ABOUT THE POSITION: The Director of Advancement is responsible for developing and executing the overall fundraising strategies, tactics and metrics to meet the fund development, marketing, and communication goals established in partnership with the president. They will oversee all daily operations of the department, including staff management, plan development, donor stewardship activities, and more.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: The Advancement department is responsible for fund development, as well as the agency’s voice and brand. They plan, organize, and direct all fundraising campaigns, including the major gifts program, planned giving, special events, and capital campaigns. They are responsible for leading communications with the public, media, and prospective donors and overseeing the brand as it is shared in all mediums. The department manages all agency volunteers as well as monetary and in-kind donations.  

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Compass Housing Alliance develops and provides essential services and affordable housing for individuals and families experiencing housing instability in the greater Puget Sound region. We envision a world in which every person lives in a safe and caring community. Compass offers an open, supportive, and challenging work environment committed to promoting the dignity and well-being of each person that we serve. We consider the diversity of the staff, guests, residents, and community partners to be an important asset. We recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to the organization. Compass is proud to be an affiliate agency of Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW). LCSNW partners with individuals, families and communities for health, justice, and hope by providing support services in key areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, refugees, and support to aging adults and people with disabilities to live independent lives. To learn more about the agency visit www.compasshousingalliance.org. 

• LOCATION: South Lake Union Neighborhood (Seattle, WA) **This position offers a location hybrid model with at-home and in-office days
• REPORTS TO: President 
• FLSA STATUS: Exempt
• SCHEDULE: Weekdays with evenings and/or weekends as needed
• SALARY RANGE: $130,000 - $150,000 annual DOE

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Department Strategic Planning

• Lead comprehensive and integrated fundraising planning that emphasizes management, development, and stewardship and includes measurable goals, objectives, and tactics. 
• Lead annual development planning process including planned, legacy and more, producing written, measurable development plans. 
• Lead the development and maintenance of the annual communications plan, focusing on tactics used to increase visibility, grow community engagement, maximize strategic partnerships and share local and regional impact.

Department Management

• Lead the implementation, management, evaluation, and regular reporting of fundraising, communications and marketing goals, strategies, and tactics. 
• Develop and manage annual revenue and development expense budget, including staffing plans, contributing to the annual budgeting and reporting processes. 
• Oversee the annual communications plans, including key messages, media engagement, channel management, and content quality. 
• Oversee the agency brand, including website, printed materials, digital channels, and public relations.
• Lead fund development team to achieve leadership and major donor giving, annual fund, corporate engagement, grants, special event goals, and outcomes goals.
• Regularly present fund development progress to team, executives, management, and other stakeholders, as required.
• Personally cultivate, solicit and steward major donors and partners.
• Ensure that development efforts meet or exceed industry standards in ethics and professionalism.
• Oversee preparation of grants proposals, gift acknowledgments, gift agreements, and contracts
• Ensure that the Compass donor acknowledgment process is prompt and personal. 
• Manages the Communications Manager to ensure continuity of all internal and external comms efforts. 
• Ensure effective communication and coordination with other departments. 

Organizational Strategic Planning & Implementation

• Participate as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, in strategy development, effective management, decision-making, and other activities to support the achievement of overall agency goals. 
• Work with the Executive team to foster a culture of philanthropy within the organization. 

Community Partnerships & Representation

• Interact and network in the broader community and among professional groups, corporate leaders, church community leaders, and current donors to enhance development and community outreach objectives. 
• Partner proactively and strategically with Lutheran Community Services Northwest leaders and peers to leverage event coordination, fund development and other mutually beneficial opportunities. 
• Represent Compass in the community, serving as an inspirational spokesperson for the agency at community and organization functions. 
• Serve on committees as assigned.

Staff Development & Supervision

• Support staff team and volunteers to implement all advancement strategies and goals. 
• Lead professional development efforts for your team, contributing to the development of agency goals and work plans, coaching performance, and providing necessary support to ensure both successful individual performance and effective team and cross team performance.  
• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, training, and performance evaluation of Advancement staff. 
• Coach areas of accountability and performance expected of staff.
• Manage volunteer contributions to enhance organizational performance and strengthen community support. 
• Facilitate regular team meetings.

Leadership 

• Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the work. All employees are expected to make efforts in their work and in their conduct to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level. 
• Maintain a favorable working relationship with all other agency employees to foster and promote a cooperative and harmonious working climate to maximize employee morale and productivity. 
• Project a favorable image of the organization in order to promote its aims and objectives and foster and enhance public recognition and acceptance of all of its areas of endeavor.
• Perform all duties and responsibilities in a timely and effective manner in accordance with established agency policies to achieve the overall objectives of this position.
• Keep immediate supervisor promptly and fully informed of all problems or unusual matters of significance, take prompt corrective action where necessary, and suggest alternative courses of action that may be taken.
• Handle conflict situations proactively and effectively, modeling good conflict resolution skills.
• Create a climate where staff are challenged, supported, and motivated to do their best to help the individual, team, program, and agency meet its goals.
• Build strong teams that apply their diverse skills and perspective to achieve common goals in a mutually supportive fashion.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Carry out supervisory duties in accordance with the agency policies and applicable laws. Directly supervise Advancement staff and volunteers.
• Supervisory duties include the following: interview, hire, and train staff; plan, assign and direct work; monitor performance; provide recognition to staff; provide coach/counseling and discipline, when necessary; address complaints and resolve problems.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in fundraising principles and techniques.
• Proven experience in strategic planning and delivery of fundraising, including experience in major gifts, foundation giving, corporate giving, and special event planning. 
• Proven experience in developing successful relationships with Board members, donors, and other volunteers in a complex organization, including effectiveness in directing board fundraising activities. 
• Direct experience soliciting major individual gifts of $25,000 and above. 
• Proven ability to successfully manage the day-to-day functioning of a department and effectively supervise department staff. 
• Ability to organize and analyze data into effective and meaningful reports or presentations. 
• Promote a team environment that is rooted in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA).

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 5 years in upper management, leading donor development/fund raising at a non-profit organization, required. 
• Awareness and/or training around issues of equity, intersectionality, and belonging. 
• Familiarity with topics of housing instability, mental health, substance use, sexual assault, and/or domestic violence, desired. 
• Valid WA driver’s license, proof of car insurance, and a driving record that meets Compass standards, required.
• Work experience is a key factor for success in this role. In addition, success in this role requires a passion for knowledge and drive for continuing professional development or education. A bachelor’s degree in public administration, or related field would be a complement to the required experience. 
• Certificate in fundraising, non-profit management, or related field, optional. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. 
• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger/ handle/feel/type, and reach with hands and arms. Requires the ability to occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry supplies up to 20 pounds. 
• Work takes place in an office environment where long periods of sitting, working on a computer, walking to various work areas, going up and down stairs, and standing are required.
• Travel to program sites and meetings outside the office and around the county are necessary.
• Mental efforts like attention to detail, interacting with others in-person and through email, using critical thinking skills to strategize, develop and implement business plans, create, and edit documents, listen, and participate verbally at meetings. 
• In compliance with the ADA Amendment Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department via phone at 206-474-1100 or via e-mail at HRInfo@compasshousingalliance.org.