Field Development Manager (multiple openings across US) at Foundation Fighting Blindness in Dallas, Texas

Job Description:

About the Foundation: The Foundation Fighting Blindness Inc. has one clear objective: accelerating scientific advances for the treatments and cures of genetic diseases of the retina. These diseases, which affect more than 10 million Americans and millions more throughout the world, often lead to severe vision loss or complete blindness.

Working with preeminent scientists, the Foundation has funded breakthroughs in gene therapy, stem cells and bionic retinas. Over the past four decades, the Foundation Fighting Blindness has raised more than $915 million to fund research studies in both academic and industry labs worldwide.

About the Position: The Field Development Manager is accountable for the revenue, volunteer management, and planned activities for their 3 or 4 assigned chapters that encourage, promote, and achieve successful volunteer engagement, community relations, and ambitious revenue goals. The Foundation chapter network brings people together across the country to join in fighting blinding retinal diseases. Our chapters focus on three key areas: education, resources, and revenue. This position is the "face" of our organization, the first point-of-contact for our chapter constituents within their home territory. The field development manager forges strong relationships, provides information about local resources, and shares scientific advancements that assist individuals through their personal journey.

Primary Responsibilities: The following are representative of the duties/responsibilities associated with this position and are not meant to be an all-inclusive list:

Fundraising

• Accountable for revenue of assigned events
• Assist with developing fundraising plans and event budgets designed to achieve growth over prior year
• Coordinate memorable events, ensuring key fundraising best practices are followed and key performance benchmarks are achieved
• Cultivate, steward, and renew corporate sponsors, committee members, event honorees, fundraising participants, and team leaders
• Plan, implement and attend key committee meetings and events
• Identify and assist with cultivation of prospects for all chapter events, programs and campaigns
• Assist in recruitment of day-of volunteers and supports event logistics as needed
• Collaborate with VisionWalk and Event teams to create and implement strategic plans ensuring events meet budgeted goals, with a target to increase year-over-year revenue
• Develop a portfolio of significant relationships and corporate partnerships in the chapter communities, (i.e., low vision specialists, local businesses, city officials) representing the Foundation as an on-the-ground ambassador; identify and cultivate new sources of support

Engaging Volunteer Leadership

• Develop, nurture, support and grow 3-4 volunteer chapters whose primary objectives are raising money through special events, sponsorship partnerships, and individual giving programs, outreach, and education for chapter membership
• In partnership with Regional Director, develop strategic plan with milestone activities and measures of success
• Recruit, train, and engage a strong slate of volunteer leaders for chapters, walks, special events for all chapters within territory
• Facilitate accessible chapter activities in person and via video conference that provide meaningful information, bring people together, and increase chapter engagement
• Increase the effectiveness of chapters and chapter leadership through recruiting and retaining members, and developing on-going opportunities and activities for volunteers
• Manage volunteer and donor retention, recognition, and pipeline development with a focus on high impact relationships and key volunteer leadership roles
• Establish meaningful and trusted relationships across the organization; collaborate with peers to support events, coordinate resources, maximize the donor experience, achieve market fundraising goals, and increase overall engagement with the Foundation

Administrative/Financial

• Actively utilize donor database to capture donor information, identify (re)engagement opportunities, capacity for philanthropic giving, and for miscellaneous reporting
• Identify uniqueness of each chapter and provide guidance and support to capitalize on opportunities and manage challenges to ensure maximum success
• Manage storage unit for all community collateral
• Learn the science to effectively communicate this information; share information, insights, and organizational impact

Position Specifics:

• Home-based, office equipment and monthly stipend provided
• Must reside in a preferred defined territory (relocation not provided)
  • Mid-Atlantic Territory: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia (preferred), Baltimore
  • Chesapeake Territory: DC (preferred), Richmond, Hampton Roads,
  • Central Midwest Territory: Ft Wayne, Cincinnati, Indianapolis (preferred)
  • Texas Territory: San Antonio, Dallas (preferred), or Austin (preferred)
  • Gulf Coast: Houston, Mississippi, New Orleans (preferred)
  • West Coast-LA (preferred), Orange County (preferred), Sacramento
  • Pacific Northwest-- Portland, San Francisco (preferred), Seattle (preferred)
• The budgeted starting salary Range: $68k-$75k. This range is what we reasonably expect to pay for this role. The range considers a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to: geographic markets, skill sets, experience, and internal equity to comparable roles.
• Annual Incentive Bonus Eligible: 5%.
• Full-time, flexible schedule with some evening and weekends required
• Reporting to Regional Director; no direct reports
• 20-25% travel

Essential Qualifications Include:

• Must have 3+ years demonstrated success in fundraising events/development campaigns, collaborating with volunteers and building volunteer groups, networks, or chapters of a non-profit organization.
• Proven track record in fundraising required
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Proven ability to work and communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and of varying physical and cognitive proficiencies
• Ability to travel require-anticipate 20-25%
• Must be able to work flexible week, including evenings and weekends
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Enthusiastic, takes initiative, and has strong follow-up skills
• Strong fiscal management skills, including budget preparation, planning, analysis, decision making, and reporting
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and databases such as Salesforce, Virtuous, Raisers Edge or similar; contact, activity tracking and other reports
• Valid driver's license with driving record acceptable to Foundation Fighting Blindness insurance carrier.
• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID; requires documentation of vaccination

To Apply: Submit resume, with cover letter highlighting relevant fundraising experience, to HR@fightblindness.org

• • Please include specific territory you are applying for in the subject line of your application email.

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