Senior Development Officer

Senior Development Officer

Full-Time, 40 hours per week - Monday to Friday

Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS) is currently seeking a Senior Development Officer (SDO). The SDO will monitor all aspects of external relations initiatives with a focus on the development and execution of a high-touch approach to capitalize on giving opportunities, leverage and upgrade donor giving and involvement, and grow a giving culture at YESS.

What We Do

Based in Edmonton, Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS) provides immediate and low-barrier 24/7 sleep support and individualized wrap-around supports for young people aged 15–24.

We work collaboratively within a network of care focused on the prevention of youth homelessness by providing youth with the necessary supports to stabilize their housing, improve their wellbeing, build life skills, connect with community, and avoid re entry into homelessness.

What You Will Do

Reporting to the Director of Fund Development, the Senior Development Officer will be responsible for possessing an understanding of and enthusiasm for YESS’s mission, philosophy, values and external relations activities. The successful candidate will be a high-achiever with an excellent work ethic, able to work independently, initiate projects and manage their work and time effectively in a small office where team-work, collaboration and flexibility are essential. The SDO will be genuinely passionate, personable, and will be proactive in bringing forward innovative ideas in a clear, articulate and inspiring fashion.

Responsibilities include:

• Effectively manage a portfolio of 125+ active constituents
• Meet or exceed quarterly targets related to securing donations of $25,000+
• Identify potential new prospects for major gifts
• Advance donors through the donor cycle, identifying opportunities to maximize revenue potential for the agency
• Develop and deliver compelling proposals and presentations to support corporate or major gift opportunities
• Develop and manage donor agreements and recognition opportunities in line with agency guidelines
• Manage acknowledgement, recognition, and stewardship activities of donor accounts
• Collaborate with the Fund Development team, to develop strategic plans for the advancement of YESS
• Oversee the implementation of the Service Level Agreement policies
• Develop annual targeting and segmentation and contact plans for direct communication with donors
• Develop & analyze campaign/program-end and year-end statistical reports
• Maintain, manage, and increase Major Gift portfolio as the designated relationship manager
• Uphold the YESS Stewardship Matrix
• Collaborate with community members and agency employees
• Ensure accurate donor information is maintained in CRM in a timely manner
• Meet or exceed quarterly targets related to cultivation activity metrics
• Participate in key events as a representative of YESS
• Actively promote, participate in and be an ambassador of the agency’s fundraising activities and events
  

Develop Personal & Professional Competencies

• Participate in performance management supervisions and ongoing constructive conversations
• Identify and maintain growth in personal and professional competencies
• Participate in YESS identified mandatory training

Other Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service to all YESS stakeholders
• Demonstrate leadership and collaboration when interacting with YESS internal and external Stakeholders
• Promote YESS in a positive manner within the community
• Other responsibilities as required

Additionally, you will provide a professional level of service to donors, promote the agency in a positive manner to the outside community and share information, communicate, and collaborate with other YESS staff.

What You Bring

Education: Degree or Diploma in a related field such as Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Marketing or Communications.

Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of experience working in an active fundraising role or a comparable department, with preference given to those with experience in the not-for-profit sector.

• Experience with donor management and implementing successful revenue generation programs
• Knowledge and familiarity with the Edmonton community and its philanthropic landscape, including and understanding of local businesses, government agencies, and potential funding sources
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other relevant software and CRM database management
  

Equivalencies will be considered.

Preference will be given to those who possess:

• Certified Fund Raising Executive – CFRE (or working towards certification) is considered an asset

Equivalency consideration: Directly related experience or education based on:

1 year of experience for 1 year of education or

1 year of education for 1 year of experience

Prerequisites

• Clear police clearance (CRIM) within the last six months
• Child and Youth Intervention (CYIM) check both obtained within the last six months
• Valid driver’s license
• Drivers abstract within the last three months
• $1 million personal liability vehicle insurance
• Regardless of work location you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved accommodation. Rapid testing will not be accepted as an alternative to vaccination, except individuals who cannot be vaccinated based on medical or other protected grounds outlined in the Alberta Human Rights Act

YESS is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive and safe work environment for people of all backgrounds.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.