Development & Community Engagement Manager

Join us at LifeSpire of Virginia where we impact lives and build careers! We are comprised of 5 nonprofit senior life plan communities, have over 1200 team members across Virginia, and believe strongly in our mission of empowering individuals with choices in purposeful living.

We have a collaborative and supportive team that supports work / life integration and personal development. Together we can make a difference for residents and their families.

If you have strong benefit communication skills and a drive for excellence, we'd love to talk to you.

GENERAL OVERVIEW : This position provides leadership support for the Philanthropy Program at LifeSpire, which is conducted by the VBH Foundation.

The broad responsibilities include strategic donor management and annual fund management, as well as acting on behalf of the Vice President in the Foundation’s day to day operations.

This position also supports the social accountability efforts and volunteer programs across all entities.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Strategic Planning
• Assists the Vice President, President & CEO, and Trustees in the creation of a long term strategic plan for the Foundation
• Develops and implements strategies for donor cultivation, solicitation, donor recognition, and stewardship plans for all categories of donors and prospects and for all levels of giving
• Creates and maintains a donor communications plan for all donors and prospects, to include but not limited to articles for Generosity Matters, Foundation Friday social media posts, and other opportunities through the year
• Looks for and uses opportunities to educate other staff and volunteers about the role of the Foundation and how it supports LifeSpire’s mission
• Relationship Building
• Visits communities regularly (minimum each community once a month), formally and informally, to educate and cultivate residents for giving, including new resident visits and presentations as necessary
• Identifies annual donors who may be prospects for strategic, legacy, or capital giving
• Assigns soliciting responsibilities to Vice President and other senior leaders for major, legacy, and sponsorship giving
• Maintains a close working relationship with other key staff members and volunteers
• Fundraising implementation
• Follows fundraising priorities of LifeSpire Board of Trustees and President & CEO
• Works towards and achieves measurable annual fundraising goals
• Oversees the general duties of the development office, including gift processing, record keeping, and donor acknowledgment for all giving
• Plans and oversees all Foundation sponsored events and initiates participation in LifeSpire community events where cultivation and stewardship opportunities exist
• Coordinates the creation and preparation of all annual solicitation materials including brochures, letters, website, and email campaigns as needed
• Creates and maintains a prospect tracking system for the portfolios of the President, Vice President, and their own prospects
• Solicits donor prospects in coordination with the Vice President
• Prepares annual work plans for all types of giving, including goals and time schedules for each activity
• Oversees the creation of donor and prospect mailing lists for all solicitations, events, publications, and email communications
• Maintains confidentiality of all donor, resident, and organization records
• Community Engagement
• Continued development and implementation of the Social Accountability program throughout LifeSpire, working with champions at each community to identify opportunities and share stories

o Provide monthly, quarterly and annual reports on social accountability activities

o Oversee the volunteer programs at each community

o Act as point of contact for Get Connected’ our volunteer tracking software, and provide training to all constituents

o Provide monthly, quarterly and annual reports on volunteerism

o Assists Communications Manager with identifying, cultivating and writing content related to human interest stories, social accountability and volunteerism for LifeSpire communication channels

o Provides support and communication to community Chaplains, scheduling quarterly meetings / calls and assisting with Spiritual Life grants

• Administration
• Oversees the maintenance of Raiser’s Edge data integrity of donor records, reconciliation of data with Accounting, and general database maintenance
• Oversees the preparation of donor and prospect mailing lists for solicitations, events, publications, and email communications
• Adheres to the AFP Code of Ethical Conduct and Professional Practices, which is the philanthropy industry standards of best practices
• Continues to stay abreast of best practices for philanthropy and the senior services sectors

education and / or experience :

• Commitment to advancing the mission of LifeSpire of Virginia and the VBH Foundation
• Three + years of experience in a development or communications role
• Bachelor’s degree or certification in a continuing education program of fundraising
• Enjoys flexible, varied work assignments. Ability to handle special projects.
• Self-starter with lots of initiative and creative problem solving skills who is also willing to take direction. Must be able to work alone and in a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to set priorities, and carry out short- and long-range goals.
• Strong leadership skills, ability to supervise other team members
• Effective time management and able to work with minimal supervision, demonstrated ability to work in a multi-tasked fast paced environment.
• Strong computer skills; experience with Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel.

Experience with Raiser’s Edge is preferred.

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong oral and written communication skills, preference given to those with public speaking experience
• Ability to maintain high level of resident and donor confidentiality
• Must be enthusiastic and demonstrate strong people skills.

Cheerful, pleasant personality and sense of humor.

• Valid driving license and personal transportation for occasional statewide travel with insurance required
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and drug screening test

We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination / harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.