Director of Development: Philadelphia Outward Bound School

Outward Bound is an international educational movement dedicated to the belief that people are capable of far more than they know. Founded in 1992, the mission of the Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS) is to change lives through challenge and discovery. POBS serves PA, NJ and DE and is one of 9 regional Outward Bound schools.A robust non-profit educational organization, in 2024 POBS engaged over 7,000 participants (youth and adults) in experiential education programs that inspire character development, leadership and service. Every Outward Bound program is built around a progression of activities, within a day or over multiple days, that delivers powerful life lessons by encouraging participants to safely and confidently step outside of their comfort zones, while engaging in spectacular natural environments.

POBS currently has a $3.5M annual budget, of which just over 50% is contributed. The balance is earned through tuition and fees for service.

SUMMARY

The Director of Development is a key member of the senior leadership team. Working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees, they are responsible for setting and achieving annual fundraising goals. They have a strong track record in creating and managing an annual fundraising plan, including events and grants, and demonstrated success in achieving results; cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors; supervising a small staff; and engaging and supporting board and committee members to be effective ambassadors and networkers. Familiarity with the local funding community and with Outward Bound (or eagerness to experience programs first-hand) are important for success in the role.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Work with colleagues and key stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees, to promote a culture of philanthropy and help build fundraising skills within the organization;
  • Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop and implement POBS’s short term and long-range financial and strategic plans;
  • Create annual fundraising plan with goal to double current annual raise of $2M from corporations, foundations, events, government, and individuals for operating, capital projects, and special initiative support;
  • Be responsible for setting and achieving annual fundraising goals;
  • Prioritize major individual donors and work with current and emeritus board members and other ambassadors to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects;
  • Manage own portfolio of major donors, and help keep Executive Director and board and committee members on track to meet engagement goals for their own portfolios;
  • Plan and manage all major fundraising initiatives and events, including biannual “Building Adventure” peer-to-peer fundraising rappel and annual donor appeals;
  • Create planned giving strategy to promote and facilitate legacy gifts;
  • Monitor and report regularly to colleagues and the board on the progress of annual and long-range fundraising;
  • Assess and recommend staffing and consulting structures required to meet goals; supervise and mentor 1-2 direct reports.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Represent POBS at external events and donor visits;
  • Engage with peer network within the OB system, and in the local nonprofit community;
  • With financial staff/consultants, track and report on restricted/released funds;
  • Other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

  • Passionate about POBS’s mission and core values;
  • Visionary, collaborative, and dedicated professional with a successful track record of providing strategic direction and operational management of fundraising initiatives;
  • Experience with prospect research, donor cultivation, program design, and grant writing with demonstrated success securing individual, institutional, and event support;
  • Excellent writing and public speaking skills;
  • Familiarity creating all donor communications, including direct mail, newsletters, brochures, and social media;
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills; success in cultivating strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders; collaborative and team-oriented approach to getting results;
  • Ability to manage budgets; develop business plans; use Salesforce effectively; create reports, analyses, and dashboards; and conduct performance evaluations.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

  • 7+ years of experience in fundraising;
  • Supervisory skills, along with ability to work hands-on with small team;
  • Bachelor’s degree required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

  • Salary commensurate with experience (range $90,000 – $120,000);
  • Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Short-Term Disability insurance; Paid Time Off; and 401(k) retirement plan;
  • Opportunities for professional development.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Please send a cover letter and resume to jennis@pobs.org. Materials will be reviewed as they are received.