• Serve as a key partner for the organization’s long-range strategic plan and agency budget.
• Create and present an annual written Development Plan and Case for Support to guide the organization’s fund raising and communication efforts.
• Organize, direct and train department staff, direct the involvement of volunteers or consultants where necessary, and motivate staff and volunteers to accomplish fundraising goals.
• In conjunction with the CEO, Chair of the Board and Chair of the Development Committee, work with Board Members to develop each individual’s plan for participation in fundraising activities. Communicate with each Board Member regularly to encourage and support their fundraising efforts.
• Provide leadership to the Development Committee and support to its volunteer Chair and to any appointed subcommittees.
• Attend Board meetings and board subcommittees, including development, events, planned giving, and finance. In conjunction with the Development Chair, report to the Board on the organization’s progress in meeting its development/communication departmental goals.
• Develop departmental budget, monitor expenses and allocate resources in most effective manner.

Fund Development

Major Gifts and Planned Giving

• Identify, cultivate and successfully solicit large major gifts to meet established fund raising goals and to support and expand programmatic efforts.
• Organize and direct the cultivation and solicitation of major donors by volunteer leadership to meet fund raising goals.
• Build on existing planned giving program to secure deferred gifts for the agency’s programs and endowment.
• Cultivate relationships with donors who have the potential to make major and planned gifts.
• Appropriately steward existing donors to ensure they feel appreciated and are achieving their philanthropic goals.

Foundation, Corporation and Government Relations

• Identify and cultivate meaningful working relationships with institutional leaders.
• Supervise the grant writer and Elevate consultants in the strategic development and implementation of grant applications to foundations, corporations and government entities to support and expand our programs.
• Oversee prospect research and cultivation of new funding sources.

Annual Giving

• Supervise the Associate Director of Development (ADD) to develop and implement annual fund vehicles, including direct mail, events, monthly donor and employee giving programs.
• Support the ADD in creating robust stewardship and appreciation efforts for our annual fund donors.

Communications

• Supervise the Associate Director of Communications (ADC) in the planning and implementation of quarterly newsletters, annual report, press releases, and event invitations.
• Work with the ADC in securing publicity for Union Station from a variety of media outlets, including print, digital, and all social outlets.
• Oversee the creation, programming and promotion of quarterly Changing the Narrative Series.
• Manage the USHS brand to ensure that all content reflects the agency’s image as a social service leader in the community.
• Provide leadership in the on-going enhancement of the agency’s web site to attract and communicate with donors.
• Represent Union Station at appropriate functions.

Ongoing Development, Fundraising, and Donor Related Events and Activities

• Develops, initiates, and oversees the implementation and execution of all agency related fundraising and donor relations events.
• Ensure appropriate stewardship of all gifts to the organization and implement donor recognition activities.
• Supervise the Development/Communications staff in the preparation of reports that accurately track development revenue progress and department expenses.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work indoors in temperature-controlled environment and occasionally exposed to outdoor weather and driving conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Stand and sit for long periods of time; move and walk to various locations; climb, stoop, kneel, reach, pull, push, bend, twist, and occasionally lift and or move objects.
• See, hear and speak clearly in order to give and receive information and instructions. Ability to interact with other employees, clients, customers and members of the public.
• Ability to work effectively under time constraints, prioritize work, multi-task, and adapt to changing work demands.
• Gather, analyze, synthesize, and classify information; complex reading, writing and memorization skills.
• Perform arithmetic operations.
• Transcribe, enter, and post data.
• High level of concentration and attention to detail for extended periods of time.
• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Requires use of a computer keyboard for long periods of time.
• Ability to quickly organize and communicate thoughts and to understand communications from others.
• Ability to work independently, with others, around others, have verbal contact with others, face-to-face contact with others, prioritize work and make decisions.
• Able to work occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Able to travel to off-site meeting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent judgment and decision-making capability.
• Deep knowledge of Los Angeles County area philanthropic community with also a specialized focus on the Pasadena philanthropic community is crucial.
• Outgoing with excellent interpersonal skills, and able to inspire and motivate staff, board members and volunteers; demonstrate ethical, intelligent and diplomatic behavior.
• Commitment to helping homeless and very-low-income people rebuild their lives.
• Proficient with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), and Raiser’s Edge.
• Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone, calculator, personal computer, computer printer).

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred. 10+ years of experience within the areas listed below will be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive is preferred.
• American Fundraising Professional (AFP) certification is preferred.
• At least six years of experience as a development professional and a proven record of success providing leadership in operating and capital fundraising efforts with ambitious fund-raising goals.
• At least three years of experience supervising other fundraising professionals.
• Prior experience initiating, developing, and overseeing the execution of fundraising and donor related events.
• Prior experience in overseeing budgets over.

Union Station Homeless Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Union Station Homeless Services Embraces Diversity We embrace our differences and are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion and belonging. Our commitment to racial equity within the organization is crucial to who we are and the clients we serve. Committed to being an anti-racist organization and sharing the unique cultural experiences from our networks, we offer annual racial equity training, host ongoing learning experiences through our lunch n' learns and participate in on-going mental health trainings. We promote acceptance, respect, teamwork and fosters diversity in the workplace.

We believe every individual has a story, past, and a unique set of skills that shape who we are and through this network, we can learn from each other to become better versions of ourselves personally and professionally. Through our staff-led network focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility, we work to communicate, educate, and express diverse cultivation through our eight Diversity Networks. We are honored that the Diversity Network has been recognized as part of the Community Impact Awards presented by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

Union Station Homeless Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer