Development Director

TITLE: Director of Development

STATUS: Full-time, exempt

MANAGER: Chief External Affairs Officer

Background

New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI, or NO-kee) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that educates a diverse community of learners to sustain an ever-evolving hospitality industry. We offer a platform for professional and personal growth, increasing access, and minimizing barriers to career pathways while supporting the promotion and economic development of the culinary arts and hospitality industry.

The Director of Development is responsible for formulating and implementing strategic fundraising activities to garner support for the operational, capital and endowment needs of the Institute. Fundraising goals and activities include solicitation, management, and stewardship of 1) individual gifts, 2) corporate gifts and sponsorships, 3) grants, 4) capital/matching gift campaigns, and 5) special events in collaboration with the Chief External Affairs Officer, Executive Director, and Board of Directors.

The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven, strategic fundraiser who understands how philanthropy, industry partnerships, and workforce development intersect in a city where culinary and hospitality are both economic engines and cultural cornerstones. The candidate will have a spirit of hospitality and passion for and keen interest in NOCHI’s mission and the culinary and hospitality industry.

This is a 40-hour weekly position based daily on campus at NOCHI.

KEY DUTIES AND TASKS:

Development Plan/Execution + Budget

• Plan and implement a comprehensive development plan, which includes raising annual operating support, scholarship support, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, endowment gifts, and capital gifts.

• Actively identifies and cultivates relationships with current and potential donors and local and national corporate and foundation supporters.

• Participates in soliciting major donors, both directly and by facilitating relationships with the Executive Director, Chief External Affairs Officer, and Board of Directors.

• Creates and implements a plan for prospect management and research, development communications, and donor relations.

• Promotes a culture of giving and gratitude across all constituencies through best practice stewardship and communication.

• Carefully plans and manages the Development Budget in collaboration with the Finance department.

Event Management

• Plans and implements NOCHI’s annual fundraising gala Cooking for a Cause (CFAC) in coordination with the co-chairs, Executive Director, and Chief External Affairs Officer.

• Creates an annual budget for CFAC to ensure the expected gross profit margin is in line with industry standards (20%-25%).

• Solicits, secures, and manages event sponsorships in partnership with the CFAC committee/volunteers.

• Manage sponsor relations and ensure deliverables including benefits, recognition, reporting and communications.

• Solicits, secures, and manages the CFAC auction in collaboration with CFAC committee/auction volunteers.

• Manages online auction partner, OneCause.

• Manages the distribution of auction items to bidders. Coordinates and tracks redemptions.Grants

• Manages NOCHI’s grant writer to ensure grant reports and proposals are completed in a timely manner.

• Ensures effective coordination between the grant writer and other departments, as necessary.

• Manages grant deliverables including benefits, recognition, reporting, and communications.

Donor Software

• Manages and ensures the maintenance of donor records in the donor management software (Neon).

• Processes gifts and gift acknowledgements in a timely manner.

• Prepares monthly fundraising reports on progress toward fundraising goals and activities.

• Creates and tracks metrics to analyze contributions and giving trends and to gauge and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of fundraising activities.

• Supervises the appropriate use of donor software and reporting, ensuring donor privacy, data accuracy and timeliness of reporting.

ROLE-BASED COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field of study.

• Minimum of 3 years, 5+ years preferred, of experience in major gift work and/or nonprofit development work.

• Capacity to manage annual budgets of $1 million+.

• Experience in multi-million-dollar capital/matching gift campaigns is a plus.

• Proven record of securing major gifts and meeting fundraising goals.

• Proven success collaborating with board leadership and volunteers.

• Grant management experience.

• Fiscal and personnel management experience.

• Excellent writing and presentation skills and use of communications and data technologies.

• Superior organization, prioritization, and self-motivation skills.

• Critical attention to detail.

• Ability to work evenings/weekends for donor engagement and NOCHI events, as necessary.

• Ability to represent the organization in a professional, positive manner.

• Ability to adapt to changing assignments and multiple priorities.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and successfully meet deadlines.

CULTURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to interact effectively either as a leader or as a member of a team and work collaboratively with other groups.

• An appreciation for and understanding of diverse audiences and communities.

• A spirit of hospitality and passion for and keen interest in NOCHI’s mission and the culinary and hospitality industry.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE + SKILL SET

• Proficiency in Neon or similar CRM software.

• Proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite, Google Applications, and Google Drive.