Regional Development and Donor Engagement Manager

Position summary: The Regional Development and Donor Engagement Manager is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to develop, cultivate and maintain relationships with individuals, foundations, corporations and other community groups to grow fundraising revenue, diversify funding streams and enhance services in greater Kansas City and the western region of the state of Missouri. The role requires the ability to work autonomously at times, be a self-starter and positive ambassador of Every Child’s Hope mission. The manager collaborates closely with the Steppingstone Director, grants management staff, Director of Advancement and the development team to ensure the successful execution of statewide fundraising and community engagement initiatives.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Utilizing innovative and creative strategies to grow the agency’s base of donors and achieve annual fundraising revenue goals.
• Effectively creating and following donor engagement and stewardship plans and activities resulting in increased year-over-year donor retention while meeting budgetary expectations.
• Developing and implementing a detailed plan for donor identification, engagement, cultivation, recognition, and stewardship through personalized communication with past, current and prospective donors from all sectors in the region through personal visits and communication.
• Serving as the primary liaison between the Steppingstone Auxiliary and Every Child’s Hope to enhance the long-standing partnership.
• Demonstrating a commitment to ECH mission and values through working collaboratively with the agency Development team and other department and program leaders and staff to ensure fundraising and communications align well with agency mission and program goals.
• Creating and implementing strategies to engage foundations, corporations and businesses in philanthropic activities and events.
• Building relationships with potential donors and funders through community events and personalized outreach.
• Successfully coordinating, managing and implementing fundraising and donor cultivation events in the region with support and assistance from the Development team when needed.
• Cultivating and creating partnerships in the community to expand and strengthen life skills for youth and young adult Steppingstone clients.
• Assessing current involvement while identifying  community membership organizations to have representation from Every Child’s Hope and Steppingstone.
• Working collaboratively with grants management staff related to new funding opportunities, region-specific grant research or data to assist in submitting exceptional proposals to support the region’s programs and initiatives.
• Being trauma aware, sensitive and responsive to youth, families and colleagues through the completion of new hire and annual trauma informed education/training.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

• Collaborative – A dynamic personality that is collaboratively minded, can recognize and identify strengths, seek consensus around mutual goals, and build meaningful relationships.
• Enthusiastic – Capable of working with diverse teams to reach a common goal. Demonstrate skills that reflect and value a team approach, know and demonstrate how to make timely, effective and ethical decisions.
• Creative and Curious – A systems-thinker and builder, who is not afraid to be innovative in designing solutions and has skills in articulating these ideas and concepts. A self-starter who crafts creative strategies and opens doors to new potential donor relationships.
• Methodical – Strong analytical, systems, and problem-solving skills to recommend/implement solutions using independent judgment. Ability to move from concepts to action through strong program design and evaluation while still maintaining a strong attention to detail.
• Integrity – Demonstrated dependability, effectiveness, efficiency, honesty and the ability to deliver high quality service. Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Flexible – Capable of performing at a high level while managing multiple priorities, tasks, projects and timelines, both autonomously, and as part of a lean team.
• Driven – Passion for the work and an interest in continuous learning and improvement. 

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year university or college.
• 3 – 5 years experience in development or related field preferred.
• Strong research, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate our mission and goals to potential donors and funders.
• Exhibit qualities of a self-starter with the ability to perform and a high level as the only Development team member physically located in the region.
• Must be a "people" person willing to be part of a team effort.
• Experience using donor management system like Blackbaud NXT, and proficient in using computer programs within the Microsoft Office 365 suite.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• Meet physical demands of occasionally lifting and moving items, including equipment and supplies needed for events and material donations received.
• Must have reliable transportation and be able to travel to other localities within the western region of Missouri to meet with donors and external constituents regularly, and occasionally to the primary ECH campus in St. Louis as the position requires.