Charity / Non-Profit

Chief Development Officer Full-time

Position: Chief Development Officer
Department: Development
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Category: Full-time Exempt; salary
Supervises: Development Staff
Salary: $80,000-$90,000 annually (dependent on experience and references)
Position Availability: Immediate

WANT TO WORK FOR ONE OF THE MOST PROGRESSIVE, EFFECTIVE, AND INNOVATIVE LIFESAVING ANIMAL SHELTERS IN THE COUNTRY?

KC Pet Project is a 501c3, nonprofit charitable organization that operates the KC Campus for Animal Care, which is the city of Kansas City, Missouri’s open admission, municipal animal shelter, as well as Pet Adoption Centers in the Zona Rosa shopping center and Petco in Overland Park, KS. We care for more than 16,000 animals annually and are a national leader in the animal welfare industry. Through our Animal Services Division, Pet Support Center, lifesaving, community-centric programs, and 14 locations to adopt in the metro area, KC Pet Project is passionate about creating a caring, safe, and humane community for the people and pets of Kansas City. We focus on progressive programs to help people keep their pets through our Keep ‘Em Together, KC community programs, pet reunification initiatives like lost and found services, reclaim fee forgiveness, microchipping, and pet identification. KC Pet Project performs all animal control operations for the city of Kansas City, MO, through our Animal Services Division.

KC PET PROJECT MISSION
Leading the way in creating a compassionate, safe community for pets and people through progressive, lifesaving programs and services, community resources, and educational opportunities.

KC PET PROJECT PURPOSE
The purpose of KC Pet Project is to provide sheltering and animal services to the city of Kansas City, MO by placing pets into homes with families, enhancing public safety through animal control services, being a resource to people and pets in our community, reuniting lost pets with their owners, establishing pet retention programs, providing educational opportunities, and enriching the lives of pets and people in Kansas City to build up and support a more safe and humane Kansas City. We are reimagining the role of animal services in our community.

KC Pet Project Awards in 2022:
Best Place to Work (over 50 employees) – The Pitch Kansas City Magazine “Best Of” KC Awards
Best Place to Adopt a Pet – The Pitch Kansas City Magazine “Best Of” KC Awards
Best Nonprofit – Kansas City Magazine “Best of KC” Awards

KC Pet Project Awards in 2023:
Best Place to Adopt a Pet – The Pitch Kansas City Magazine “Best Of” KC Awards
Best Fundraising Event runner up – KC Pet Project’s Love Finds a Way Gala – The Pitch “Best Of” KC Awards

POSITION
Kansas City Pet Project seeks an exceptional Chief Development Officer to lead its Development Department and fundraising initiatives at our city’s animal shelter. The CDO is a valued leadership team member and reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer, supervising development staff.

To succeed in this position, the qualified candidate will love animals AND people and can articulate the mission/goals of the organization and its programs. The Chief Development Officer plays a critical role in working with individuals, businesses, and corporations to secure financial gifts, grants, charitable gifts, and bequests and deliver high-impact, successful fundraising events. The chosen candidate will lead the team in identifying new donors, donor relations, stewardship activities, and recognition programs and guide all aspects of the major gift cycle.

Applicants should be individuals who are committed to providing ongoing strategic and creative ideas toward the development of new and sustainable revenue streams to meet the growing demands mandated by the crisis at hand, be calm in the face of challenges, and be communicative with fellow staff members to unearth the best path for the animals and their humans who need our help.

SPECIFIC SKILL SET REQUIREMENTS
This position will be responsible for the oversight of the following:

  • Strategic Planning and Vision: Ability to develop and implement long-term strategic plans that align with the organization’s goals and mission. The CDO must foresee growth opportunities and anticipate challenges.
  • Fundraising Expertise: Proficiency in fundraising techniques, including grant writing, capital campaigns, donor relations, and crowdfunding. Understanding the nuances of different funding sources and how to appeal to each is critical.
  • Leadership and Management: Strong leadership skills to inspire and manage the development team, setting clear goals and ensuring accountability. The ability to mentor staff and foster a collaborative, productive work environment is essential.
  • Communication and Persuasion: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate the organization’s mission, vision, and needs compellingly. This includes grant proposals, presentations, and negotiations.
  • Relationship Building and Networking: The capacity to cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, partners, board members, and other stakeholders. Networking skills are crucial for expanding the organization’s reach and securing support.
  • Financial Acumen: Understanding financial strategies and budget management within the development context. This includes planning, forecasting, and efficiently allocating resources to maximize impact.
  • Analytical and Decision-Making Skills: Ability to analyze data, trends, and market insights to inform strategic decisions. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of fundraising campaigns and adjusting strategies accordingly.
  • Adaptability and Resilience: The fundraising environment can be highly variable and competitive. A CDO must be adaptable, able to pivot strategies in response to changing circumstances, and resilient in the face of setbacks.
  • Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with development software, databases, and tools for donor management, campaign tracking, and reporting. Understanding digital marketing strategies and social media can also be beneficial.
  • Ethical Integrity and Transparency: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all dealings and maintaining transparency with donors, stakeholders, and the public. Trust is a cornerstone of successful development efforts.
  • Cultural Competency: Engaging with and respecting diverse communities and perspectives. This is especially important in global organizations or those serving varied populations.
  • The Chief Development Officer will also lead KCPP’s primary biannual fundraiser, Love Finds a Way, and works closely with the internal development team, the marketing team, the CEO as well as with the outside event professional team assembled for this important event. Likewise, the CDO will manage smaller internal events (open houses, tours, donor gatherings, board-sponsored gatherings) with the Marketing Department, as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or college with advanced degrees preferred
  • Minimum ten years related experience in fundraising and donor solicitation with demonstrated success in the areas of major donor development and planned giving
  • Excellent written communications skills and storytelling; experience in public speaking
  • Provide three letters of referral that support your development prowess. Referrals will be contacted.
  • Three years of related experience in nonprofit event execution
  • Knowledge of the philanthropic community of Kansas City preferred
  • Exceptional level of customer service and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; knowledge of Donor Perfect and Classy databases a plus
  • Creativity and willingness to try new approaches and receive constructive feedback
  • Self-starter who works well both independently and as a member of a team.
  • Must be able to work in a crowded, often stressful, environment under a variety of conditions
  • Confident but humble leader, to work with and inspire the KC Pet Project staff, volunteers and its Board(s) of Directors [Kansas City Pet Project board and KC Campus for Animal Care board]

SALARY and BENEFITS

Salary Range based on experience: $ 80,000 – $ 90,000.
Benefits: KC Pet Project offers a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect employee health, family, and way of life. KC Pet Project pays towards health insurance premiums for all full-time employees and offers a choice of three health care plan options, as well as dental and vision insurance. We pay the full premium for a group term life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) policy. Employees can enroll in other voluntary benefits. We also offer an Employer Assistance Plan, Work-Life Services, a 401k retirement account, and employee discounts in our retail store and in-house Roasterie Coffee Shop.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Qualified Applicants, please submit the following via email to :

  • Cover letter introducing yourself containing full contact information [Legal Name, Full Address, Primary email address, mobile phone #, home or other phone #]
  • Resume that includes past employers, dates, supervisor names and professional accomplishments
  • Provide the contact information of up to three references who can speak to your work ethic and quality and three letters of recommendation.

Diversity and Inclusion
KC Pet Project is committed to being a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability, feels valued and respected. We at KC Pet Project are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and locations. We respect and value diverse life experiences and cultures and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

We are committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for the entire animal welfare community, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.

We know that the more diverse and inclusive we are, the better we will be. Kansas City Pet Project is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions or qualifications associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change, for example, emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, or technological breakdowns in departments.

Job Overview