Assistant Director for External Relations

Description

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, is searching for an Assistant Director for External Relations. This position reports to the Vice President for External Relations and assists with database management, gift processing, stewardship, fundraising, campaign planning, programming, and board relations. The position is based in Lexington, Virginia.

Founded in 1914, on the campus of Washington and Lee University, Omicron Delta Kappa has more than 320,000 living addressable members. Active circles (chapters) are currently located on more than 300 campuses.

This is a full-time position which may require some evening and weekend work as well as travel.

QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor’s degree is required. Two to three years of development or advancement services experience is preferred. An understanding of database segmentation, prospect identification, and professional fundraising experience is strongly preferred. Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including a strong ability to write clearly and effectively, are essential. An understanding of the importance of building on-going relationships between the organization and its members, donors, and friends is required.

Job Duties

Database Management and Gift Processing (35%)

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date gift history, contact information, and other relevant data about constituents including members, volunteers, and circle contacts.
• Work with Financial Services Coordinator to reconcile or resolve any donation/gift issues that may arise as well as provide information to financial staff, auditors, and others as necessary.
• Process gifts to the organization in a timely manner.
• Proactively maintain the integrity of the database including evaluation for needed information, problems, and updates.
• Create and produce bi-weekly and monthly management reports from database to monitor progress (financial results, giving patterns, fundraising progress, prospect moves); identify weaknesses and opportunities; and assist in financial forecasting.
• Update database with NCOA updates from printers and run quarterly updates.
• Generate lists and information as requested for various uses including electronic lists, e-newsletters, Nationwide or other partner agencies, etc.
• Input award winners, volunteer roles, and event attendees into donor database.
• Utilize database, assist in the evaluation of potential new database platforms, and keep current in advancement technology.
• Supervise student assistants who assist with data updates and research functions.

Stewardship and Donor Relations (20%)

• Devise and execute systems to assure timely, accurate, and appropriate donor stewardship including thank you letters, honor/memorial notification, etc. Research and draft special correspondence for donors as directed, for the signature of the President/CEO.
• Develop pledge routing sheets for new pledges; record pledges in Raiser’s Edge; produce monthly pledge reports, and generate pledge reminders as needed.
• Assist with development, distribution, and mailing of donor greetings such as birthday, holiday, sympathy, and congratulations cards.
• Coordinate additional stewardship for first-time and special donors.
• Assist the Vice President for External Relations with development of annual endowed fund and general activity reports to donors.
• Coordinate mailing from the Board Chair with select members including significant volunteer leaders, donors, and prospects.
• Maintain and produce subscribers listing for The Circle.
• Respond to general inquiries about giving from donors and prospective donors.
• Prepare and edit Honor Roll of Donors list for The Circle.

Program Administration (20%)

• Maintain current knowledge base of fundraising best practices relating to this position.
• Order letterhead and other supplies as necessary.
• Assist with travel arrangements for the Board of Trustees, the President/CEO, and the Vice President for External Relations.
• Coordinate renewal process for state charity registration.
• Provide administrative support for the organization’s comprehensive campaign.
• Develop and maintain governing board section of website and provide administrative oversight of board management portal.
• Manage authorization of access to LinkedIn Group for O∆K, and use LinkedIn data for issuing member congratulations and professional information updates.
• Provide clerical support to the Scholarship Review and Selection Committee including solicitation of applications, organizing applications and online folders, arranging scoring, and responding to inquiries.

Direct Mail Support (15%)

• Work with Vice President for External Relations and the Assistant Director for Communications and Annual Giving to develop, design, and produce effective prospect segmenting strategies to enhance direct mail and other solicitations.
• Prepare mail lists with giving strings and manage interaction with printers to insure timely mailing of solicitations.

Prospect Research (10%)

• Create donor profiles for event attendees to distribute to leadership prior to events.
• Research corporate and foundation prospects and assist with proposal development.
• Develop prospect profiles for major gift prospects.
• Conduct regular wealth screenings with Raiser’s Edge Target Analytics and other tools.
• Identify prospects through gift entry by long-term commitment, increased giving, etc.

Perform other duties as requested relating to the advancement and support of Omicron Delta Kappa.

Skills Required

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

High proficiency in the following areas:

• Knowledge of constituent management systems
• Ability to communication clearly and effectively in writing and orally
• Skill in collecting and analyzing complex data with attention to detail
• Ability to analyze and prepare documents, reports, and correspondence

Personal characteristics

The Assistant Director for External Relations should demonstrate competence in some or all of the following:

• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices. Ensure behavior is consistent with these standards and align with the values of the organization.
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communicate Effectively: Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions, which are timely, and in the best interests of the organization.
• Organization: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details using data and information management tools.
• Plan: Set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Work Schedule

M-F, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Additional Info

To apply, please submit a cover letter outlining interest in the position, related experience, and salary expectations, resume, and list of three references by Friday, June 14, 2019 to Ms. Katy Datz, Vice President for External Relations, Omicron Delta Kappa, 224 McLaughlin Street, Lexington, VA 24450. Materials may be submitted electronically at katy@odk.org. Omicron Delta Kappa offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, paid sick and vacation days, and retirement contributions.

The salary range for the Assistant Director for External Relations is $32,000 – $34,000 a year (commensurate based on experience) plus full benefits including life, dental, and health insurance and retirement contributions. Professional development opportunities are available as negotiated. Personnel at Omicron Delta Kappa’s national headquarters have free parking and access to recreation and library facilities at Washington and Lee University.