Director of Development & U.S. Fencing Foundation Executive Director

USA Fencing / U.S. Fencing Foundation - Director of Development & U.S. Fencing Foundation Executive Director


Position title: Director of Development
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Note: Priority will be given to applications received by September 12, 2024 but will remain open until filled.
Based: Preference for applicants living in Colorado, New York Metro, San Francisco Metro - but location is flexible for the right applicant.

Work in the exciting, fast-paced, collaborative world of sports at USA Fencing, the national governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of fencing in the United States.

The role of the Director of Development & U.S. Fencing Foundation Executive Director is to manage overall operations and grow the U.S. Fencing Foundation ("Foundation") major gifts, annual fund initiatives/programs, donor events, communications, marketing, grant programs and community initiatives while leading a Development Manager who can support all of these endeavors allowing the Director of Development to focus primarily on Major Gift fundraising.

The Director of Development will also be part of USA Fencing's Senior Management Team. The ideal candidate brings a passion for the Foundation's mission, is entrepreneurial, innovative, and practical with strong business acumen and proven experience leading and growing a similar Foundation leading an annual raise of $2m or more during the initial period of employment.

To be clear, this role is ultimately about bringing financial tools to the sport of Fencing to allow us to fulfill our mission and strategic plan while developing outstanding positive and constructive relationships. This role is not easy, and requires a driven, creative thinker.

The role leads a Development Manager and collaborates, supports and is supported by colleagues across Finance, Communications & DEIB, Sport Performance, Membership Service & Growth, Athlete Safety & Compliance, and the Executive Office.

USA Fencing particularly encourages applications from diverse individuals with relevant experience as detailed below.


Responsibilities:

Fundraising:

• Responsible for generating hyper year-over-year growth in the Foundation, led by major gifts.
• Responsible for coaching and supporting the Development Manager annual giving and events fundraising goals within each calendar year
• Develop, in collaboration with the CEO and Trustees, and lead short and long-term plans, laying out growth strategies and tactics to establish the Foundation as a best-in-class annual fundraising organization
• Create and implement fundraising campaigns to identify, cultivate and steward major gifts, including planning giving opportunities
• Enhance and implement consistent donor benefits, perks and stewardship
• Develop and implement a plan to optimize the existing and potential future programmatic events to generate incremental fundraising and incentivize major gift donors
• Coach and oversee the Development Manager in delivering all Foundation events, experiences, and any other events/experiences that drive fundraising and engagement.

Business Operations

• Responsible for developing, in cooperation with the CEO, Development Manager and the Foundation Board of Trustees ("Trustees"), delivering and reporting on an annual business plan aligned with the strategic priorities and long-term road map for the Foundation
• Collaborate with, and form outstanding relationships with, with all Trustees, committees, the USA Fencing Senior Management Team and colleagues across USA Fencing.
• Oversee all foundation business operations including, but not limited to, CRM management and optimization, reporting, budgeting and managerial duties
• Support and coach the Development Manager to coordinate with athletes, coaches and U.S. Olympians/Paralympians on speaking engagements, fantasy experiences, personal appearances and signed memorabilia and other engagement with the Foundation.
• In conjunction with the USA Fencing finance team and CEO, oversee budget development, monthly review of financial statements.
• Coach and support all development staff, currently one Development Manager and external contract support.
• Lead grant funding and expense reconciliations including working with the USA Fencing finance team on available funding.
• Other duties and functions as needed, and as assigned by the CEO.

Required Experience and Competencies:

• Minimum five years of experience in fundraising within collegiate athletics, Olympic & Paralympic sports or similar, with proven individual progressive success.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject or equivalent direct experience.
• A commitment to a positive, mutually supportive, creative, work environment and strong, open, collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• A commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
• A passion for both able-bodied and Para sport.
• Significant proven development experience focused on major gifts.
• Extremely personable with excellent verbal and written and public speaking skills.
• Experience growing, stewarding and maintaining relationships with parents, alumni, athletes, coaches across a spectrum of demographics.
• Experience with Major Gift, Annual Giving, Planned Giving and VIP hospitality events.
• A creative and thoughtful mindset and a willingness to work with donors and internal stakeholders for the ultimate positive relationship.
• Experience securing significant impact from individuals, corporations, foundations and other sources.
• Software proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint or other presentation platforms.
• Experience with fundraising CRM systems.
• Highly organized with ability to work independently and manage multiple projects at once from inception through execution; detail-oriented and deadline focused
• Knowledge of Fencing is encouraged but not required, the willingness to engage and learn the sport of Fencing, however, is required.
• Ability to travel and work additional hours as necessary, including nights and weekends
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment as part of a team atmosphere, including effective coordination with other business units.

Location and Travel

The role is remote-based, or may be based in Colorado Springs, Colo. - as a preference, an individual ought to be based within easy access to the metropolitan areas of New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles-Orange County-San Diego or Denver-Colorado Springs.

If remote, the role will require occasional travel to USA Fencing headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo. USA Fencing's priority is recruiting the right individual over location factors.

During onboarding, the individual will be expected to travel to build relationships for significant time to Colorado Springs and to USA Fencing National Events.

In addition to occasional trips to Colorado Springs, you'll be required to make extensive travel as part of your mission to grow the foundation and engage our donors.


Work Schedule

This is not your standard 9 to 5; the role will require you to travel throughout the United States and occasionally abroad to build relationships with those interested in philanthropic engagement. USA Fencing supports autonomous working which means you'll be expected to make a schedule balancing that prioritizes your personal life and family time and balances those needs with those required to fulfill the requirements of the position, and drive the success of the Foundation.


About USA Fencing

USA Fencing is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of fencing in the United States. Its mission is to grow and promote the sport of fencing in the United States, honor its rich traditions and achieve sustained international success.

USA Fencing and the Foundation are equal opportunity employers committed to increasing the diversity of its community. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, gender identity or expression, disability, or sexual orientation. To learn more about USA Fencing's diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging efforts, please visit our DEIB page at: https://www.usafencing.org/deib.


Starting Salary Range

$95,000-$150,000 base compensation annually, commensurate with experience, plus generous performance bonuses based on meeting fundraising targets.

This is a full-time exempt position.

USA Fencing offers a robust benefit package, such as:

• Unrestricted PTO and paid sick time
• 10 paid holidays per year (+ additional week off at the end of the year)
• 401(k) (+matching up to 4%)
• Health insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Professional Development Opportunities

Application Process and Informal Inquiries

• Applications received by September 12, 2024, will be given priority, the position will remain open until filled.
• We anticipate at least two rounds of interviews, to include the CEO and the USFF Trustees at various stages of the process.

Please send your cover letter, resume and work samples to CEO, Phil Andrews at [email protected] - individuals who desire an informal discussion may reach out the same way.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Questions:

1. Please list salary expectations
2. Are you willing to travel often to meet donors?

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