Director of Development - Common Threads

Please note: The anticipated start date for this role will be in August.

There is a preference for candidates in Austin, TX (hybrid). We are open to remote candidates in one of our other major markets: NYC, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago (remote with travel to other markets).

Common Threads seeks a highly motivated Director of Development to oversee the organization’s development division. This position will lead the organization’s fundraising strategy, execution, and performance management for individual, foundation, corporate, and government giving. 

The Director will manage a team that consists of two fundraisers, a grant writer, and an individual giving/ board engagement manager. Development Manager oversees their portfolio of foundation, corporate, and government accounts. The Director will be responsible for overseeing these managers to ensure fundraising and growth goals are obtained in all verticals via new and existing opportunities. 

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy (20%)

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy
• Work closely with leadership to set and meet fundraising goals, and manage up-to-date revenue projections
• Prepare the CEO and Development team for cultivation, solicitation, and/or stewardship conversations/activations, as needed
• Collaborate with the entire Growth division (consisting of development and marketing/communications) to develop effective donor communications and materials, as well as the creation of key development collateral, such as community impact reports and other documents, as needed
• Monitor and analyze data, and use insights to help direct organizational strategy 
• Collaborate with Programs and Evaluation staff to propose programs and projects that meet funder interests while advancing organizational goals
• Participate in market-specific and national working committees related to nutrition equity
• Represent Common Threads internally and externally, articulating mission and programs to diverse funding and community audiences through individual conversations and group presentations
• Monitor philanthropic trends and lead/initiate strategy meetings on potential mission-related special project directions

Management (40%)

• Manage and lead a team of fundraising professionals that make up the Development division (foundation, government, and corporate giving)
• Manage team members throughout the fundraising process (prospecting, cultivation, LOI, proposal, reporting, renewals)
• Ensure Development division goals are met, and ideally exceeded
• Establish OKRs and KPIs for the division and individual team members

Grant Management

• Support the grant writer in research grant opportunities, prepare grant proposals, and manage the grant application process. Ensure compliance with grant requirements, track reporting deadlines, and oversee grant-funded programs to achieve intended outcome

Event Support (25%)

Individual Giving & Major Gifts (15%)

• Support execution to grow individual donations through seasonal giving appeals and campaigns
• Cultivate and lead major gift relationships with support from CEO 
• Assist with CEO’s and Marketing/Individual Donor strategy efforts to recruit and build donor/ supporter networks and individual revenue with National, Advisory, and regional board members in all Common Threads markets

The above statements are intended to describe the essential job functions of this role and are not an exhaustive list of all duties performed by personnel occupying this position. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (preferred)
• 7+ years of progressive experience in fundraising
• Must be experienced in all fundraising verticals (corporate, foundation, government, and especially individual giving)
• Proven track record of securing five,six, and seven-figure grants and multi-year gifts from corporations, foundations, and/or government sources
• Management experience
• Proficiency in Salesforce (or other CRMs) and an understanding of the importance of department data integrity
• Experience with Classy.com (preferred)
• Knowledge of national and local institutional funders specific to Common Threads’ program locations
• Grant writing, reporting, and compliance experience
• Experience overseeing and developing funding proposals (e.g. writing grant requests, letters of inquiry, presentations, etc.)
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Suite, as well as basic presentation design programs such as PowerPoint and/or Canva
• Experience and/or high comfort level working virtually 
• Experience working with culturally diverse audiences
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• A commitment to the mission and values of Common Threads

Other:

• Common Threads employees are subject to a background check and fingerprinting prior to employment
• This is a full-time position that will primarily work Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm, but some nights and/or weekends may be required

Benefits:

• Common Threads offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 15 days of paid-time off, 15 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, medical, dental, vision, Employee Assistance Program, and a 401(K) with company match.

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use close vision, distance vision, and be able to adjust focus; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift and/or move supplies weighing up to 25 pounds. 

About Common Threads: 

Common Threads is a national leader in nutrition security - championing improved community health through the power of nutrition and food. For over two decades, Common Threads has been providing nutrition education, culinary skills training, and food access, all key nutrition security fundamentals, in an effort to both prevent and treat diet-related illness. In today’s society, the role that nutrition plays in overall health, as well as the importance of the culture of food itself (i.e. preparing, sharing, and community) in relation to well-being, is neglected, and Common Threads tackles those issues head on.

Operating in-person and digitally, Common Threads’ programs can be found in schools across the country, including the nation’s four largest public-school districts (New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami), as well as community organizations, medical institutions, and universities - with a priority impact focus on marginalized communities. To date the organization has established partnerships with over 2,200 schools, provided more than 5 million meals, and forged a pathway for long-term nutritional health for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit commonthreads.org. 

Common Threads EEO Statement:

Common Threads provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Common Threads complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Common Threads expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Common Threads’ employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.