With the leadership, guidance, strategic direction and close working relationship with the Chief Executive Officer, and Board of Directors, Equest seeks an experienced, highly motivated, goal-oriented, and energetic fundraiser professional with a proven track record of cultivating donors, further leading to the closing of gifts. The Senior Director of Advancement will serve as a key member of Equest’s leadership team, who is responsible for the management of a well-coordinated, strategic plan to cultivate, secure and steward major gift support from private foundations, corporations and major individual donor prospects. This position will work as a member of the Advancement team, leading Equest’s efforts
to secure annual operating and capital funding from an assigned portfolio, inclusive of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects through strategic research, cultivation, proposal development, and stewardship activities targeted at these entities. In leading members of the team in concert with the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Director of Advancement creates, implements, and monitors strategic work plans in support of annual operating and capital funding priorities that maintain and grow revenue streams.

The Senior Director of Development will ensure compliance with all funding requirements established by donors, foundations, institutions, and government entities.

Responsibilities include (but not limited to):

Overall Development:

• With the Chief Executive Officer, prepares, implements, and monitors an annual comprehensive and strategic Development Plan that meets the fundraising and relationship building needs of Equest including fundraising initiatives, special events, grants, corporate and individual solicitations, sponsorships, gifts-in-kind support, communications and volunteerism, all in alignment to help “advance the mission” of Equest.
• Provides detailed plans of action for all fundraising programs, including budgets and goals.
• Works with the development committee and staff to analyze the programs and plan for future activities. Engages the employees in charge of other fund-raising initiatives such as Horse Sponsorships, WAUX, and Pegasus Club to ensure those events are included in the budget and on the development plan.
• Makes direct, face-to-face solicitations, and assists the board and other staff with their solicitations – effectively working to serve as a closer as appropriate.
• Develop, manage, and evaluate a grants toolkit that can be utilized by the development team and grant writer, including organizing, tracking and managing grant activity, while overseeing the grant solicitation program.
• Prepare reports (both internal and external) as required by funders, at the request of Equest’s leadership, or in alignment with Equest’s reporting systems and revenue goals.
• Monitor grant awards including grant agreements, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Conduct stewardship and cultivation activities to build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with funders.
• Maintain timely and necessary database records, files, reports, and resource materials pertinent to government and foundation activities within Raiser’s Edge.
• Create and maintain systems that promote good working relationships with program staff to ensure clear and timely communication for grant proposal development and/or reporting requirements.
• Works closely with the Director of Community Engagement on stewardship plans for all donors, including acknowledgement, both public and private.
• Plans, reviews, implements, and evaluates donor appeals to ensure retention/cultivation of current and new donors and cultivates gift-in-kind solicitations. Creates a structured approach to the steps of the donor cycle including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of all donors.
• Researches, identifies, and engages both donors and prospective donors, maintains on-going relationships and encourages long-term support of Equest’s mission, with optimum results.
• Work directly with CEO to leverage established relationships and to cultivate new development sources through networking and relationship-building.
• Assists the DOCE in the development and coordination of all donor recognition programs.
• Ensures the preparation of all content and materials needed for approved fundraising.
• Oversees effective systems for tracking and cultivating donors, and prospects through Equest’s database.
• Assists the CEO in helping with major donor related responsibilities (ex. Identifying and scheduling meetings with donors for major asks)

Fundraising Events:

• Works with the development team, committees, and contract vendors to execute well thought out and highly successful fundraising events.
• In collaboration with the CEO, Development team, development committee, brainstorms and fills chair and honorary chair positions for fundraising events.
• Conducts analysis of all major fundraising events.

Marketing & Communications:

• Makes presentations to audiences both large and small, with varied demographics and purposes.
• Collaborates with the development team for the execution of a communication plan including all marketing initiatives related to development.
• Provides oversight of webpage content maintenance—ensuring that current and consistent information (article links, stories, and events) are posted regularly.

Supervisory:

• Is the direct supervisor for several members of the Development team.
• Mentors and trains the development staff, committee members, and the Board of Directors on how to have a successful attitude of philanthropy and achieve fundraising goals.

Financial:

• Develops, manages, and monitors the Development Department’s annual budget.
• Creates and implements expense and revenue budgets, and systems that support revenue tracking and
  generation. A significant degree of data analytics for understanding donor trends and track records.
• Regularly reconciles Salesforce with QuickBooks for accuracy.

General:

• Upholds the vision, mission, and values of Equest.
• Adheres to all PATH International standards.
• Abides by all regulations, policies, and procedures of the City of Dallas, as they pertain to the Texas Horse Park.
• Attends all special events.
• Serves on committees as assigned.
• Attends staff meetings.
• Attends board meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The successful candidate will be very organized, analytical, solution oriented, self-motivated and possess the ability to work both independently and with a diverse and productive team while displaying a positive attitude always. This person will be talented at building relationships, listening to donors and prospects and able to analyze the fundraising efforts. Working with deadlines and under pressure, as well as adhering to confidentiality are vital. Attention to detail is very important and a passion for excellence are necessary to fit into the Equest culture.

• A minimum of seven years of nonprofit fundraising or sales experience, with a successful record of accomplishment in building donor relationships including closing gifts in the five and six-figure range.
• A Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or related field.
• Competitive fundraising experience with a demonstrated ability to write successful grant proposals and
  proposals that utilize logic models and evaluation plans.
• Possess the ability to build and maintain relationships efficiently. Exceptional interpersonal skills. Ability to interact comfortably with individuals at all levels.
• Possess excellent communication skills, both in writing and speaking.
• Comfort interacting with high net-worth individuals and families.
• Demonstrate flexibility in working together as a team member for the common goals of Equest, including tasks outside of this job description.
• Demonstrates adaptability to performing a variety of duties, occasionally changing from one task to another of a different nature with minimal loss of efficiency or composure.
• Keen attention to detail and strong analytic and problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to multitask and work within strict deadlines.
• General proficiency in computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint), and donor data bases. Familiarity with Salesforce and/or Raiser’s Edge is a plus.

Salaried position with benefits including paid health insurance, PTO, 401k and professional development.

Please attach your resume to a brief cover letter and direct it to Myrshem George, CEO,  at mgeorge@equest.org, with the subject “Senior Director of Advancement Application.”

Please include three references in your resume or cover letter and highlight any experiences that might fit with our organization.