St. Louis Language Immersion Schools

Director of Development

ABOUT US

St. Louis Language Immersion Schools (SLLIS) is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 that currently operates a network of charter schools in St. Louis, MO, including The French School and The Spanish School.   

POSITION OVERVIEW

Salary Range

• Commensurate with experience
• Health and retirement benefits 

Job type

• Full-time 12-month position, one year At-Will Agreement, renewable upon performance evaluation

Responsibilities

The Director of Development directs and implements a fundraising program that includes all development areas:  annual giving, major gifts, donor cultivation, corporate and foundation grants and sponsorships, grant reporting, special campaigns, communications and special events.

Strategic Fundraising Plan

Under the direction of the President, the Director of Development will be responsible for creating an annual Strategic Fundraising Plan that will provide an appropriate level of outside funding for SLLIS initiatives. The Annual Fundraising Plan will be consistent with any longer range strategic plan of SLLIS. The goals included in the annual plan may include capital items, before/after school programming, unique educational programs or other items as agreed upon by the President and the Board as part of the annual budget.  

Donor Relations 

With volunteers and colleagues, as well as independently, the Director of Development:

• Establishes and maintains strong and effective working relationships with the major constituents.
• Manages a portfolio of prospects; developing innovative strategies for personally cultivating and soliciting new prospects, as well as existing donors.
• Participates in identifying potential sources for major gifts and solicitation.
• Recruits and trains volunteers to assist with major gift prospecting and solicitation.
• Maintains high quality stewardship for prospects and donors.
• Actively engages in work to establish long-term partnerships and strengthen existing relationships with the corporate and foundation sector as well as individuals and other key constituencies that will result in funding for the immediate and long-term goals of the organization.
• Provides training and supervision of the Development staff and Interns.

Donor Management

With President as well as independently, the Director of Development:

• Articulates program outcomes and measurements with donors.
• Ensures that donor files and records are maintained accurately and in accordance with IRS guidelines.
• Coordinates the creation and distribution of donor recruitment materials.
• Supervises maintenance of donor database. 

Corporate & Foundation Grants 

The Director of Development:

• Manages the grant request process to all major corporate and foundations donors.
• Researches and identifies sources of corporate support, proactively seeking opportunities to generate new funding from Corporations and Foundations. 

Government Funding Management 

The Director of Development: 

• Manages all aspects of the application process for funding from government sources.
• Works with the appropriate government agencies to secure such funding and with donors if the required for the particular program.
• As necessary, meets with donors to facilitate tax credit applications and awards.
• Works with staff and government compliance officers to assure appropriate reporting and program results. 

Fund Raising Activities 

The Director of Development:

• Provides leadership and serves as liaison to special event committees Initiates, coordinates and oversees all fundraising event activities which are included in the annual fundraising plan approved as part of the budget. 
• Organizes as appropriate larger dollar special events. 

Communications

The Director of Development: 

• Manages development communications of website, email messaging, etc.
• Oversees communications including the recognition of all donor classes including , board of directors, corporation, individuals and SLLIS families,  and promotion of the organization locally and nationally.
• Oversees Public Relations Committee meetings and activities.
• Plans and executes the direct mail program, including timeline, development of materials, and working with vendors. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor degree; CFRE or MBA preferred
• 5 years experience working with/supervising professional and clerical staff and volunteers
• 3-5 years work experience in development with a nonprofit agency
• Demonstrated experience and success in coordinating fund-raising and special events, grant writing, direct mail appeals and marketing
• Experience in strategic planning and budget development and management
• Knowledgeable about resources in the St. Louis community
• Strong organizational skills to budget, plan, and implement fundraising goals
• Ability to work with a wide range of people, including staff, Board, volunteers, business leaders and donors
• Ability to develop sound relationships with the corporate, private and fundraising communities
• Flexible schedule with ability to work off hours as necessary
• Computer skills necessary for record keeping and report generation
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, especially Word, and Excel
• Strong working knowledge of Fund-EZ or similar donor database
• Highly organized, data-driven, detail oriented and self motivated
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Applicants should apply on-line at http://sllis.org/index2.php?page=apply

SLLIS is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. We actively encourage all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation to apply.