Senior Director of Development

18 Days Old

Position title: Senior Director, Development
Reporting to: President & CEO
Supervises: Development Manager; Community Outreach Coordinator; two part-time contract Grant Writers
Background on Wesley Community Center
Wesley Community Center, founded in 1904, is a Houston nonprofit organization, anchored in the Near Northside, providing an array of social services to families in our neighborhood and throughout Houston. Our services include quality care for children and youth, food and emergency assistance for struggling families, meals and activities for seniors, and a financial opportunity center for individuals to get the education and skills they need to become financially stable.
Wesley Community Center's mission is to invest in the potential of people and create opportunities to strengthen families and build neighborhoods. We believe the neighborhood you live in should not limit the opportunities available to you. By providing high quality, comprehensive programs for those in need, Wesley Community Center is dedicated to helping individuals and families obtain the tools to improve their lives.
It is an exciting time at Wesley, having just opened our new Workforce and Adult Education Center in June 2025, the organization is primed for growth to help even more people in their journey for financial stability.
Position Summary
The Senior Director of Development (the Sr. Director) serves as a strategic leader within the Wesley Senior Leadership Team and Development team, driving organizational growth through comprehensive fundraising, and relationship management. The Sr. Director is responsible for the creation, expansion, implementation and stewardship of fund development strategies for Wesley Community Center in its efforts to achieve its annual fundraising goals.
The Sr. Director will be an active development professional able to cultivate and maintain positive relationships with a variety of donors including individuals, corporates, foundations, and other partner organizations
The Sr. Director will develop short and long-term fundraising strategies and will evaluate existing and new methods of donor solicitation, cultivation and communication recognition to ensure that current and prospective donors are informed and connected to the organization's mission, programs and accomplishments.
The Role of the Senior Director of Development
Leading and Managing
Create and implement annual fundraising plans to expand organizational capacity of Wesley Community Center's mission including corporate, foundation, government, and individual sources. With the CEO, develop and strategize the need for future capital campaigns to build organizational capacity. Manage the operations of the fund development department. Lead, plan and coordinate the work of the fund development staff including supervision and evaluation, training and team building. Work to build culture of communication and excellence. Manage the Development Committee of the Board and build strategies to keep the board engaged in fundraising process of the organization. Fund-Raising Activities Work closely with the CEO to create and oversee a major gifts program including identification, cultivation and solicitation of major donors. Implement donor stewardship plans to maintain positive, regular communication with existing donors, partners and volunteers to nurture and grow supportive relationships. With the Development Manager, plan and implement successful fundraising special events (currently two events, in the spring and fall) Oversee direct mail fundraising campaigns with the help of Development Manager Develop and execute plans to attract new donors. Maintain grants program including grant calendar, prospect pipeline, and grant submission with management of contract grant writers. Build and enhance donor relationships and fundraising opportunities through new and emerging technologies and electronic communication strategies. Oversee the maintenance of donor and gift information in the Raiser's Edge database; run regular donation reports including monthly reconciliation with the accounting department
Outreach, Volunteers, and Marketing Working with the Community Outreach Coordinator, manage volunteer engagement, including corporate volunteers through United Way and other corporations, church groups, and individuals. Work with the Community Outreach Coordinator to develop outreach opportunities to promote the organization within the community including churches, civic organizations, corporations, and community partners. Represent the agency in the community at speaking engagements, events, and fairs as needed Oversee the internal and external communication materials including electronic and paper newsletters, annual report, website and social media platforms. Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will possess the following characteristics: A fund-raising leader with a proven track record in nonprofit fundraising and donor relationship management. Five to seven years of relevant experience. A passion for the mission of organizations like Wesley Community Center. The ability to inspire potential donors with the mission and work of Wesley. A collaborative personality with the ability to lead teams of staff and volunteers. Strong computer skills and experience in donor databases (Raiser's Edge preferred) Capacity to set priorities and achieve goals, individually and for team. Strong organizational skills with experience in donor cultivation, event planning and grant writing. Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments to accomplish duties Highly articulate; able to communicate with passion, clarity, energy, intensity and enthusiasm. Ability to interact with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. Able to work occasional nights and weekends.
Other Information
Education Preferences
A bachelor's degree is required.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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Location:
Houston, TX, United States
Job Type:
PartTime
Category:
Management Occupations

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