Local Motion Chief Development Officer Columbia, MO · Full time

Apply for Chief Development Officer

Local Motion is a grassroots advocacy organization focused on transportation equity. Our mission is to provide walking, biking, and transit solutions to meet people’s everyday transportation needs. We are based in Columbia, MO.

• Full-time position (salaried, exempt)
• Compensation: $65,000/year
• Benefits:
• 20 days Vacation/Illness/Personal paid leave
• 11 paid holidays
• Group health insurance (100% of premiums covered)
• Retirement contribution (automatic employer contribution of 2% of salary; employer match up to 6% of salary)
• Personal cell phone reimbursement ($50/month)
• Long-term disability insurance
• Identity theft insurance
• Financial wellness subscription (You Need A Budget)
• Commuter incentive
• Professional development funding
• Flexible schedule
• Option to work from home 1 day/week

This position reports to the CEO.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal person for this position is someone who:

• Is personally committed to the idea of walking, biking, using a wheelchair, or riding the bus to get around town. We believe in practicing what we preach because it is critical to our advocacy mission.
• Has at least 5-10 years of leadership experience and demonstrated success, ideally in a nonprofit setting, including grant writing and fundraising
• Is meticulous, detail-oriented, and organized
• Is self-directed and able to work independently
• Has the computer skills to use email, internet, and Microsoft Office or G Suite on a daily basis
• Has experience with donor database systems
• Sees themselves as a good fit with Local Motion’s Core Values and will use these values to guide how they do business
• Will advocate for the mission and goals of Local Motion in the community and build a reputation of the highest reliability and trustworthiness

Local Motion strives to have a diverse staff that represents our community. We particularly encourage people of color, people with disability experience, and people connected to communities with limited economic opportunity to apply. If you think you’re a good fit for the position but aren’t sure you have all the skills and experience we’re looking for, we still strongly encourage you to apply.

Local Motion values inclusion, diversity, and equity, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or disability.

Position Description

Local Motion is structured using a shared leadership model, with organizational leadership and decision-making shared between the CEO, CDO, and CFO. These three executive-level positions partner together to provide strategy direction and leadership.

The CDO assists the CEO and CFO in high-level organizational decisions, including through the development and implementation of the strategic plan and annual budget.

The CDO is responsible for bringing in the major sources of revenue that support the entire organization and all staff positions. Local Motion is funded primarily through grants, fundraising, consulting, and events, and the CDO is responsible for identifying, seeking, and securing funding through each of these strategies. The CDO also assists with implementing Local Motion’s communications strategy and events.

Local Motion funds and accomplishes its mission work through persuasive communication. Local Motion’s financial sustainability relies on the CDO’s exemplary writing skills to win highly competitive grants and contracts, and grow and nurture Local Motion’s membership base. The CDO also uses engaging speaking and listening skills to build relationships with donors and supporters.

The CDO position doesn’t currently supervise any direct report staff members, but may in the future.

Responsibilities

Mission Direction & Advocacy (15% of time)

• Assist with leadership decisions, strategic planning, and annual budgeting process in partnership with CEO and CFO
• Assist with major advocacy initiatives

Development (85% of time)

Grants

• Oversee grant research, prospecting, calendar, proposal development, and submissions in partnership with contract grant writer
• Oversee grant management and reporting in partnership with staff team
• Build and maintain positive relationships with grant funders

Fundraising

• Research, develop, and lead fundraising strategies (membership, direct mail, digital giving, major gifts, Endurance Fund, sponsorships)
• Record and analyze performance metrics and adjust strategies based on performance and return on investment
• Analyze donor data to identify prospects for major gifts
• Research and develop strategies to grow base of donor prospects and supporters
• Steward relationships with members and major donors; manage member and sponsor benefits
• Oversee donor thank you process
• Cultivate a highly positive organizational image and reputation
• Manage donor database record-keeping in EveryAction

Physical Requirements

• Ability to use a computer and phone for regular tasks and communication
• Ability to travel independently across Columbia

Apply

To apply, please submit the following application materials to CEO, Lawrence Simonson ([email protected]), by July 16, 2023:

1. Cover letter
2. Résumé or CV
3. Example(s) of your development accomplishments. One or both of:

• Writing sample (grant proposal, short essay, blog, publication, etc.)
• Fundraising metrics (e.g., $ amount raised by XX strategy over XX years)

Our Hiring Process & Timeline

Application review

• Our hiring team will review each application that we receive. We'll check if the application is complete (including the materials we requested above), and we'll assess the applicant's skills and experience in comparison to our position needs.
• Timeline: Week of July 17

Interviews

• We'll invite our top candidates to interview with our hiring team. We prefer in-person interviews, but we're also open to Zoom interviews. We typically interview 3-4 people.
• We will send our interview questions out before the interview so candidates have an opportunity to think about their responses ahead of time.
• We value the time and effort candidates put into preparing for and completing an interview with Local Motion. We will provide a $50 cash stipend to each person who completes an interview.
• Timeline: Week of July 24

Hiring offer

• Based on the application materials and interviews, we'll offer the position to our top candidate.
• Timeline: By July 28

Position start

• We'd like the new CDO to start as soon as possible, but we understand the start date will be dependent on their availability.
• Timeline: Preferred start by August 14

**Please submit applications by email only. Applications through job boards will not be accepted.**