Development Director

About the role and objectives:

The Development Director will grow income, donors, public, foundations and corporate support, working closely with senior leadership, campaigns, public relations and social teams. You are passionate and well organized, good knowledge of Raiser’s Edge and Engaging Networks and other IT tools, marketing and databases to help secure funds for nonprofits.

You will secure funding for every aspect of ADI’s work, including:

• Campaigns, education, research, investigations
• Rescue and relocations of animals, and funding for the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa, home to our residents rescued from circuses, zoos, wildlife trade and cruelty cases

You will be required to plan and execute effective strategies for:

• Planned giving, supporter engagement, social media, digital/printed appeals
• Gifts from estates, corporate support, and grants from foundations
• Digital and printed appeals
• Events and media, working with media team
• Major projects, such as the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary veterinary center, resident care center, visitor and education centers

Responsibilities include:

• Management and oversight of daily development operations; workflow; data entry; donor communications; income tracking; reports, analytics, etc., using Raiser’s Edge NXT and Engaging Networks; interface with financial database and records.
• Reporting: monthly, quarterly, annual reports
• Oversee mailings, print/electronic, distribution, recording, responses, data management.
• Annual development plan, targets, fundraising calendar; growth, engagement, retention, appeals; major gifts, planned giving, foundations & trusts, corporate, estates; events, publicity. Targets for annual, quarterly, monthly income.
• Writing, drafting, editing copy for letters, newsletters, emails, social media, publications and internal reports.
• Grant Applications, foundations, corporate: Identify, plan, approach, draft grant applications/letters of inquiry and collateral for foundations, trusts, corporate partnerships, major donor gifts, etc.
• Liaison with high donors, foundations, estates, corporate donors, sponsors.
• Publications, Social, Websites, Online & Print (with campaigns/PR teams):
  • Drafting copy, editing; collateral, visuals; annual, quarterly; other publications
  • Production, print, online– liaison with external graphic designers
  • Websites – contribute content and website development
  • Advertising, marketing, ADI YouTube channel – research, develop online fundraising and marketing activities and opportunities
  • Social media posts – contribute copy and graphics
  • E-News alerts to supporters, weekly (collaboration with PR Director)

Qualifications and Required Skills:

The successful candidate will have a significant career track record in development and an understanding of the animal protection sector. You will secure funding for both long-term objectives and short-term emergency funding.

• You are goal-driven and can plan and deliver programs for funding ADI’s work, e.g., regular and planned giving, major gifts, estates, foundations, corporate support, as well as marketing and campaign fundraising.
• Working with senior leadership, you will lead the fundraising and marketing strategy for ADI and the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa.
• You have good time management and organizational skills; multi-tasking, budgets; you will manage costs and deadlines.
• You have excellent knowledge of Raiser’s Edge NXT, Engaging Networks, and good digital skills, e.g. MS Office suite, and use of online research services (AI not permitted for writing).
• Educated to degree level or equivalent (or relevant experience)
• With excellent written English, you will create well-researched, impactful and persuasive content.
• Plant-based lifestyle preferred.

Reports to: ADI President and Vice President (founders)