Fund Development Director

About the Organization
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF) is an independent think-and-do tank that activates community support, connects partners, and advances effective ideas for the success of all students. We work tirelessly to close opportunity gaps in public education. We convene educators, school system leaders and the community to pilot and scale evidence-based solutions that advance school quality in Duval County.
JPEF has a highly engaged and diverse board, significant fiscal resources and talented staff to drive the organization's work. The fast-paced and entrepreneurial organization has more than a decade-long track record of helping public schools to significantly improve outcomes for students through innovative, community-focused, and data-driven solutions.
Position Summary
Reporting to the President, the Fund Development Director will develop and execute a fundraising plan for developing key external investments by cultivating individual, foundation and corporate philanthropic support. This includes major gifts, the annual appeal, monthly contributors, grants, special events and other strategies. The Fund Development Director is responsible for partnering effectively with the President, Board of Directors and other JPEF staff and volunteers to drive and coordinate all fundraising and development activities. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record of stewarding existing and forging new relationships, and a vision and passion for bringing those skills to JPEF to build the organization's visibility, impact and financial resources.
A few position highlights include:

• The Director will be responsible for growing and managing a significant portfolio of donors for the organization and working with the President to successfully close new gifts.
• The Director will directly manage and support two Development staff members who are responsible for coordinating donor communications and grants, the donor CRM database, special events and supporting donor recognition, cultivation, stewardship and engagement activities.
• The Director will serve as the staff liaison and convener of a volunteer development committee and train and support JPEF staff, Board members and volunteers to help advance JPEF's fund development goals.

It is expected that the amount raised by the Jacksonville Education Fund will increase in future years as the Fund Development Director systematically and effectively strengthens the organization's overall philanthropic infrastructure, including developing and executing clear strategies and measurable fund development goals.
As a member of the JPEF leadership team, the Fund Development Director will help inform and work closely with various JPEF staff members to advance organizational goals and strategy; ensure the alignment of our efforts; engage in collaborative learning, planning and action; measure impact and make continuous improvements.
Responsibilities

• Drive efforts to ensure the success of JPEF's fundraising initiatives, strategizing, meeting regularly and working closely with the President, Board members and volunteer development committee.
• Create and drive effective implementation of a cohesive development plan and strategy, including:
  • Regular analysis of current investors and their investments and using this analysis to inform decisions related to effective stewardship and the development of long-term relationships.
  • Develop a plan to successfully cultivate new investors, including growing mid-level contributors' investments and cultivating monthly contributors.
• Manage a portfolio of major investors and prospects, developing and implementing tailored cultivation, solicitation and stewardship plans.
• Manage development staff, consultants, and interns as appropriate.
• Research and oversee efforts to submit quality proposals and applications for grant awards for various JPEF initiatives; manage all aspects of post-award grants including reporting requirements. Ensure the quality writing and archiving of all proposals, grants and communication with long-term relationship management approach.
• Implement and develop (as needed) effective systems and processes to maximize fundraising capacity, including overseeing timely recordkeeping in the investor management database and maintaining gift recognition policies.
• Lead and collaborate with staff on the management and planning of fundraising events, donor receptions, and other stewardship gatherings.
• Lead the development and execution of all written and online communication to investors (i.e., recognition strategies, sharing impact, etc.) in coordination with JPEF's marketing and communications team. Play a leadership role alongside the Director of Marketing and Communications in efforts to elevate JPEF's brand and visibility to potential investors.
• Provide regular reports analyzing progress against development goals and the status of prospects in the investor pipeline; develop recommendations to advance revenue goals.
• Proactively stay informed of trends in philanthropy, with foresight, to help position the Jacksonville Public Education Fund ahead of major funding changes or trends.
• Actively participate in internal meetings, work sessions and retreats with a focus on collaborating cross-functionally, strategizing and evaluating effectiveness.
• Support other efforts as overall JPEF strategies or priorities dictate.

Qualifications
Education/Career Experience

• A bachelor's or advanced degree.
• Five or more years proven track record of major gifts fundraising or equivalent experience in high-level, relationship-oriented sales or business development role.

Skills Knowledge and Abilities

• Proven record of achieving revenue targets of $1 million+ annually.
• Demonstrated ability to grow a development program through prospecting, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding new investors.
• Proven management and leadership skills, including strategic oversight and management of contracted grant writers.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including marketing and public relations related to resource development and the ability to communicate with diverse audiences.
• Knowledge and professional application of the ethical principles and practices of investor and resource development.
• Ability to make the giving experience satisfying and rewarding through the development of deep relationships with investors.
• Experience working with investor database and constituent management systems (e.g. Salesforce).
• Skilled at planning, budgeting, directing and coordinating activities.
• Experience working directly with a volunteer Board of Directors.
• Ability to maintain and respect the sensitive, private and confidential nature of information related to grants, donors, advisors and the organization.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize deliverables and handle unanticipated demands and requests.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, adaptability and a collaborative style with ability to engage colleagues at all levels.
• Confidence to work internally and externally with various leaders, partners, staff and consultants to support the organization's efforts.
• Experience and comfort working with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Office applications, Teams), Adobe Acrobat Pro, online communications tools (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and various web-based applications.
• Exhibiting independent judgment in the development, implementation, and evaluation of plans, procedures, and policies.
• A track record of leadership (in professional or personal contexts)

Additional Qualifications

• Clear commitment to the importance of providing a high-quality public education for all students in Jacksonville, particularly low-income students and students at low-performing schools.

• Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, start-up like environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline- and goal-driven organization, and to juggle several projects at once with a spirit of flexibility and positive outlook.
• Excitement and openness to continued learning and development.
• Knowledge of Jacksonville is preferred but not required.

Salary and Benefits
The salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience and a demonstrated track record of success. JPEF provides a comprehensive benefits package to regular, full-time employees that includes employer-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance; a generous employer contribution to medical, dental, and vision insurance; and a 100% employer match to a 401(k) retirement plan up to 5% of the employee's salary. Additionally, regular, full-time employees receive 16 paid holidays and accrue 4 weeks of PTO annually.
Commitment to Diversity
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund encourages individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to this effort.