Classification: Full-Time Non-Exempt
Reports to: President and Chief Executive Officer
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Job Summary:
The Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) is accountable for the overall creation and success of a well-rounded philanthropy department that addresses annual giving, sponsorships, grants, major, capital, and planned giving. The successful candidate will collaborate with the CEO, executive team, volunteer committees, and the Board of Directors, to plan and execute resource development strategies and measure performance against goals. The ideal candidate will have the ability to partner with colleagues, community groups, and other stakeholders, with the ability to lead large projects and be the organization’s champion among key donor constituencies. The Chief Philanthropy Officer would report directly to the President & CEO.
Organization Profile:
Historic Charleston Foundation’s mission is to advocate for a future for Charleston that honors and protects its people, places, culture, and community.
Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF) is a non-profit organization advancing the broad mission of historic preservation and protecting the livability of the community. As historic preservation has evolved into more than a movement to simply save historic buildings, the Foundation has broadened its scope into balancing the needs of modern society with protecting the significant cultural fabric of our historic communities. The Foundation’s three main mission pillars are Advocacy, Preservation, and Museums.
Responsibilities:
Leadership:
- Lead and mentor the Philanthropy team
- Collaborate with the CEO, other Department Heads, Executive Committee, and Board of Trustees in all philanthropic activities required to fund the organization’s operations and deliver programs within the community
- Create and manage an effective tactical plan for a fully realized philanthropy department that supports the organization’s three mission areas
- Build a dynamic philanthropy performance management plan for the team, consultants, and volunteers that is objective and measurable
- Collaborate with the Foundation’s marketing and communications team as well as external marketing partners
Revenue Generation:
- Lead all efforts to meet and/or exceed annual revenue goals as determined by strategic planning efforts, organizational needs, and proper assessment of philanthropic readiness
- Directly manage a major and leadership gift portfolio
- Oversee the overall donor relationship portfolio to ensure retention and growth of existing donors and acquisition of new donors
Revenue Forecasting:
- Develop and maintain monthly and annual revenue forecasts
- Develop and implement an annual resource development plan that includes long- and short-term objectives for the philanthropy department with measurable revenue targets
- Participate in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the organization’s philanthropic development activities, through controlling expenditures within budget and maintaining donor and financial records in accordance with nationally accepted standards
Community Engagement:
- Identify, recruit, and retain volunteers to drive solicitation and other related activities in each mission area
- Champion and lead the Philanthropy Committee, responsible for planning and implementing philanthropic activities
- Develop strategic alliances with community leaders and public officials
- Work with the Marketing Department to ensure philanthropy messaging is present in efforts to increase visibility of the organization in the community and foster good public relations with our partners and stakeholders
Development Operations:
- Create and manage a team to maximize the current constituent relationship management system (CRM) to identify specific giving opportunities and guide strategies across the donor pipeline to increase giving and grow key relationships
- Ensure that CRM policies and procedures are aligned with the specific needs and activities of the philanthropy department
Qualifications
- 7–10 years of leadership experience, leading teams and organizations through change management principles and frameworks
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, or similar discipline; MBA preferred
- In-depth expertise in fundraising techniques and best practices, pipeline management, fundraising campaign management, and identifying various sources of funding for non-profit organizations
- Astute project management, time management, administrative, organizational, multitasking, and follow-through skills
- Exceptional oral and written communication
- Expertise with social media, print, and other types of marketing channels
- Experience with an historic preservation organization is desired
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with teams, board members, volunteers, community groups, and related agencies
Time Requirements
- Office Hours: Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
- Flexibility to work altered and non-traditional work schedule, including some weekends and evenings, for meetings and events.
Salary
- Commensurate with experience.
How to Apply
To be considered for the position, please submit a cover letter and your resume to Laurie Ouellette via email at louellette@historiccharleston.org.
The employment relationship with Historic Charleston Foundation is at-will and may be terminated by either you or the foundation at any time, for any reason. Neither this form, or any oral or written policy or procedure, nor any representation by any HCF employee, supervisor, or officer can or will change the at-will nature of your employment.
