Variety – the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley was originally founded as the Philadelphia area Variety Club in 1935. The organization has a rich history of employing unique development campaigns in its mission to improve the quality of life for children with disabilities.
Many Philadelphians have fond memories of the iconic WPVI–TV6 Variety Club Telethon hosted by Monty Hall; while others recall the annual ‘Old News Boys Day,’ in which volunteers, including many of Philadelphia’s mayors, stood on street corners to sell special ‘Happiness Editions’ of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In recent years, a commitment to contemporary and robust fundraising has yielded generous support from individuals, corporations, and foundations and helped to raise tens of millions of dollars to sustain the organization into the 21st century.
Variety is seeking an innovative and experienced Director of Advancement (DoA) at an exciting and pivotal moment for the organization, which is a recognized content expert and resource for families with special needs throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. Reporting to and working in partnership with the Board President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the DoA has principal responsibility for planning, leading, and executing all major components of philanthropic relationship building and contributed revenue generation. The DoA position supervises the development team, and shares management of consulting partners with the CEO.
The DoA is dedicated to achieving fundraising goals for Variety, and their responsibilities include oversight of all aspects of individual giving, corporate and foundation relations, special events, and development operations. The DoA will lead a first-ever comprehensive campaign on behalf of Variety to raise philanthropic dollars for an aspiring Master Facilities Plan that will transform the campus to align with community need. The DoA will assist with communications strategies, applying a philanthropic lens to all external messaging.
As a member of the management team, the DoA will lead and mentor members of the Development Department and work collaboratively across all functions of the organization as well as represent Variety with Board Members, volunteers, donors, program participants and family members, and strategic partners. Ultimately, the DoA will lead strategic efforts and build internal and external relationships that will enable Variety to integrate existing grassroots and event-driven fundraising with a bold development mindset supported by new Board practices, systems for communications, and a new culture of major gift donor cultivation.
Qualifications
• 8 or more years of responsibility in a development context preferred, including experience managing fundraising programs, campaign planning and execution, and fundraising staff.
• Outstanding and proven executive abilities: planning; communicating; managing talent in a competitive environment; and executing to achieve goals.
• Demonstrated experience in managing change and working across departments within an organization. An ability to quickly engender respect while building organizational understanding of the role of philanthropy.
• Experience working with CRM. Salesforce experience preferred.
• Experience with all phases of the relationship building and fundraising process, including experience in soliciting and stewarding major donors for gifts in the six and seven figure range.
• Proven track record of multi-functional, development experience (special events, individual giving – annual, major, and planned gifts, campaigns, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to work and cultivate relationships across a variety of sectors, communities, and levels to ensure mission support and reach.
• Skilled in prospect engagement and face-to-face cultivation and solicitation.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills and excellent presentation and persuasion skills.
• Significant experience working with governance and supporting volunteers (including development volunteers, board members, and others) including but not limited to a fundraising context.
• Outstanding organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple priorities and to consistently meet timelines and budget expectations.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills including written and oral presentations.
• A leadership style that inspires confidence and role models excellence, while having a sense of humor and unfailing professional integrity.
Candidates should send resume and cover letter to Dominique Bernardo.
