Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. Eighty-two cents of every dollar the Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide, and as a branch of the Christian Church, the ultimate goal of all programs is the spiritual regeneration of all people. Celebrating its 150^th Anniversary last year, their message is based on the Bible, and its ministry is motivated by the love of God. William Booth and his wife, Catherine, founded The Salvation Army in 1865 to serve London’s worst poverty-stricken districts.
 
The Northwest Division is part of the Western USA Territory (THQ), one of the Army’s four U.S. geographic service areas. Divisional Headquarters for the Northwest Division is located in Seattle and is comprised of the state of Washington, Northern Idaho and western Montana. It is a large area: the furthest location is just under one thousand miles from Seattle.
 
The Opportunity: DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
 
The Divisional Director of Development (DDD) will oversee the Northwest Division’s Development Department focusing on Community Relations (Public Relations, Websites, Social Media), Donor Relations and Management, Financial Development (Direct Mail, Major Gifts, Special Events, Capital Campaigns) and Planned Giving, supervising a team of experienced professionals and support staff. The DDD serves as liaison between the Divisional Commander and the King County Advisory Board, inclusive Board development and training. The Director of Development will also serve as point person for crisis communications for the Northwest Division. He/she will report directly to the Divisional Commander (aka CEO), Major Bill Dickinson.
 
The Director has direct oversight of all fundraising activities in King County (Seattle and surrounding areas), a population base of 2.1 million people. Seattle is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. It has a vibrant tech industry (Microsoft) and is the headquarters of Amazon, aerospace (Boeing), Starbucks, etc. In addition, he/she will have advisory and support responsibilities for all locations in the rest of the Division. He/she will actively build supportive relationships with Corps Officers (Pastors), Social Service Directors, local Development personnel and local Advisory Boards throughout the Division.
 
The Army’s development plans are heavily data driven. Based on a donor data base of about 70,000 donors, detailed annual financial development plans are developed. Donor engagement, retention and recognition are central to the process. Research and prospecting are ongoing. The Army continuously seeks partnerships with corporations, foundations, government and other funding sources. The Salvation Army has been aggressive and innovative in developing its social media and website presence.
 
Performance will be benchmarked and evaluated by progress in the accomplishment of the following critical objectives outlined below in these four primary categories:
 
General Leadership and Administration

• Oversee annual planning and implementation of a strong direct / integrated marketing plan throughout the Division to serve as a solid foundation for all fundraising and constituent communications, resulting in consistent net gains.
• Work with the Divisional leadership team to actively protect and uphold the vision, mission, values and goals of The Salvation Army with the public constituency, internal and external, of the Army in the Northwest Division.
• Establish a pattern of regular, meaningful staff and other project-focused meetings to create a functional team atmosphere among the entire department, encouraging cooperation and mutual support, good communications, professional development, creativity, and proactive goal-setting.
• Direct, organize, train, lead, inspire and facilitate work-related accountability relationships (performance goals and expectations) for all Divisional development department staff, which shall include but will not be limited to the following functions/activities: Community Relations, Direct Mail, Grants and Foundations, Corporate Giving, Advisory Boards, Campaigns, Planned Giving, and all development department support staff.
• Provide leadership and support, directly and indirectly, to all Department staff in the various development and marketing functions, with resources for training and annual performance evaluations, and make recommendations for new hires, employment separations and position/compensation changes. Administer Human Resource systems, adhering to all Salvation Army HR policies and State, Federal and contract-mandated compliance requirements.
• Responsible for all department administrative duties, including the preparation and management of strategic plans and budgets for the Community Relations and Development Department. Oversee all development operations and supervise all professional staff to ensure they work effectively with all section and department heads at Divisional Headquarters, as well as key volunteers.
• Possess a clear understanding of the goals and objectives, organizational structure, and reporting hierarchy of all TSA operations within the Northwest Division. Certify that all reports related to the Department required by the Division and THQ are prepared and submitted in a timely and professional manner.
• Work cooperatively with the Territorial Executive Director of Development (TEDD) and other Territorial Community Relations and Development (CRD) professional staff to develop and implement the Territorial Major Giving Programs and management structure, program standards, and business practices and policies, and do the same with other THQ initiatives / programs (e.g., planned giving, digital fundraising, donor data management). Ensure that all current policies and procedures as required by The Salvation Army are adhered to.

 
Fundraising and Marketing/Communications Leadership

• Establish new and strengthen existing relationships with individuals, and alliances with corporations and foundations, with a focus on outright mission donations, grants, sponsorships and partnerships. Maintain a personal donor portfolio of strategic relationships (individuals, corporations, foundations, organizations, etc.) that result in advancing tactical relationships annually via education, cultivation and soliciting of gifts.
• Provide for and ensure that healthy stewardship principles and actions occur and are applied to all current and future Army donors wherever they may live in the Northwest Division. This will include, but will not be limited to, customer servicing, communications, education, recognition, gift solicitation, donor acknowledgement, and impact reporting.
• Work with the Community Relations Director to ensure the efficacy of strong and proactive public relations, branding and social media programs throughout all markets in the Division to augment awareness. This includes oversight of publications and promotions to maximize their impact.
• Oversee the Direct Marketing Program for the Division, continually looking for new and inventive ways to increase the direct mail appeals and communication for the Corps. Assure the retained consultants are productive, efficient, and meeting agreed upon targets. Ensure CFC approval is received for all agreements.
• Work with donor data management professionals to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of donor record updates, maintain accurate fundraising reports for the current fiscal year, as well as year-to-year analyses using the Portfolio database.
• Provide guidance to facilitate the research, planning, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of national, multi-year grants and investments. Work with the Grant Writer to also monitor public funding opportunities and CFR requirements.
• Orchestrate digital media efforts throughout the Division in concert with the communications staff.
• Collaborate with Territorial’s Regional Managers of Major Giving and Planned Giving Programs on an ongoing basis in the management of the Donor Relation Director and Planned Giving teams to ensure a continuum of successful major donor and legacy giving programs are in place.

 
Community, Volunteer and Advisory Board Relations

• Serve as the staff liaison to the Northwest Division Advisory Board alongside Officer Leadership, deploying staff as needed to effectively manage and support successful Board communications, meetings, committees, events and projects.
• Work closely with Corps Officers and Program Directors to maintain and develop The Salvation Army advisory organizations (local Advisory Boards) within the Division to include the training, recruitment, orientation, effective utilization and regular evaluation of Boards and individual members.
• Work with Board and Officer Leadership to ensure best practices in Board recruitment, orientation, standards, goal setting, committee work, fundraising, and member engagement.
• Serve as an articulate, enthusiastic and visible spokesperson for the Northwest Division and represent the Army at public meetings, reception and events, seminars, service clubs and other group gatherings of media, philanthropic, corporate and civic leaders.
• Oversee community relationships, including its volunteers, throughout the Division to create favorable public support for The Salvation Army.

 
Field Support and Leadership

• Work cooperatively with the Regional Manager of Major Giving Programs and assist Corps Officers, Program Directors and Advisory Board Members with the donor solicitations process. Support may include donor identification and cultivation, donor research, face-to-face appointments and meetings, etc.
• Promote capital campaigns throughout the Division and provide the resources and guidance to the field in order to make the campaigns successful. Become familiar with capital campaign potential for each community served.
• Provide technical and practical development activity support and consultation to any and all ministry or service units within the Division, as need is determined and communicated.
• Lead or support successful planning and execution of capital and endowment campaigns, working with consultants and leadership volunteers as needed along with internal leadership, development staff and other key stakeholders.

 
The Qualified Candidate
 
The Salvation Army’s Northwest Division seeks an inspirational, savvy fundraising Divisional Director of Development (DDD), an entrepreneurial and motivating manager who will rally the troops and serve as the lead strategist and primary executor of initiatives, taking this vital nonprofit to a whole new level of success in fundraising. The successful candidate will be a goal-oriented, dynamic leader with demonstrated and proven abilities in generating diverse, contributed income revenue streams and managing teams of matrixed fundraising and marketing professionals. The DDD will have a minimum of ten years of progressive and executive-level development experience. Preference will be given to those who have a background in working for a faith-based organization and possess a working knowledge of the philanthropic community within the northwestern states. It is imperative that this individual fully embrace the mission of The Salvation Army. The Divisional Director of Development will bring a heart for the hunt – a deep desire and energy to break into new grounds to exceed fundraising goals, coupled with a gift to identify and develop opportunities for donors and the Army to come together.
 
Specific Requirements Include:

• Passion for The Salvation Army’s mission, coupled with a strong commitment to know and understand the Army’s history, mission and structure, as well as its services, policies and procedures.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing or related field; Advanced degree and/or CFRE credential preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of successful development and a minimum of 5 years executive-level management experience in all aspects of fundraising, including direct mail, grant writing, online giving, major gifts, planned giving, special events, capital campaigns, and public relations of a mid- to large-sized team.
• Career track record that shows stability with a nonprofit organization, with preferred tenures of 3-5 years in recent positions.
• Proven ability to develop, nurture and build relationships with diverse individuals in different geographies, including executives, volunteers, donors and internal stakeholders such as staff, program operators, Officers (Army leadership) and professional colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to set, achieve or exceed goals and meet deadlines with a natural capability of juggling and managing multiple projects and people.
• Engaging personality and good listener, excelling in stewardship with direct donor interaction, including discussions of personal and family finances and solicitation of funding support.
• A team leader and player, with an ability to effectively motivate staff, leaders and key volunteers to collaborate for the successful achievement of departmental and organizational goals.
• Aptitude to work independently in a complex environment, managing conflicting priorities with internal and external diplomacy, while maintaining integrity and confidentiality.
• Detail oriented, accurate, precise and strong decision-maker with skillful approach that evaluates options, resources and outcomes in light of the strategic plan of the Northwest Division.
• A management style that exhibits the principles and values of the Army, as well as fosters team relationships and effectively communicates information.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentational communications skills and management style that exhibits the principles and culture of the Army.
• Willingness and ability to travel on a regular basis throughout the Northwest Division. It is estimated that travel will not exceed 25% out of Divisional boundaries, based on the needs of the local Corps/Programs. Valid Driver’s License and a clean driving record required. Administrative and management meetings will be held mainly at Divisional Headquarters (DHQ) in Seattle, with occasional travel outside the Division for conferences and territorial meetings.
• A proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and with donor CRM database software, especially in the generation of reports; working knowledge of Portfolio a plus.

 
The Salvation Army offers a competitive salary and a robust benefits package. The final candidate will be required to submit full background and reference checks. Relocation assistance may be offered.
 
The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.
 
To Apply
 
This search is being managed by Heather Eddy, President & CEO and Laura Weinman, Senior Consultant of Kistner Eddy Executive Services (KEES). Questions may be addressed to lweinman@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
Candidates may apply by clicking the APPLY NOW button below, and thereon submit their cover letter and resume. To assure confidential tracking of all applicants, no applications will be accepted via email.
 
ALL INQUIRIES WILL BE HELD IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
 
KEES is a retained search firm that builds transformative teams and leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. For more information, visit www.kees2success.com.
 
More about The Salvation Army:
 
The Salvation Army’s Northwest Division is active in 194 locations: 30 Corps (churches) 9 institutions, 164 Service Extension Units (social services offered by volunteers in small communities) and two camps. Services range from homeless shelters, addiction treatment, thrift stores, domestic violence programs, youth centers, after-school programs, services for seniors, disaster services, counseling, basic social services, nutrition, services for veterans, youth and senior camps, senior housing, music programs and large Christmas programs. For instance, in King County alone, Christmas programs in 2015 helped 3,000 families, provided toys for 6,500 children, distributing 2,335 food boxes. During 2015, 526,500 people were assisted in the Northwest Division. The total budget for the Division is $70M.
 
The Salvation Army’s Western USA Territory is comprised of 10 Divisions and serving communities in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Hawaii, Guam, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, Territorial Headquarters (THQ) is situated in Long Beach, California under the leadership of Commissioner James Knaggs, Territorial Commander. Various Territorial staff interact with the Northwest Division as it relates to Development and Marketing, with the primary leadership support provided by Chaz Watson, Territorial Executive Director of Development, Susan Levin, Territorial Director of Major Giving Programs, as well as other functional staff in specific disciplines of Direct Mail/Marketing, Planned Giving, Online/Interactive, etc.