Fast Facts

College Possible Wisconsin is seeking a Senior Director of Development with remote flexibility to lead fundraising initiatives and manage a development team, significantly impacting the organization’s ability to support low-income students in their college journey.

Responsibilities: Oversee the implementation of the fundraising plan, manage development and communications team, build donor relationships, and engage in advocacy with local, state, and federal government.

Skills: Requires excellent communication, relationship-building abilities, data analysis skills, and proficiency in donor management systems like Salesforce.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and 8+ years in development leadership; a Master's or CFRE is preferred; experience with service programs like AmeriCorps is beneficial.

Location: Position allows for remote work from surrounding states with occasional travel required to Wisconsin for events and team gatherings.

Compensation: Not provided by employer. Typical compensation ranges for this position are between $90,000 - $130,000.

Senior Director of Development

College Possible Wisconsin - has the flexibility to be remote but resides in surrounding states

About College Possible

As one of the largest and most successful college access and success organizations in the country, since 2000 College Possible has empowered more than 85,700 students on their path to earning a college degree. Its pioneering model matches eligible students with a near-peer coach and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help them overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree - all at no cost to students or their families. Compared with their peers from similar backgrounds, College Possible students are 30% more likely to enroll in college the year after high school graduation, and three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree.

College Possible is a proud AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service. Our AmeriCorps members commit to a year of service as College Possible coaches in communities throughout the country. Many represent the identities of the students they serve, and each brings a commitment to social justice and closing the college equity divide.

Our near-peer coaching model has earned national recognition: the inaugural Evergreen National Education Award recognized our leadership in increasing access to and success in college for students from low-income backgrounds. It also earns top-of-field results: a Harvard study found that the program more than doubles a student's chance of enrolling in a four-year college, and our students are four times more likely to become college graduates than their low-income peers. College Possible has an annual operating budget of ~$33.5 million, more than 190 full-time employees and more than 245 AmeriCorps and VISTA service members. During the 2021-2022 school year, we reached an estimated 25,700 students nationwide.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates: regional sites in Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Saint Paul, MN; and Seattle, WA; as well as Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

College Possible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to build a diverse workforce to create impact in partnership with the communities we serve. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants. For each of its positions, College Possible is mindful about what best serves our students, and seeks to hire staff with relevant experience, skills and aptitude, and a commitment to the power of education.

Equal Opportunity Employer

College Possible is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals and conduct all possible activities in fully accessible settings. Alternative application formats are available upon request by contacting hr@collegepossible.org.

Your Role as Sr. Director of Development

The Senior Director of Development works closely with the Executive Director to translate site strategies into an actionable plan for all fundraising activities including corporations, foundations, individuals, other community organizations and government. This position is responsible for leading on the implementation of the site's fundraising plan including grant proposals and reports, prospecting, solicitation, relationship building, portfolio management, data analysis, special events, as well as the design and implementation of the site's marketing and communications plan.

Leading and Managing Development & Communications Team: (50%) Responsible for directly supervising the personnel of development and communication roles within the development department. Responsible for building positive relationships, managing expectations, communicating clearly on strategies and priorities, and developing skills that lead to high performance.
Prospecting, Relationship Building and Stewardship: (10%) Build on existing relationships, improve donor retention through a meaningful stewardship strategy and prospecting for new sources of revenue both locally and based on our statewide expansion. The focus areas for prospecting with be Stevens Point, Racine, Kenosha, and Green Bay. Manage portfolio of leadership and major donors. Leverage Executive Director and advisory board members in these efforts.
Portfolio Management: (5%) The Senior Director of Development maintains a portfolio of key individual and institutional supporters.
Planning and Analysis: (15%) Work closely with the Executive Director and local advisory board of directors to move organizational priorities forward through the annual fundraising plans with the broad goal of achieving revenue goals. Oversee the creation of site performance metrics for the Portland site to track and analyze progress towards achieving revenue and communication goals.
Local, State, & Federal Government Relations & Advocacy: (20%) Work closely with the Executive Director and local board of directors to create a multi- year plan for cultivating and building on existing local, state, and federal grants. Work with local, state, federal government to advocate for College Possible and key legislative initiatives that support mission.
Other Duties as Assigned

What You Bring

Education/Certifications/Licenses:

Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree and/or CFRE helpful.

Related Work Experience:

Eight+ years of leadership/oversight of development in a similar organization or industry.
Experience demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility.
Experience with AmeriCorps, VISTA, or other service programs preferred.

Computer/Software Skills:

Experience with Salesforce, or other CRM preferred.
Strong computer skills, including demonstrated proficiency in MS Office Products.

Other Skills, Abilities and Requirements:

Proven ability to prospect, secure and steward high level donor relationships resulting in sustainable revenue.
Significant commitment to the mission of helping low-income students' admission into college and persist to degree completion.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills across diverse audiences.
Strong attention to detail with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and Flexibility to work in multiple locations.
Demonstrated ability to use collect and analyze data.
Proven record of facilitation and collaboration with organizations and the community.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when
Ability to work remotely.
If residing in surrounding states, travel will be required to Wisconsin for events and team gatherings.
Ability to stand and/or sit for a minimum of 7 hours a day.

What We Offer

In addition to joining a committed, diverse, values-based organization, we offer:

An opportunity for you to have a tremendous impact both internally and in the broader
A competitive salary commensurate with experience.
Excellent benefits including complete health, dental, life, short-term and long-term insurance.
401(k) retirement plan.
Encouraged sustainability through a generous paid time off program.
Personalized professional development and growth opportunities.

To Join Our Growing College Possible Team:

Please apply at: www.CollegePossible.org/careers Include a resume, cover letter.

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Senior Director of Development - Remote Flexibility - to surrounding states