Director of Development

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) is seeking an inaugural Director of Development to build our fundraising infrastructure, results and team; and lead our $100M Unite With Ukraine campaign to help Ukrainian civilians whose homes and livelihood have been devasted by Russia's war on Ukraine.

Headquartered in Canada, the UWC is a non-governmental organization that advances the voice of Ukrainians living inside and outside the Ukraine, with global reach in over 60 countries. Russia's war on Ukraine commenced in February 2022, creating an urgent role for the UWC to provide critical humanitarian and other supports to the people of Ukraine. Thousands of lives have already been lost and over six million Ukrainians have been displaced as a result of Russia's war on Ukraine. The $100M campaign hopes to provide Ukrainian civilians with the resources and the necessities they need to live safely and with proper medical care and equipment while defending their homes, families and livelihoods. Launched to support the funding of non-lethal equipment such as protective gear to help ordinary Ukrainians in the Civil Defense Force, the campaign has expanded to include other humanitarian supports and strategic initiatives that are core to the UWC's mission.

While a philanthropic goal of $100 million USD is unprecedented for the UWC, our fundraising draws on the Congress's international footprint along with the support of well-known philanthropists, esteemed public figures and thousands of donors. To realize this ambitious target, the UWC will require a team of development professionals with skill sets across a wide range of fundraising disciplines. Led by the Director of Development, the team will work collaboratively with the volunteer culture that is already embedded within the organization to expand the current pipeline towards principal and major gifts as well as bequests,
while simultaneously creating inspired cultivation and stewardship strategies that build engagement with donors and the greater community.

Reporting into the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Development will be a senior member of the UWC executive team. Working collaboratively with the CEO, UWC Executive Committee and Board of Directors, the new Director of Development will lead the preparation of campaign strategic plans, annual development business plans, and fundraising cases for support while also working with senior volunteers to move donors and prospects through the fundraising cycle. A self starter who is committed to justice and passionate about our mission to serve the Ukrainian people, the new Director is a builder with strategic vision who will advance the fundraising program and implement the required resources and infrastructure; to exponentially grow the UWC's financial resources and overall impact.

This is a critical time in the UWC's history providing the new Director with an opportunity to make an important social and humanitarian impact and create a legacy that has the power to impact the livelihoods of millions of people across the globe.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop the annual business plan for the department setting the fundraising strategic direction in support of approved fundraising priorities in alignment with the strategic goals of UWC.

• Create and manage the department operating budget, approve expenditures in accordance with UWC accounting policies; and liaise with external vendors and consultants in the delivery of the annual development program.

• Build the overall culture of philanthropy at UWC to develop fundraising as a core competency that is defined by professionalism, support of donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and recognition, adherence to principles of transparency and the pursuit of measurable goals.

• Serve as the "Chief Development Officer" and campaign director, delivering strategic oversight of all revenue streams with direct responsibility for all principal gift strategies and seven-figure major gift negotiations while managing the Unite with Ukraine campaign.

• Work collaboratively with senior leadership, volunteers and external partners on the preparation of campaign strategic plans, annual plans, and fundraising cases for support.

• Build the donor pipeline and ensure prospects and donors are moving through all stages of the fundraising cycle in a strategic and timely manner.

• Introduce principal and major gift fundraising through staff expertise that can manage long-term relationships and design complex gift structures to support the goals of the Unite with Ukraine campaign.

• Introduce leadership annual giving to bridge the donor pipeline between the annual fund and major gift fundraising.

• Support the solicitation of unrestricted donations through the annual fund campaign.

• Manage a portfolio of 7-figure plus gifts, the development of new prospects and donor relationships.

• Ensure that donor-facing fundraisers are fully supported through research, stewardship and
communications services.

• Build systematic donor stewardship practises through a dedicated donor relations position that advances the donor life cycle from annual giving to major gift fundraising.

• Build core competencies in fundraising communications to support the crafting of strategic narratives that inspire philanthropic investments.

• Manage strategic partnerships with other organizations as they support the UWC's fundraising objectives.

People

• Recruit a team of professional staff with diverse skills across a range of key development functions.

• Manage a team of fundraising, research and communications professionals to realize annual and campaign fundraising targets.

• Manage, motivate, monitor and mentor staff as required.

• Recruit, train and support development committee and individual volunteers.

• Support the Executive Director and the senior team of volunteers in the delivery of UWC's fundraising strategies.

• Work with the UWC President, Executive Director, and other senior volunteers in the cultivation and solicitation of prospective donors.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Progressive senior leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector, or relevant experience in the corporate sector.

• Proven track record in all aspects of revenue development, including pipeline development and the solicitation and management of gifts at the six and seven figure level.

• Demonstrated ability to align strategic and philanthropic plans to promote, support and meet the revenue deliverables.

• Significant experience building fundraising infrastructure including policies, processes and metrics that contribute to revenue growth.

• Proven history building and managing successful teams with demonstrated success creating team engagement and alignment to leverage collective strengths and motivating staff to meet fundraising goals.

• Demonstrated comfort level and success supporting senior volunteers with fundraising activities.

• Excellent communicator with the ability to influence, persuade and motivate. Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to constructively contribute to discussions and build rapport at all levels within an organization.

• Proven relationship building skills with the ability to collaborate and build trusting relationships with diverse groups.

• Strong influencing and collaboration skills with a proven ability to work cross-functionally within a team environment to complete projects and meet targets.

• Proficiency in constituent relationship management (CRM) tools.

• Superior planning, organization, and time management skills.

• Passion for the mission of the UWC is essential.

• Interest, experience, and/or exposure to political affairs will be considered an asset.

• The ability to speak Ukrainian will be considered an asset.