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GiGi's Playhouse Inc.'s was founded in 2003 and our missionis to change the way the world views Down syndrome through national campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community.All Programs are free and are therapeutic in nature. Each program is designed to work on specific skill development, including speech and language, socialization and fine and gross motor skills.  GiGi's Playhouse has 36 locations across North America and growing. 

The Development Manager fully supports efforts to raise non-event, non-grant funding for the GiGi's Playhouse national office.  The second half of 2018 is focused on new business and quarterly goals will be established to support national growth efforts. The goals will include major gifts, annual appeals, corporate gifts, event sponsorships, etc.   

To be successful in this role; the individual must be inspirational and energetic in his/her efforts to reach and inspire donors while balancing the mix of expanding the donor base and seeking ways to increase contributions from existing donors.  Further, as an individual building and maintaining relationships with donors, this person must have a pleasant and professional personal presence, exceptional organizational skills and the ability to confidently manage competing priorities to ensure a collaborative effort in his/her development efforts across the national office tea

Responsibilities 

      Develop new donors. 

o   Develop new donor and sponsor relationships to add to the existing GiGi's Playhouse donor base. 

o   Leverage personal relationships and connections to expand into new demographics. 

o   Seek local and national corporate relationships. 

      Increase contributions from existing donors. 

o   Implement strategies to expand contributions from existing donors relative to prior giving patterns. 

      Execute development campaigns. 

o   Support the sustainability of the goals above through a variety of solicitation strategies such as direct donor solicitations, recurring gifts program, annual appeal, capital campaign, etc. 

o   Solicit event sponsorships for all major organizational events such as: Gala, 5k, Golf Outing, Annual Conference, GiGiFest, etc. 

      Manage development pipeline. 

o   Build and maintain a clearly defined donor pipeline/funnel. 

o   Incorporate "moves management" strategies including specific call and visit targets for each giving category. 

o   Ensure donor database (Salesforce) is constantly up to date with contacts and contact info. 

      Support efforts of Chief Belief Officer to maximize broader development opportunities. 

o   Joint donor visits. 

o   Support development of presentations and other stewardship efforts. 

o   Brainstorm on solicitation strategies for six-figure donors, corporate relationships and personal contacts. 

      Ensure all Playhouse locations have the support they need to build an annual fundraising plan and learn important strategies to successfully raise monies in their local markets. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

                  Education and/or Experience:  Bachelor's degree required; At least seven years of relevant sales or fundraising experience.  History of using successful development / fundraising concepts and appropriate solicitation techniques. 

                  Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.  Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.  Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. 

                  Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and the ability to work proficiently in a database program (Salesforce) to run reports. 

                  Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus. 

                  Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

Competencies  

• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed. 

• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics. 

• Written and oral communication: Ability to express ideas and thoughts verbally; expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods. 

• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events. 

• Innovation: Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention. 

• Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans. 

• Quality: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality. 

• Customer Service:  Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments. 

• Technical Skills:  Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills related to technical tools. 

GiGi's Playhouse Core Values: 
GiGi's challenges all staff and volunteers to embody the following core values:  

• Enthusiasm: Bringing positive, high energy to our work  

• Best of All: Always looking to improve in all that we do. Challenge yourself every day.  

• Get It Done: Making things happen and blasting through barriers when needed  

• Believe: Believe in ourselves, believe in our mission, believe we can achieve all that we set out to achieve  

• Locally Concerned, Enterprise Minded: Bringing our Best of All to our local playhouse while being mindful of how our work affects the broader GiGi's network.