Executive Director

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The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte (DSA-GC) is a non-profit, family support organization supporting Charlotte, NC and the surrounding communities. The goal of the DSA-GC and its families is to enable individuals with Down syndrome (Ds) to reach their full potential and become respected members of their community. We envision a world of true inclusion in which all people with Ds have the chance to lead typical lives of possibility and opportunity, reach their goals and become valued members of welcoming communities.

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for all people with Down syndrome by empowering individuals, families and professionals with information and support through education, social programs and community partnerships.

Overview:
The Executive Director provides oversight and overall management, planning, vision and leadership for all aspects of the DSA-GC. He or she is the public voice of the DSA-GC and communicates the DSA-GC’s vision with passion and commitment. The Executive Director also serves as the Head of Fund Development for the DSA-GC. He or she works with and the Board of Directors to establish an annual fund raising plan and coordinates all draftsmanship and fundraising efforts of the DSA-GC.

Core responsibilities:
• Oversee and manage operations and infrastructure, including donor systems, processes and reporting.
• Provide support to the board, development committees and community partners for fundraising activity including training, development of materials, relationship management and ongoing donor cultivation efforts.
• Participates in financial planning and budget preparation, develop related financial projections.
• Cultivates a unified and collaborative organization that lives out its values and mission and elevates the brand in the community
• Ensures the organization has the appropriate financial and operational metrics and develop appropriate benchmark reports for the President, board and staff.
• Ensure that the organizational culture is one that is progressive, transparent, consistent and highly communicative.
• Provide strategic fiscal leadership that supports current programs and services, increases revenue and strengthens the financial health of the organization.
• Assess progress toward strategic priorities and lead the organization (staff, volunteers, partners and membership) through strategic planning processes at appropriate times.
• Assess existing partnerships and relationships and cultivate and grow relationships with key stakeholders.
• Support DSA-GC’s membership/volunteer committees in an effort to advance the priorities of each committee.
• Monitor and analyze relevant activity in the legislative and administrative branches of state and federal government and in peer advocacy organizations.
• Develop an overall strategy for fundraising and increased contributed revenue to support the vision, mission and services.
• Develop effective and strategic relationships with donors, corporate funders, foundations, community leaders and constituents.
• Participate in community events to represent the organization and to build relationships.
• Cultivates and solicits the highest tier individual and institutional donors.
Responsible for fund development programs including
• Annual Giving (direct mail, digital giving, broad-based peer-to-peer).
• Major Gifts.
• Events.
• Corporate Sponsorship.
• Corporate and Foundation Grants.
• Planned Giving.
• Third-Party Fundraising.
• Grateful Members.

Experience, knowledge, skills and abilities required:
• Reflect DSA-GC’s core values and demonstrate an ability to quickly integrate into the community and serve as an engaged, professional, inspiring, innovative and visionary leader.
• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree in a relevant field preferred.
• At least 8 years’ experience working in a leadership capacity in the nonprofit sector and/or closely aligned field, solid experience working in or alongside the special needs community is a plus and 5 years’ proven results in fund development specific role.
• Ability to push incremental change with broader long-term goals in sight.
• Must be a masterful communicator and excellent listener with strong ability to build trust among a wide range of constituents.
• Strong supervision and management skills. An inclusive leadership and management style that encourages staff in ways that motivate them to perform at their best.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting and securing major gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations and extensive knowledge of fund development principles, strategies and tactics.
• Measurable experience in Corporate and Foundation Grant writing.
• An understanding and experience with donor databases and systems.
• Strategic thinking and planning skills with the ability to establish and implement short-term and long-term plans for achieving goals.
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and to establish and manage priorities, goals and timelines.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.