I. PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Development and Marketing Team of the Sonoran Institute is responsible for identification, cultivation, and stewardship of individual donors, foundations, and corporations, as well as communicating the Sonoran Institute brand to current and potential donors and key partners. Development staff is responsible for raising general unrestricted revenues with the goal of covering institutional costs and generating additional revenue for distribution to programmatic efforts as well as supporting the funding needs of specific projects and programs. The Marketing department leads unrestricted revenue generation from mass audience engagement including membership, direct-mail and online campaigns, and event sponsorships, especially as it relates to corporate sponsorships.

II. GENERAL ROLE OF POSITION

The Senior Director of Development and Marketing (SDDM) is responsible for the development and implementation of the development and marketing strategy and plans for the Sonoran Institute and for supervision of development and marketing staff. This includes managing a portfolio of major gifts to support the mission of the Sonoran Institute. The SDDM will be responsible for prospecting, partner and donor cultivation, solicitation (often in tandem with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), development and marketing staff, program directors and program staff). The SDDM is also responsible for management and stewardship, proposal strategy, contract negotiation for respective department, management of consultants and contractors for respective department, recognition and benefits related to corporate partner commitments.

III. KEY RESPONSIBILITES

Fundraising and Relationship Management - 60% of time

• Develop and manage a portfolio of 100+ prospects and donors to engage and solicit for fundraising. This portfolio serves as a pipeline for new donors/members.
• Work closely with the Executive Team, board members and lead program staff to develop and implement annual and major gift strategies, and to prepare written proposals for donors and donor prospects. Support them in actively managing their personal portfolios of prospect and donor accounts.
• Manage donor relations through a vigorous communication plan, personal visits, phone calls, and events.
• Ensure donors are appropriately recognized and engaged in the mission of Sonoran Institute.
• Research prospective donors through online and other resources.
• Develop and manage mail appeals, including annual appeals.
• Raise funds for annual operations, strategic programs, endowment fund, and future support.
• Engage donors in conversation regarding various ways of giving such as outright, workplace, deferred, in-kind, stock, and personal solicitations.
• Promote planned giving and engage supporters in Legacy Society.
• Write gift proposals and related donor reports.
• Manage donor software with support from development and marketing staff.

Donor Cultivation, Special Events and Mailings - 30% of time

• Implement, plan and oversee events including field trips to engage supporters.
• Collaborate with the Executive Team to develop cases for support and to create and implement project specific fundraising plans and campaigns as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the Executive Team, Board members, and program staff to create opportunities for further cultivation of donors and prospects.
• Oversee and assist marketing staff on annual reports, published lists of donors, and fundraising collateral material.

Management and Administration - 10% of time

• Supervise the Development and Marketing staff.
• Develop and implement the annual strategic marketing plan and budget with support from the Marketing Manager.
• Oversee team marketing plan for organization-wide communications, fundraising and marketing campaigns.
• Conduct departmental planning including goal setting, strategy identification, and evaluation to support development and marketing.
• Achieve financial objectives by preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions.
• Assure sound fiscal operation of development and marketing functions including timely, accurate gift income and expense budgets, department financial monitoring and reports.
• Implement processes for soliciting and recognizing gifts, which support the annual operations, special projects, the endowment and future purposes.
• Support Executive Team and Board Committees with reports; provide them with necessary tools to meet fundraising goals.
• Provide backup for gift entry and acknowledgement letters.
• Other duties as assigned, relevant to the position.

IV. POSITION CHARACTERISTICS

Decision-Making/Consequence of Error

The SDDM must be able to make decisions that accurately reflect the mission, goals and needs of the organization. Decisions of this nature impact the day-to-day business of the organization. The incumbent should research and utilize multiple resources, in making any recommendations/decisions and follow-up with appropriate staff as necessary.

Nature of Supervision Received

The SDDM must exercise a high level of organizational skill and initiative necessary to complete specific tasks with little supervision and must maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Representation and Public Contact

The SDDM will communicate with the public, Sonoran Institute partners and funders, and other staff. Involves representing the organization and its mission enthusiastically and appropriately in all communications and contacts to provide information, generate interest, participation and investment.

V. QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, including but not limited to business, environmental sciences, communications or liberal arts.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in fundraising or sales and marketing including team supervision, major gift solicitation, donor stewardship, marketing campaigns, and event planning.

Required

• Proven leadership capacity.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Takes initiative with ability to prioritize and balance multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience with web-based tools and collaboration.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing successful fundraising campaigns.
• Proven track record in securing major gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations.
• Energetic, outgoing, flexible, creative, results driven, proactive, accountable and problem solver with ability to work in fast-paced environment.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft office 365 suite.
• Able to work autonomously.
• Attention to detail a must.
• Problem-solving attitude.
• Ability to relate to and work with a wide variety of stakeholders.

Desired

• Spanish language proficiency a plus.
• Demonstrated experience online fundraising.
• Marketing Communications experience.

Other

• Current, valid driver’s license
• Must be able to work at desk and operate a computer.  
• Must be able to lift over 40 pounds.

VI. Physical Demands/work environment

Remote work: will consist of the employee’s own remote environment. Office work: The employee typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office. The incumbent may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday. The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle, or feel, and to stand, walk, reach, bend or lift more than 40 pounds. Travel from one work site to another may present itself.

Employees may be required to perform other relevant duties as assigned, to ensure workload coverage. Employees are required to follow any other relevant job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This job description does NOT constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the organizational needs and requirements of the job change.

Geographic Location: Fully remote position physically located in Arizona with the ability to travel for meetings and workshops. 

Salary: $73,424 - $99,195 annually (based on location, education and experience)

Benefits Offered:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance - Employer Paid
• Long Term Disability - Employer Paid
• 401K participation with employer match
• Generous paid time off, starting at 20 days per year

 Sonoran Institute will begin reviewing applications on September 20, 2024. This posting will remain open until position is filled.