Director Of Leadership & Advancement

Network Engagement & Advancement Pipeline (approx. 40%)
● Develop and implement the relationship-management and moves management plan for Rising Stars, Career Women of Achievement (CWA) and scholarship recipient networks, including follow-up after events, in partnership with the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and Director of Development.
● Create intentional pathways for network members to deepen their involvement with YWCA as donors, volunteers, mentors, advocates, ambassadors, corporate connectors, and committee or Board members.
● Identify and qualify prospective donors, corporate partners and sponsors emerging from the networks; generate warm introductions; and hand off qualified relationships to the CDO or Director of Development. Remain involved in cultivation and stewardship where the leadership-network relationship is important.
● Serve as the primary relationship manager for Rising Stars, CWA and scholarship network members who are not yet donors or whose annual giving is below $1,000, with a focus on engagement, first gifts, renewal and upgrade readiness.
● When a network member reaches the $1,000 giving level, shows capacity or interest in a larger commitment, or is otherwise identified as a leadership-level prospect, transition primary ownership to the Director of Development (or to the CDO or President & CEO for prospects identified for major gift cultivation) according to agreed handoff criteria. Remain involved as the program and network relationship partner.
● Record sourced by credit in Raisers Edge for introductions and first gifts originating in the networks, so results can be reported without double counting.
● Serve as the key relationship manager for CWA honorees and alumni, and develop communication and stewardship tactics, including re-engagement strategies for lapsed alumni, in partnership with Development and Communications.
● Support the CDO and Event Co-Chairs with the Career Women of Achievement award nomination process by building a pipeline of prospective nominees from YWCA networks and providing strategic insight to the Nominating Committee, in coordination with the Director of Development.
● Integrate this work with the Womens Leadership Continuum member pipeline plan so that Rising Stars, CWA and scholarship participants are connected across programs.
● Share responsibility for an annual revenue goal for network-based giving, sponsorship and leadership-program support, set with the CDO and Director of Development. In 2027, establish baselines for alumni engagement, donor participation, retention and dollars raised; set annual targets from those baselines.
● Track and report qualified prospects, introductions, proposals and gifts sourced or influenced by the networks, using a consistent attribution method agreed upon with the CDO and Director of Development.

Rising Stars & Leadership Programs (approx. 25%)
● Provide strategic direction for the Rising Stars Award, Networks and Leadership Program, including recruitment, nomination, selection, orientation and the participant experience, with an emphasis on corporate and community participation.
● Work with Training Consultants, volunteers and Committee Co-Chairs to plan and evaluate curriculum informed by equity and leadership trends and best practices.
● Plan, attend and facilitate Rising Stars roundtables, leadership sessions and other program events.
● Establish goals and measures of success for participant experience, program outcomes, corporate participation and alumni engagement; develop and manage the Rising Stars budget.
● Produce and promote the directory of nonprofit board opportunities and other engagement opportunities with YWCA.
● Support the CWA nomination process by building a pipeline of prospective nominees from YWCA networks and providing strategic insight to the Nominating Committee, in coordination with the CDO and Director of Development.

Scholarship Programs – Mamie Earl Sells & Charlotte R. Schmidlapp (approx. 15%)
● Provide day-to-day management of the Mamie Earl Sells and Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Scholarship programs, ensuring each is administered in accordance with program guidelines and donor intent.
● Manage the application, review and selection cycles, including timelines, applicant communications, committee materials and award notifications; serve as primary staff liaison to the selection committees.
● Coordinate with program staff on the Schmidlapp applicant pipeline, including applicants current or previous participation in YWCA programs.
● Partner with the Finance Department to ensure timely and accurate scholarship disbursements and documentation.
● Serve as the main point of contact for scholarship recipients and alumni; partner with Communications to share recipient stories, photos and interviews (with permission); and create opportunities for continued involvement with YWCA.

Data, CRM & Reporting (approx. 10%)
● With the Director of Development and Development Coordinator, define the future-state data collected on network members (interests, affinities, employer and corporate relationships, engagement and giving) and bring priority network records to an agreed completeness standard.
● Follow and help develop the CRM data-entry and moves management SOP; document meaningful interactions and next steps in Raisers Edge in a timely manner.
● Produce regular reports and a dashboard for the CDO on network engagement, pipeline and revenue; contribute to the Board dashboard.
● Primary relationship ownership for each donor and prospect is recorded in Raisers Edge. Ownership is assigned by giving level and stage, as agreed with the CDO, and reviewed annually to reflect changes in donor engagement or capacity.

Board, Advocacy & Cross-Departmental Partnership (approx. 10%)
● Support the CDO and Development Chair in engaging Board members to make introductions and conduct peer-to-peer outreach through the Rising Stars and CWA networks, and track participation for Board reporting.
● Support implementation of the Advocacy Plan, as outlined by the Strategic Plan, by helping the CDO and Chief Program Officer activate network members for advocacy calls to action, and track participation.
● Create volunteer pathways for leadership-network members in coordination with the Director of Development and Development Coordinator, who lead the organization-wide volunteer program.
● Build relationships with corporate partners that participate in Rising Stars, CWA and volunteering, and refer philanthropic and sponsorship opportunities to the Director of Development.
● Represent YWCA at corporate, civic and community events as an ambassador for YWCAs womens leadership initiatives.

Qualifications

Education/Experience
Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in leadership development, alumni or constituent engagement, advancement, or program leadership.
Experience designing and managing leadership, alumni, membership or scholarship programs, including working with volunteer committees and consultants.
Demonstrated success building relationships with corporate executives, community leaders and other external stakeholders.
Fundraising, sponsorship or other relationship-based revenue experience strongly preferred.
Proficient with Microsoft Office; experience with Raisers Edge or another CRM preferred.
Skills/Specialized Knowledge/Abilities
Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills, with the executive presence to engage corporate executives, community leaders, Board members, donors and volunteers.
Ability to design leadership-development programs and build engagement pathways that turn participation into measurable advancement outcomes.
Strong facilitation, communication and project-management skills, including budget management and balancing multiple priorities.
Sound judgment regarding relationship ownership and confidentiality; ability to use CRM data to guide decisions.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with individuals of all backgrounds, and to reflect the YWCA mission to empower women and eliminate racism.