Chief Donor Engagement Officer

The Starting Pay Range is $120,000 to $150,000 annually, with the final salary determined by geographic market rate for the selected candidate. We are proud to offer this competitive salary.

This role will work from home (WFH), and can be located in any state within the continental United States where Rise Against Hunger currently operates.

THE CHALLENGE

Rise Against Hunger is on the verge of beginning a new chapter, an exciting phase in our growth, as we work toward the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger by 2030. Our approach is rooted in our 25-year history as an organization that, among other programs, galvanizes volunteers to produce millions of nutritious meals annually for in-country partners around the world. We’ve also developed an ambitious goal for our growth, to implement our pathways to end hunger framework that includes working toward producing 1 billion meals, funding an increasing number of projects that increase local food production and access to food and addressing hunger and poverty from its root causes for a sustainable end to hunger in our lifetime.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Chief Donor Engagement Officer is charged with leading an experienced, high-functioning team to secure the resources and partnerships we need to meet these ambitious goals. Rise Against Hunger anticipates total revenues of $38 million for 2024; the CDEO will ensure high standards for a quality volunteer and donor experience, achieve domestic and international meal production and fundraising goals, generate program growth, manage staff across 20+ US locations, and events in US and international locations. Additionally, the CDEO will develop fundraising strategies using an outcome-based approach with existing partners and to engage more individuals, convert volunteers to donors, and grow large corporate supporters. This position is also a key member of the Executive Leadership team that digs deeply into issues of strategic importance, builds a high trust culture through open-honest two-way communication, and succeeds by relying on each other's expertise and daily collaboration between their functions.

THE IDEAL PROFILE

The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated experience building and growing comprehensive donor engagement programs with a team of dedicated professionals. The CDEO will also have strengths in strategically growing contributed revenue, providing inspired leadership and an eye for operational resourcefulness and efficiency. This Chief Donor Engagement Officer will be a creative entrepreneur who is comfortable in an environment that requires high-level strategic planning combined with hands-on execution to deepen engagement with existing supporters and will lead the team in broadening our engagement with organizations and individuals who have not yet participated in Rise Against Hunger’s powerful, hands-on volunteer experiences.

A servant-leader focused on developing staff talent, the CDEO will ensure high standards for a quality volunteer and donor experience, achieve domestic and international meal production and fundraising goals, generate program growth, manage staff across 20+ US locations, and events in US and international locations.

This position is meant for a true player/coach in the fundraising (or sales) arena – someone who has been highly successful in engaging and closing through one-on-one conversations, and who can translate those successes into modeling and coaching a team to work a similar relationship-building and results-oriented new business development.

Key aspects of the ideal candidate include:

A globally-aware leader with a passion for making the world better – someone who has worked or lived internationally, or sought out exposure to different people and cultures, igniting a fire to work toward change. This person channels that passion with a strong sense of optimism that even big change is possible, and feels a personal calling to have an even greater impact in this phase of their career.

A deep appreciation for nonprofit culture – understanding that the work we do is serious and that everyone is working incredibly hard to create a lasting impact.

A leader in sales or business development – or in fundraising through one-on-one engagements (whether from a staff or board role). This is someone who enjoys telling a great story, listening and engaging with empathy, being bold in making asks, and persisting to get results – with a track record of leading a team to success for over seven years. In particular, the right candidate has done these things in an entrepreneurial environment, putting effective systems in place that build a culture of data-driven decision-making and performance management, and creating an exciting vision and strategy for the team to follow.

A mentality of coaching and servant leadership – which means prioritizing the sense of team at all levels, while also leading the team by listening, coaching, and empowering them to solve problems and take on greater challenges, to invest in their growth. This is a person who has also prioritized their own personal and professional development and has a lifelong commitment to learning and seeking out feedback.

A silo-buster – who has helped build bridges between teams (and even within them), and knows how to navigate between advocating for their own team, and keeping the larger organizational vision as the highest priority. This person may have gained perspective from leading other functional teams in the past, such as marketing, sales, development, or operations; or has served as an Executive Director or business owner and has seen all the elements at play.

A partnership orientation – with a deep knowledge that we are better together, rather than in competition. This person has created opportunities for mutual partnership between seemingly conflicting groups and is energized by the hard work of collaboration. This is someone who may have played a role in shifting corporate or institutional funding (and culture) into a true partnership model, working toward a common goal.

A love of navigating change – the ideal candidate is someone who thrives in a changing environment, and in helping their team adapt and adjust – in a calm and strategic way. This person has been in high-growth organizations and enjoys helping them mature to handle new levels of complexity and vision.

RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS

The Chief Donor Engagement Officer is responsible for strengthening a social enterprise fundraising strategy and process that engages and maximizes a portfolio of donors (individual, faith-based groups, and corporations) and for providing leadership, direction, and coaching to the team to achieve over $38 million in revenue. This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rise Against Hunger and oversees a team of 7-12 direct staff and indirectly manages a team of 50-100 staff members who are based around the country. The specific responsibilities of this role fall into these primary areas

Strategic Fundraising Leadership (30%)- formulation and achievement of the goals and initiatives for Donor Engagement (DE) in support of organizational goals

• Ensure annual revenue goals are set and met to meet the growing, global, missional impacts of the organization — including responsibility for Board of Directors giving
• Model fundraising success by leading and co-leading a portfolio of the organization’s funding partners and/or high-potential funding partner prospects
• Guide annual, strategic growth of contributed revenue to the organization and serve as primary visionary for fundraising strategy
• Set and lead strategy for our Donor Engagement team — including the organization’s priority of growing the movement through volunteer-to-donor conversion success
• Lead the Donor Engagement Director team in developing and executing on the operational strategy to support organizational goals
• Ensure regions deliver on the Organization’s commitments internally and to partners through achieving production, revenue and market growth goals, overall
• Collaborate closely with the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer to align objectives, enhance communication and create a unified organization approach to generating revenue
• Collaborate across functional groups, as needed, coordinating with the appropriate management-level resources to ensure adequate support of Donor Engagement
• Collaborate with People Operations on workforce planning in advance of the annual budgeting cycle
• Collaborate with Finance on annual revenue projections and monthly tracking of financial goals and accounts receivable
• Develop with input from reporting Directors a stewardship plan that strengthens relationships with donors, emphasizes the organization’s mission and impact, and grows donor engagement and investment to the mission.
• Support fundraising success for the team by developing and enhancing processes within the Donor Engagement department

People Management & Development (30%)- responsible for leading and coaching Donor Engagement Directors to improve capability, capacity and in support of their professional growth and development

• Guide strategic growth of contributed revenue to the organization; serve as a high-level visionary while also managing tactical implementation of strategic goals.
• Cultivate relationships and giving from high net worth individuals; drive increased individual giving revenue while also leading a dispersed team.
• Own a small number of high-level prospects and/or current donors, to contribute to the overall revenue goal, and to model for the team.
• Conduct prospect research, analysis and strategy. Plan and strategize about prospect predisposition and visits, including engaging leadership, board members and supporters as needed.
• Visit with prospects and make asks, sometimes leading, and sometimes supporting.
• Manage prospect follow-up activities, coordinating with the team to close gifts.

Operational Efficiency & Cost Management (20%)- responsible for developing effective and efficient processes across all DE to deliver a consistent experience while working within budget

• Develop an annual budget and forecast. Monitor budget and work closely with CFO on updates to forecast. Provide coaching and direction where needed to active financial targets on budget.
• Develop and lead the implementation of strategic initiatives to enhance efficiency and performance
• Build strong relationships with internal support teams, to ensure effective tools are in place, such as CRM databases, and financial tracking, budgeting, and forecasting
• Collaborate to develop and implement programs, utilizing volunteers, when possible,  to support the DE staff and offset temporary labor needs
• Effectively manage annual expense budget of approximately $1.2 million
• Drive the full utilization of CRM Platforms to eliminate duplicate tracking and reporting of data
• Use a data focused approach to guide operational decisions
• Assess operational efficiency and implement improvements, as needed

Executive Team (10%) – serves as a valued member of the Executive Team and provides cross-collaborative participation in organizational planning and execution

• Participate in strategic planning and budgeting toward Rise Against Hunger’s vision and future goals
• Support communication and change management of organizational programs, policies, and procedures
• Participate in weekly team meetings and Board meetings as needed
• Work in business partnership to address and drive forward organization priorities, our business model and operations
• Represent the organization in public forums, develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including donors and peer organizations,to advance the organization mission and goals.

Communication & Change Management (10%) - responsible for leading the implementation and effective communication of all DE processes, policies, procedures, etc.

• Co-develop communication and implementation plans for all DE initiatives to ensure consistency across all regions in the delivery and quality of Meal Packing Experiences (MPEs).
• Co-lead the development of Donor Engagement’s new hire and ongoing training programs to support skill development and consistency across regions.

TRAVEL

This position requires extensive travel within the US ~ 10-20% and some international travel. Must be able to work a flexible schedule including frequent weekends and some evenings. Ability to accommodate overnight travel as needed with some lasting a few days away from home.

Company Overview

Rise Against Hunger is growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives and responding to emergencies. Our organization’s approach to ending hunger centers on mobilizing a global network of hunger champions. Rise Against Hunger meal packaging volunteers produce millions of nutritious meals annually that are then distributed to partners in countries around the world.

Rise Against Hunger is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a workplace without discrimination and harassment of any kind. All candidates will receive equal consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, or protected veteran or disabled status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

The ideal candidate will possess most of the following qualifications:  

• A Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university

• Proven progressively responsible fundraising experience combined 
• Minimum 10 years of business development, sales management, and/or fundraising experience
• Proven experience cultivating and securing major donors across high net worth individuals, corporations and /or groups of faith
• Minimum of 7 years of experience successfully leading and developing teams across remote locations
• Minimum of 3 years experience working in or leading a non-profit organization
• Strong work ethic and contagious energy to motivate and inspire teams
• Experience working in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems (e.g. Salesforce) 
• A history of building and/or growing sustainable, comprehensive development programs
• Proven sales leadership experience
• The ability to develop strategy and to implement that strategy toward tangible, ongoing and sustainable revenue goals
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills, comfortable speaking in front of large groups
• Entrepreneurial, creative, and flexible work style capable of thriving within a dynamic and growing organization
• A commitment to continuous learning and enthusiasm for self-assessment; a willingness to adjust strategy as needed to work most effectively toward goals
• Collaborative, communicative, and self-motivated leader; comfort working in an organization with geographically dispersed staff

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification
• Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) or equivalent 
• international experience in for-profit or NGO environment
• Contract management experience
• Strong computer skills with knowledge of Google products, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Hubspot, Salesforce, etc 
• Tech savvy to be able to easily pick up additional software programs

KEY COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

• Business Insight - Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals.
• Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Courage - Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.
• Drives engagement - Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.
• Drives Results - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Ensures Accountability - Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Manages Ambiguity - Operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.
• Organizational savvy - Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics.
• Plans & Aligns - Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals
• Strategic mindset - Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• Resourcefulness - Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
• Values Differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
  

Rise Against Hunger employees can rest easy knowing that their medical, vision and dental insurance premium is on us, along with 65% of their family’s insurance premium. We sweeten the deal with an employer-funded Health Savings Account, to which you can always contribute more to if you like. Our health plan provides support for your physical and mental health including telemedicine.

Along with our health benefits, we also offer Discretionary Paid Time Off (DPTO), which allows our employees to take vacation and health time as they see fit to find harmony between life and work. We offer flexible work schedules and Paid Family Medical Leave to support bonding with your child after birth, adoption or foster placement and during serious health conditions.

Employees are also provided life insurance and long-term disability benefits. Saving for retirement? Don’t worry. We offer a pre- and post-tax 403(b) plan with employer matching of 100% up to the first 3% you contribute to help you save for retirement.