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Number of Positions: 1

Work Location: Hybrid On-Site/Remote

Position Overview

City Year Detroit
Chartered in 1999, City Year Detroit is a $7.6M site with a committed professional staff of 30 and Site Board that supports 120 AmeriCorps members in service to 14 schools in the Detroit Public Schools Community District.

Position Overview
The Managing Director, Development will focus on establishing multi-year contributions, identifying new funding sources and management of current donors. The Managing Director, Development (MDD) will oversee a team that will be responsible for achieving the site’s fundraising goals including major gift solicitation, grant writing, event planning, as well as the site’s external communications and marketing efforts. The MDD will serve on the site leadership team, helping to drive and support site-wide initiatives and projects.  

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Managing Director, Development (MDD) is responsible for meeting annual revenue goals for the City Year Detroit site.  As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the MDD will raise and sustain funds of at least $3.0M from private sectors for 2024-25 through grant writing, individual giving, and institutional partners, such as corporations, private and community foundations, and Board gifts. The MDD will be responsible for developing a strategic plan, working closely with the Board of Directors, site Development team, and City Year’s National Development Team, to increase the private revenue goal to $3.5M by the 2025-26 fiscal year. The MDD will also have primary responsibility for leading the Development team by establishing processes and structures to manage and monitor significant fundraising efforts, identify areas for operational improvements, and establish best practices. 

The Managing Director, Development will be a highly effective storyteller and relationship builder who can bring to life City Year’s impact in schools using strong presentation and communication skills that capture the hearts and minds of potential donors and inspires them to support City Year’s mission. This position is ideal for someone who works well in a highly supportive and collaborative environment. The ideal MDD candidate is an entrepreneurial, proactive leader, creative problem solver, and strategic thinker with an aptitude for relationship development as evidenced by proven fundraising experience.  

Job Description

Responsibilities 

Develop & Implement Site’s Strategic Fundraising Plan: In partnership with the Executive Director and Board’s Development Committee, develop and implement a strategic and diversified fundraising plan that meets current goals and anticipates future needs and growth objectives.  

Manage a Team of Development Professionals: Lead and supervise the Development team.  Coordinate with a grant writer, prospect researcher, and stakeholder engagement team from City Year Headquarters.  

Major Gifts: Ensure individual gifts of $10,000+ are cultivated, stewarded and secured. Currently the team is managing a portfolio of approximately $100k in major gifts from individuals. The MDD will lead in building and strengthening this pipeline for long-term sustainability. 

Institutional Gifts: Cultivate and steward corporate and foundation gifts of $25,000+. Currently the team manages institutional donors and new business prospects, securing $700k+ annually. The MDD will lead in building a pipeline for long-term sustainability. 

Fundraising Events: Plan and execute large-scale fundraising events with the Development Team, including two annual specialty market events that generate $100k+ annually. 

Community Engagement: Serving as a representative of the organization, actively engage in the community, including attending events, serving on City Year Detroit appointed committees and chamber boards, youth, educational nonprofits and professional fundraising organizations.  

Marking and Communications: In partnership with the Executive Director and ELT, support communications strategy and implement initiatives to raise and enhance the organization’s brand and reputation to diverse stakeholders.  

Board Management: In collaboration with the Executive Director, engage the Board to meet critical financial and advocacy goals for the organization. The MDD will help strategize for Board development and recruitment while acting as the primary relationship manager for the Board Development Committee.  

Site Leadership: As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, collaborate with other site leaders in developing and overseeing execution towards annual Site Operating Goals. Build and leverage relationships with Development peers at other City Year sites and with our national Development team at City Year Headquarters in Boston.  

Records and Knowledge Management: Develop systems to ensure ongoing accuracy of records, donor information, and moves management in the Salesforce database. 

City Year Culture: Learn and embody City Year organizational culture, values, and commitment to Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion, and Equity daily as a senior site leader. 

Basic Qualifications  

• 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience; comparable experience will be considered 
• Track record of closing six figure gifts and meeting and exceeding goals  
• 3+ years of management experience required 

• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion, and Equity 
• Ability to work with and lead a diverse group of staff and stakeholders in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial team environment 
• Strong interpersonal, networking, and relationship building skills 
• Persuasive written and oral communication skills required 
• Ability to meet deadlines, work effectively under pressure, handle competing priorities, with a team and independently  
• Strong passion for and commitment to City Year’s mission of delivering high impact service to children and schools; developing young adults participating in national service; promoting and advancing the concept of voluntary national service; belief in youth as agents of social change  
• Marketing and Communications experience a plus 
• Expertise in Salesforce and/or fundraising CRM systems a plus 

City Year is invested in the growth and development of talent. As an organization, we strive to empower our people to take responsibility for their own career management and provide opportunities for growth. City Year is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including persons with disabilities and veterans. Proud of its commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity and Belonging, City Year Detroit welcomes candidates who share those values. 

Benefits