Cypress Cove is a warm, welcoming senior living neighborhood in South Fort Myers, Florida, offering formal and casual dining, as well as beautiful, maintenance-free apartments and villas. Conveniently located at HealthPark Florida, this full-service Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) provides the assurance of quality health care and support when needed most.
 
Cypress Cove at HealthPark Florida, located in beautiful, palm-lined Fort Myers, is a leading nonprofit CCRC focused on delivering high quality facilities, programs and services that stimulate and enrich the lives of residents. Offering independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, memory care and home health services in a single site, Cypress Cove is sponsored by Lee Healthcare Resources, a support organization to Lee Memorial Health System, Lee County's premier healthcare provider since 1916. With annual revenue of $26 million, the organization employs approximately 365 associates.
 
Cypress Cove currently consists of 363 independent apartments and villas, in addition to 104 private suites on the healthcare side. The new Memory Care Center, opening summer 2016, will house an additional 44 residents and provide specialized care for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Cypress Cove offers a holistic approach to living – social, recreational, educational and wellness opportunities that fulfill its residents’ body, mind and soul.  
 
 
 
The Opportunity: Philanthropy Specialist
 
As a key member of the Cypress Cove team, the Philanthropy Specialist will report directly to the Director of Resident Services and work closely with the Philanthropy & Volunteer Coordinator and other colleagues.
 
The primary responsibilities of the Philanthropy Specialist will be to strategically plan and execute a growing comprehensive planned giving and fundraising program to meet annual revenue targets, to serve as the voice of philanthropy and the source of development best practices at Cypress Cove, to work with the Philanthropy & Volunteer Coordinator to organize engagement-focused activities and events, and to manage all projects related to the cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and acknowledgement of fund contributions.
 
Performance Objectives
 
Leadership

• Serve as an articulate, enthusiastic and visible spokesperson for and representative of Cypress Cove.
• Foster collaboration throughout the organization, encouraging cooperation and instilling a culture and appreciation of philanthropy among all Cypress Cove staff and volunteers.
• Develop and execute an annual philanthropy plan with the Director of Resident Services that is consistent with Cypress Cove policy, needs, goals and revenue objectives.
• Develop and monitor a moves management system to encourage continued and more robust donor engagement and giving over time.
• Generate reports to track and analyze key fundraising activities and results, ongoing and new.
• Serve as an organizational resource by providing appropriate training and support to the leadership team, Board members, and others involved in fundraising.
• Develop and implement measurable objectives, strategies, budgets, funding strategies and timelines.
• Provide collaborative leadership in maintaining positive and productive relationships with the residents, Board of Directors, professional colleagues, partner organizations and volunteers.
• Develop, motivate, supervise and maintain a highly effective, productive support staff. The position currently has one direct report, a Philanthropy & Volunteer Coordinator.

 
Board and Volunteer Relations

• Communicate effectively and promptly with the Board of Directors.
• Effectively engage volunteers, colleagues and residents in building a culture of philanthropy.
• Work with and provide training for Board members and leadership, providing motivation and support management for fundraising, gift cultivation and solicitation.
• Develop strong, trusting relationships with Board leadership and volunteers.
• Identify, develop, mentor and manage the activities of volunteers who play a role in fundraising.

 
Fundraising

• Provide executive leadership and oversight for all aspects of fund development, including staff and volunteer activities and relationships.
• Maintain an active portfolio (identification, cultivation solicitation and stewardship) of donor relationships in addition to supporting the Executive Director and the Board in their philanthropic activities.
• Provide strategic leadership in significantly growing and diversifying the donor base.
• Maintain knowledge of charitable tax laws, prepare documents for gift transactions, engage counsel for advice on such transactions and regulatory compliance, accept gifts and pledges as an agent for Cypress Cove.
• Provide oversight to encourage a growing planned giving program of charitable remainder trusts (CRTs), gift annuity agreements, bequests and other vehicles.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, statutes, and ethical and professional standards.
• Receive, respond and report on telephone, email and written inquiries from donors, volunteers, partners and staff, and provide necessary support and information.
• Partner with the Philanthropy & Volunteer Coordinator to plan and execute events, activities and projects to encourage donor participation and engagement.
• Monitor trends and opportunities within the industry.

 
The Qualified Candidate
 
Cypress Cove is seeking an accomplished, focused Development professional with Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) or related experience to serve as Philanthropy Specialist. Reporting to the Director of Resident Services, s/he will be relationship-focused, motivated, results-oriented, resourceful, creative, highly energetic and intelligent, with exceptional interpersonal, communication, collaboration and organizational skills. The successful candidate will be passionate and knowledgeable about Cypress Cove’s mission, and polished and respectful in communication with Cypress Cove residents, leadership and other stakeholders. The candidate must have a track record of following through on promises. An enthusiastic outlook and a collaborative nature with demonstrated experience in making direct solicitations and closing gifts is essential.
 
 
Specific Requirements Include:

• The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of successful fundraising/sales experience.
• Experience working with the senior population and/or long term care and retirement industries is preferred, though not required.
• Prowess in problem-solving, strategic and creative thinking, plus taking initiative with consistent and good follow through.
• Great comfort level with direct donor interaction is a must, including discussions of personal and family finances and asking for major financial commitments.
• Proven ability to build and nurture strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including residents, board members, professional colleagues, volunteers, public leadership, partner organizations and others.
• Track record in financial management, stewardship, and developing strategies to successfully increase revenue.
• Strong analytic and strategic-thinking skills, with demonstrated ability to create, implement and monitor complex plans and translate those plans into goals and concrete strategies.
• Career track record that shows stability with an organization and capacity to develop and nurture relationships culminating in overall success.

 
This position offers a competitive salary with generous benefits. Relocation assistance may be offered. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
 
Cypress Cove 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 Laura Weinman, Senior Consultant at Alford Executive Search. Questions may be addressed to lweinman@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
Candidates may apply by clicking the APPLY NOW button below. To assure confidential tracking, no resumes will be accepted via email.  ALL INQUIRIES WILL BE HELD IN STRICT CONFIDENCE
 
Alford Executive Search, a division of Kistner Eddy Executive Services (KEES), is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening the not-for-profit community through professional staffing solutions.