Director of Development

Erie Humane Society

Director of Development Job Description

Position:             Director of Development

Reports To:         Erie Humane Society Board of Directors

Job Location:     Erie Humane Society Shelter and Erie Humane Society Pet Wellness Clinic

Employment Type:      This is a full-time salaried position which sometimes requires nights and

weekend availability.

Compensation: Salary based on experience with potential for goal-based bonus. Salary Range:  $50,000-$80,000

Erie Humane Society:    

Our Mission: Rescue|Rehabilitate|Rehome

The Erie Humane Society is an independent, registered 501-c3 nonprofit, local animal shelter, operating under no-kill standards. We help orphaned, injured, and abused pets by focusing our efforts on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming; keeping them safe, providing shelter, veterinary care and nutrition, and helping them lead happy, healthy lives.

Job Description: Director of Development - Erie Humane Society

Position Summary:

The Erie Humane Society seeks an enthusiastic and highly organized individual to lead our community engagement and fundraising efforts. The Director of Development will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive strategy to cultivate donor relationships, secure diverse funding sources, and enhance the Erie Humane Society's public profile. This role will work in conjunction with the Director of Marketing and will also communicate and collaborate with the Board of Directors and provide regular reports on goals, progress, and challenges. This role requires a proven track record in nonprofit fundraising, strong communication skills, and a deep commitment to animal welfare.

Key Responsibilities:

Community & Public Relations:

• • Serve as the primary spokesperson for the Erie Humane Society, building strong relationships with community stakeholders, media, and partners.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Marketing to develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy to enhance the organization's public profile across various platforms.
  • Collaboration with the Director of Marketing on content creation and social media engagement.
  • Represent the Erie Humane Society at community events, meetings, and media interview/appearances.
  • Collaborate with Director of Marketing to develop and foster positive working relationships with local media and pursue potential opportunities for publicity.

Fundraising & Donor Relations:

• • Lead all fundraising activities, including major gifts, individual giving, planned giving, grant writing, corporate sponsorships, and special events.
  • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at all levels. Maintain strong relationships with major donors, ensuring their continued engagement and loyalty.
  • Manage the donor database, track donations, and issue timely acknowledgements.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan, collaborating closely with the Board of Directors, Events Committee and Director of Marketing.

Grant Writing & Resource Development:

• Research, write, and submit grant proposals to foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Explore and secure diverse funding opportunities beyond traditional donations.
• Develop and manage corporate partnerships and sponsorships.

Events and Program Management:

• • Plan, organize, and execute fundraising events, from conception to post-event analysis.
  • Develop event budgets, timelines, and resource plans.
  • Coordinate with vendors, sponsors, volunteers, and staff to ensure successful event execution.
  • Manage event registration, guest lists, and on-site logistics.
  • Development and implementation of community outreach programs, events, and campaigns.
  • Ensure compliance with all legal, health, and safety regulations.

Pet Loss Outreach

• Proactive outreach to key referral sources (ex., veterinarians) and community engagement.
• Collaborate with Director of Marketing to develop and execute a strategic marketing plan to increase awareness of pet loss services.
• Contribute to the development of marketing materials and collateral.
• Promote our services through various outreach activities, including community events, media, and networking.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Communication, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, including grant writing, donor relationship management, and events planning.
• Proven success in securing grants and sponsorships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to diverse audiences. Previous experience with media interviews, and appearances preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
• Experience developing and implementing marketing and public relations strategies.
• Ability to lead and coordinate volunteer teams during events, creating a positive and collaborative event environment.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Experience coordinating the efforts of a team to meet deadlines and improve efficiency.
• Ability to work effectively within a diverse team, coordinating efforts to achieve shared goals.

• Proficiency in database management software.
• Deep understanding of the Erie community and its resources.

The Erie Humane Society seeks a dynamic and experienced Director of Development to continue to advance our mission. We offer a competitive compensation package including health benefits (medical, dental, vision), 401(k), paid time off, and holidays.

To be considered, please submit your resume, cover letter, and salary expectation to EHS Search Committee at [email protected] with "Director of Development Application" in the subject line by February 7, 2025.