The YMCA of Central Florida has an exciting opportunity to join our experienced and innovative executive leadership team as the Chief Development Officer (CDO). The Y of Central Florida is a recognized leader within the YMCA national movement, operating over 20 locations, spanning 6 counties, with an annual revenue of approximately $65M and opportunities for membership growth through an expanding Central Florida population. We’ve developed a strategic plan that guides the organization, positively impacting the lives of 600,000 Florida residents and growing to 40,000 advocates.
Our corporate office is centrally located in Downtown Orlando, Florida. Nearby are many world-class attractions, well-known theme parks, diverse dining and shopping options, museums, and an international airport. Events and entertainment are regularly held at the state of the art Amway Center and Dr. Phillips Performing Art Center. For the sports enthusiasts, Orlando is home to national sport teams, Orlando Magic and Orlando City Soccer. Nicknamed “The City Beautiful” Orlando offers many public lakes, walkable communities, pleasant year-round weather and it’s a short 45 minute drive to Cocoa and Daytona Beaches. There are many “A” rated public and private school options in Orange County. Central Florida also has a variety of affordable housing options and there is no state income tax.
Reporting directly to the President/Chief Executive Officer, the CDO is responsible for providing leadership, vision and direction to the organization, leading staff and volunteers in philanthropic support of annual, capital, and planned giving initiatives, governmental relations and community affairs. The CDO will advance the YMCA’s mission through annual giving, government and foundation grants, endowment bequests, gifts and capital campaigns while building relationships with community members, governmental representatives and potential donors. The ideal candidate displays a high level of professionalism, political savvy and excellent interpersonal skills that reflects the YMCA brand and cause-driven mission. In addition they must have the ability to establish and nurture relationships with major donors, interact with community leaders, key partners, and all levels of staff, volunteers / board members and media.
Success in the role will require strong leadership and relationship building skills, a well-rounded functional skill set, and superior management acumen. The incumbent will be challenged to provide a successful track record in financial development / fundraising with comparable results, including trends in membership / advocacy growth. Significant areas of focus include; $18M Annual Fundraising Goal, Building up to 40,000 Advocates, Leading and Developing Metro Board, Key Partners, Major Funders (Identify, Engage, Solicit, Stewart), Structures the Fund Development Team and Securing Funding for Education/Youth Development and Outreach initiatives.
- Assist the CEO in developing an actively engaged fundraising volunteer board of directors and positions the YMCA of Central Florida as the “Charity of Choice” within the local community.
- Support the YMCA strategic plan through a comprehensive campaign to include annual giving, capital, planned giving and programmatic support.
- Ensure the legacy of the YMCA of Central Florida through a healthy endowment, serving as the lead for the Foundation and Foundation Board.
- Lead a strong Philanthropy Team to strategically cultivate and solicit gifts to benefit Association programs and services.
- Lead community and governmental efforts to strategically cultivate and build partnerships with key members of state and local government and the community as a whole. Defines and executes the YMCA’s community outreach.
- Responsible for initiating and maintaining relationships with strategic businesses and corporations in the Central Florida area. Secures participating support for joint community projects, develops and executes community programs/ initiatives, secures and executes internal fundraising incentives across all centers and directs company’s presence and activities at community events. Is actively involved on community boards and highly visible at community events.
- Lead events, direct special events committee working with volunteers, staff, and vendors, renewing and securing lead sponsors, oversight of program material.
- Work closely with Family Center Directors, members of the Financial Development team and key volunteers to develop and implement and integrated philanthropy plan.
- Ensure implementation of a Relationship Management program Association-wide to build strategies to move donors to higher giving levels.
- Collaborate with CEO and Family Center Executives to identify, cultivate and solicit portfolio of major gift prospects.
- Coordinate major gift requests as needed with Association and Foundation Boards.
- Lead a culture of philanthropy, ensuring engagement, inclusion and ownership.
- Advocate and model inclusion and diversity throughout the Association.
- Develop and maintain key relationships between the YMCA of Central Florida and the community (public and private corporations).
- Create partnerships with government and private sector for programming capital.
- Attend mission, outreach and development committee meetings on a monthly basis.
- Facilitate tours of the YMCA of Central Florida operations to prospective donors and partners.
- Provide opportunities for the Civic and Community Leaders to participate in hosted activates, events and programs.
- Work collectively with the Brand and Cause Advocacy / Marketing team senior leadership to ensure continual exposure of the YMCA vision to the media.
- Operate department budgets to ensure financial stability.
- Serve as a visionary, while partnering to meet the strategic goals of the Association’s vision. Support all of the organizational goals set by the strategic vision. Provide leadership and support for the implementation of tactics required to fulfill strategic objectives.
- Represent the YMCA and maintains appropriate relationships with area organizations, community leaders, and businesses.
- Promote and represent the mission and core values of the YMCA of Central Florida in the Family Center and its programs.
- All other duties assigned by Management.
- Minimum 7-10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in philanthropy, with proven results in campaign development and formidable execution that results in securing major gifts and significant achievements in annual Financial Development/Fundraising efforts.
- Demonstrated experience in successful six/seven figure gift requests preferred.
- Demonstrated experience partnering with key volunteers and boards. Ability to relate to top community leaders and diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the Central Florida community.
- Prior experience and knowledge about the YMCA, either as an employee, a member, a donor or a volunteer, is desirable.
- Proficiency in technology, including Microsoft Office and fundraising tools required.
Along with a highly competitive pay structure, the YMCA of Central Florida provides exceptional benefits which include the following:
- Affordable and quality healthcare (medical, dental, vision options).
- Long Term Disability and Life Insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
- 12% Employer funded retirement plan after two years of service with immediate vesting and the ability to add additional earnings from first day of employment.
- YMCA membership for employee and household.
- Generous paid time off package.
- Exceptional career opportunities with the nation’s most valuable and recognized non-profit brands.
- A challenging and fun work environment with creative, talented and diverse individuals!
The YMCA of Central Florida is a Drug Free Workplace and is committed to the policy of Equal Opportunity prohibiting discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, political affiliation, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status.