CHIEF RELATIONSHIPS OFFICER

DEPARTMENT: Donor Engagement 

WORK LOCATION: Administration  (NE Portland)

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full Time, Exempt

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 2019

TYPICAL HOURS REQUIRED: Monday-Friday, Occasional evenings and weekends as required 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief Relationships Officer will develop and drive strategy that notably increases Portland Rescue Mission’s financial support from individuals who are significant annual donors and prospective donors. As the future of the organization unfolds, the willingness and abililty to respond quickly and creatively to partnerships and opportunities that help PRM scale and serve more people will be important. 

Success in this role requires developing and maintaining high-trust relationships and impactful storytelling with a view to cultivating significant partners whose values and interests align with the ministries of Portland Rescue Mission (PRM). The Chief Relationships Officer leads the Donor Engagement Team and works closely with the entire fund development and marketing teams. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead with empathy, compassion and active listening in personally developing long-term relationships with potential and existing significant donors. Build these relationships on a clear understanding of donor values and interests while consistently stewarding these relationships to strong outcomes for both the partners and PRM
• Establish, manage and fulfill a caseload communications plan, including individual fundraising goals and personalized strategies, to effectively steward, educate, cultivate and solicit gifts from major donors each fiscal year, with an emphasis on gifts of $5,000 and much higher
• Maximize in-person engagement while managing a robust caseload of assigned major donors and a small caseload of major donor prospects following an agreed upon communications plan that is specific to each donor and prospect
• Meet agreed upon monthly and annual activity and income goals and be purposeful about every visit and communication and the desired outcome for each “touch”
• Effectively use relationship management technology that results in efficient, accurate and consistent communications, tasking, scheduling, tracking, gift acknowledgement, and coordination with everyone involved in major donor engagement
• Mentor and lead the Donor Engagement Officer and build the team as future hires of Donor Engagement Officers and support staff become necessary in fulfilling the previously listed Essential Functions
• Work in collaboration with program, finance, marketing/graphic design, and admin support staff to develop a portfolio of giving opportunities (cases for support) that documents funding needs in terms of real program costs, how dollars impact people, outcomes achieved (or could be), shortfalls and exciting mission advancement opportunities 
• Ensure excellent, highly-relational engagement is provided to donors through accessibility to staff and leadership, timely responsiveness, quality and care in all interactions and personalized communications
• Embrace the PRM ministry culture
• Serve a minimum of two hours per week in a direct ministry capacity at one of the PRM’s ministry centers
• Engage in harmonious collaboration with direct marketing, social media, foundation, corporate & public relations, and planned giving staff to coordinate and optimize major donor communications as well as overall fundraising initiatives
• Initiate, plan and execute major donor development strategies, including small events to advance relationships with existing and potential major donors as necessary
• Aggressively network to create new relationships with potential significant partners, including mobilizing and training the PRM Board and staff leadership in conducting peer-to-peer cultivation and solicitation
• Oversee donor and prospective donor research to assist in increasingly significant partnerships

GENERAL FUNCTIONS

• Create and adapt partnership advancement strategies
• Produce significant financial and relational advancements to the benefit of PRM outcomes
• Actively thank and support major donors
• Actively identify and engage with prospective donors
• Provide progress reports and recommended next steps on a weekly basis to the Executive Director
• Represent the ministry in small group environments

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• College degree in related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a non-profit fundraising role with proven success in major gift development
• Certification in fundraising preferred, support for attainment of CFRE negotiable
• Excellent interpersonal, conversational and presentation skills; demonstrating keen emotional intelligence and situational awareness
• Impactful storyteller who can tell our story in a fresh, clear and consistent manner using excellent verbal and written communication skills including strong case development abilities
• Proven expertise in developing and maintaining high-trust relationships with diverse individuals including executives and donors from all walks of life, as well as staff and people receiving PRM services
• High level of comfort with direct donor interactions including discussions of personal and family finances and asking for major financial commitments
• Exceptionally skilled in networking
• Capable of representing PRM well in virtually any group or one-on-one environment
• Creative, strategic-thinking problem solver
• Highly disciplined and organized – a person who plans their work and works their plan
• Capable of managing and prioritizing multiple projects in an organized and efficient manner to meet tight deadlines
• Self-starter – capable of operating mostly in unsupervised environments
• Strong work ethic
• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite software and customer relationship management software
• Ability to lift 50lbs
• Valid driver’s license

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES & VALUES

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and a testimony of continued growth in faith
• Spiritual maturity as defined by traditional biblical standards
• Adheres to Portland Rescue Mission's Statement of Faith and Code of Ethics
• A pleasant, grace-filled manner toward others
• Convincing and credible, able to impress favorably and win long-term confidence and trust
• Naturally resilient and resourceful, especially when faced with setbacks
• Exceptional initiative
• Diligently maintains confidentiality
• Possesses and demonstrates excellent integrity
• Composed and professional
• Good team player

EQUIPMENT USED

• Telephone, fax and voice mail
• Computer
• Copier and related office equipment
• Vehicle

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

In this and any position with Portland Rescue Mission, it is impossible to predict the many requests and assignments that can and will be made on an employee.  Flexibility and a cooperative spirit are crucial characteristics of the person who holds this important position and for the successful operation of Portland Rescue Mission services.

MISSION STATEMENT

We share the Word of God and demonstrate the love of Christ to transform the lives of people suffering from homelessness and addiction.