Description

Leader Dogs for the Blind , based in Rochester Hills, Michigan, has been making people unstoppable for 80 years, empowering people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel. To learn more about our mission and campus follow the link to our website here.

Why work at Leader Dogs for the Blind?

• Fully remote eligible position

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance after 30 days of employment

• Employer paid life insurance

• Employer paid disability insurance

• 401k with employer match

• Flexible spending account

• Paid time off front loaded on first day of employment

• Annual merit pay increases

• Workout room access

• Dog friendly office

SUMMARY

This position is primarily responsible for engaging and soliciting Lions International donors at the club, district, and leadership levels to achieve a team revenue goal. The Manager of Philanthropy – Lions International Engagement is tasked with independently developing the appropriate strategies for the cultivation and stewardship of donors located in the assigned region (East Coast of the United States and Canada) by serving as Leader Dog for the Blind’s key speaker and organizational representative to Lions donors, supporting Lions events and conventions nationwide, and promoting Lions Club giving to Leader Dog in accordance with our mission, values, and strategic plan.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Proactively initiates, builds, and cultivates relationships with key Lions club donors in assigned region to achieve the expected revenue goal.
• Develops innovative strategies for incentivizing Lions Club giving and increased engagement with the Leader Dog mission and promotes the recognition of all major contributing clubs.
• Independently analyzes giving within assigned region, with a nuanced understanding of individual club and district status, to further strategize methods and activities to reach individual fundraising goals.
• Prepares and delivers presentations to provide insight and updates on Leader Dog’s initiatives for the purpose of engaging and soliciting groups and individuals at the local, state, national, and international level.
• Creates most effective messaging for engaging Lions donors, within parameters of Lions’ communication plan and Leader Dog’s strategic plan.
• Plans strategic Leader Dog representation and information at club meetings, conventions, and Lions special events.
• Serves as one of the organization’s keynote speakers.
• Assists and participates in the stewardship and recognition of all major contributing clubs.
• Collaborates and trains nationwide network of volunteers to promote the mission and fundraise for Leader Dog.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in philanthropy or fundraising, marketing, communications or related field required. Qualified candidates will possess 5 years of progressively responsible professional work, preferably in the philanthropic arena, which includes public speaking. Previous experience in a non-profit setting preferred. Additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement. CFRE preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Willing to join local Lions club within six months of hire and maintain throughout employment.
• Ability to create effective presentations and utilize excellent story telling kills of Leader Dog’s mission to individual donors and large groups in a public setting.
• Proficient in writing donor centric letters and solicitations materials or experience with an annual fund.
• Ability to work independently, be self-directed, and work with little or no supervision.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that will include evenings and weekends.
• Engage and coach volunteers to meet their goals.
• Willing to prepare strategic solicitations and ask people to contribute to the organization.
• Ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of current version Microsoft Office products and the ability to adapt to new technology for work in Raisers Edge or similar database program.
• Possess sound business judgment, exercise professional conduct, understand and follow business ethics and standards, and maintain a high level of confidentiality in all duties.
• May be required to work at Leader Dog’s facility when deemed necessary at the direction of management.
• Must be comfortable with and willing to work around large dogs.
• Must be able to travel independently for frequent daily and overnight trips, whether locally, nationally, or internationally. A valid passport is required for any international travel.
• Willing to perform general public relations duties on behalf of Leader Dog (for example, perform tours, answer general questions, be a professional and courteous representative of Leader Dog, etc.).
• Ability to promote positive teamwork by establishing and maintaining professional, productive, and courteous interactions with employees, as well as with volunteers, donors, clients, and all constituents of Leader Dog. This requirement goes beyond simply giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities that require interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, with or without accommodations. Upon receiving notice, reasonable accommodations may be made, if possible, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to use the phone and may be required to drive. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to ten pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Leader Dogs for the Blind reserves the right to change, amend, add, delete, and otherwise assign any and all duties, responsibilities, and position title as it deems necessary to meet the needs of its business.

Leader Dogs for the Blind is an at-will employer. This means that the employment relationship may be ended at any time without notice by the employer or employee for any reason. Neither this document, nor any manual/policy/handbook issued by Leader Dogs for the Blind, constitutes a contract of employment.