Fast Facts

The Director of Development and External Relations at City Year is responsible for shaping and executing fundraising strategies to support community change initiatives in Little Rock, AR.

Responsibilities: Lead development and fundraising strategies, manage donor relationships, oversee external relations, and direct special fundraising events.

Skills: Excellent communication, persuasive writing, grant writing experience, ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups.

Qualifications: 5-8 years of fundraising experience, strong relationship management skills, knowledge of the Little Rock donor community preferred.

Location: Little Rock, AR

Compensation: $65000 - $68000 / Annually

Application Instructions

Click Apply to submit your online application. Please attach a resume and thoughtful cover letter on the "My Experience" page in the "Resume/CV" field.

Active City Year Staff members must login to Workday to apply internally.

Number of Positions: 1Work Location: Hybrid On-Site/Remote

Position Overview

Director, Development is responsible for designing and executing the Development strategy that will allow City Year to leverage the resources, talents, and skills of the philanthropic sector to build the site and create change in communities across the city.

Job Description

Position Overview 

Since its founding, City Year has relied on its corporate, foundation and individual partners to create meaningful social change, leveraging both private and public investors. With a wide range of support from some of Little Rock’s philanthropic leaders, City Year Little Rock has a strong fundraising track record. 

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development leverages the fundraising leadership within City Year Headquarters, our local advisory board, and an alumni network to manage and implement the fundraising and local external relations strategy for City Year Little Rock. A specific emphasis is placed on managing and building relationships with philanthropic corporations and foundations, high-net-worth individuals, other local businesses, and media outlets in an effort to maximize financial resources and brand awareness opportunities, helping City Year Little Rock achieve its revenue and marketing objectives. The Development Director will be responsible for ensuring the site meets or exceeds its private revenue budget of approximately $500,000 of its $1.2 million operating budget. 

Job Description 

Primary Responsibilities 

Strategy Development & Leadership 

• Develop City Year Little Rock’s short- and long-term fundraising strategy, alongside Executive Director and in partnership with the Senior Leadership Team. 
• Work closely with the Executive Director to develop a plan to implement the strategy of donor cultivation & engagement across sectors: private, government and education (state policy and local government). 
• Add development capacities to execute against City Year’s long-term Site Advancement Plan 

Manage & Develop Team of Development Professionals: 

• Manage, develop, and retain a Development/Marketing Manager and freelance team that oversees several aspects of the development pipeline and external relations. 
• Support and help lead growth in front line fundraising development. 

External Relations 

• In collaboration with national marketing efforts and with the support of Development Team, oversee the implementation of localized marketing strategies and tactics to increase City Year Little Rock’s overall brand awareness and ability to recruit 18 to-25-year-olds to serve as City Year AmeriCorps members 
• Serve as representative of City Year within the Central Arkansas community, attending events on a frequent basis 
• Serve as staff point for media relations, helping to acquire publicity for City Year Little Rock 

Corporate and Foundation Strategy: 

• Oversee the implementation of City Year Little Rock’s corporate sponsorship program, as well as the grant proposal and reporting process for corporate, foundation, and government donors. 
• Strategizes with the Executive Director to identify and cultivate new corporate and foundation partnerships 

Individual Major Gift Strategy: 

• Refine City Year’s high-net-worth individual giving circle with innovative strategies to increase individual major gifts of $10,000+ and promote overall donor participation 
• Build a robust mid-level giving program focusing on donors of $1,000+ 
• In collaboration with Executive Director and Development team identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of current and future major donors. 

Fundraising Events 

• Work with the Senior Leadership Team and the Executive Director in managing special events to raise the awareness of City Year; fundraise and engage individuals, foundations, and corporations as champions and donors. Events include but are not limited to: City Year Little Rock’s Red Jacket Bal, Specialty Market Events, Opening Day, Graduation, and Private Receptions. 

Donor Management: 

• Develop successful identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies to direct and monitor the progress of donor relationships. 
• Oversee the alignment of City Year’s mission/values with actions and community impact of donor. 
• Ensure diversity and sustainability of site donor base. 
• Identify major donors' philanthropic interests and provide them with opportunities to deepen their connection to City Year’s values/mission. 

Advisory Board Management and Engagement: 

• Lead quarterly fundraising discussions and updates for City Year’s Advisory Board Meetings. 
• Support Executive Director’s stewardship of Advisory Board Members, helping to ensure Board retention, satisfaction, and 100% Board giving. 

Organizational Leadership: 

• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, help shape organizational strategy and serve in leadership role in developing and implementing City Year Little Rock’s local operating plan and Site Advancement Plan. 
• Through the representation and modeling of City Year values, help to promote a culture of diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equity. 
• Work collaboratively with other site departments and City Year Headquarters on a frequent basis. 
• Manage the Development Department budget, detailing department revenue and expenses. 
• Ensure accurate maintenance of records and donor information in the salesforce database. 

Required Experience: 

• 5-8 years of progressive fundraising/development experience with proven fundraising track record that includes multi-year giving. Comparable experience will be considered. 
• Proven relationship manager who recognizes the importance of outreach and partnerships for advancing organizational mission. 
• Self-starter with strong initiative, while maintaining a willingness to work in a collaborative and team-based organization. 
• Knowledge of the Little Rock donor community preferred. 
• Grant writing experience preferred. 
• Solid, persuasive writing & communication skills. 
• Passion for education, racial justice, and youth development 
• Ability to work with diverse groups of young adults in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial team environment. 

Required Experience: 

Full-time employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with experience with the range between $65,000-$68,000 annually. Benefits for full time employees include health insurance with Flexible Spending Account, ample paid vacation, holidays, parental leave, 401K, and more. 

City Year is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including persons with disabilities and veterans. 

To Apply 

Qualified applicants should apply at the online application link and submit a resume, cover letter, and references. 

NOTE: PLEASE INCLUDE A PDF OF YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME AS AN ATTACHMENT WHEN APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION. 

Benefits

Full-time employees will be eligible for all benefits including vacation, sick days and organization holidays. You may participate in all benefit programs that City Year establishes and makes available to eligible employees, under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents that govern those programs. Currently, City Year offers medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment and disability coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and other benefits including 401(k) plan(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions of company policy and the 401(k) plan document. For more information, click here.

Employment at City Year is at-will. 

City Year does not sponsor work authorization visas.