Executive Director

  • Full-time

Company Description

JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, policy influence and a working plan to bring life-changing therapies from the lab to the community. As the largest charitable supporter of T1D research, JDRF has invested nearly $2B in research over the past 45 years and is sponsoring scientific research in 17 countries worldwide.

The Minnesota and Dakotas Chapter plays a vital leadership role in JDRF’s success, with recent pre-COVID, fiscal year gross revenue budgets in the $4.6 to $5.1 million range.   The current fiscal year budget has been reduced due to the challenges associated with the pandemic, yet 60%-70% has been outstandingly retained.   The Chapter has a strong, committed Board and other volunteer key stakeholders who are actively engaged and passionate supporters of JDRF.  The Executive Director reports to the area’s Regional Director at JDRF, and partners with and works very closely with the Chapter Board. 

For more information please visit jdrf.org  and www.jdrf.org/minnesotadakotas/

As a JDRF team member, you can look forward to interesting and challenging work, building strong relationships with fellow staff and our network of volunteers, and having a meaningful impact on the lives of everyone affected by this devastating disease.

Job Description

Summary:

The Executive Director is responsible for creating an atmosphere for the volunteers and staff to succeed in meeting the objectives of JDRF’s mission.  He or she accomplishes this through leadership, management and growth of the chapter including annual budget development, planning, implementation and evaluation of all operations and events in conjunction with the Regional Director and chapter Board of Directors.  The Executive Director develops and sustains an effective volunteer Board of Directors, leads relationship building with C-suite corporate executives and major donors and provides inspired leadership and oversight to all assigned staff. 

The Minnesota and Dakotas Chapter covers the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The chapter office is in Bloomington, MN.   Including the Executive Director, the Chapter staff consists of six staff members who work collaboratively to serve the mission effectively and efficiently through relational revenue development, stewardship and community building to support life altering research and advocacy efforts.  All of this is done in partnership with phenomenal volunteer leaders and supporters, without whom we couldn’t accomplish our goals.

Résumés with no cover letter will not be considered.  

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

  • Provides inspired and motivating leadership to the staff and volunteers while planning for and delivering year over year growth by serving as a visionary for the region and assigned territory.
  • Marshalls the varied talents and resources available in order to meet and exceed fundraising goals. 
  • Develops overall goals, timelines and budgets in partnership with the Board and National Office/Regional Director, and ensures goals are achieved and performance meets or exceeds expectations. 
  • Understands JDRF’s core program metrics and key indicators and effectively uses JDRF systems to aggressively monitor year over year trends and impact on performance. 
  • Maintains a comprehensive understanding of JDRF’s mission and research strategy.

Fundraising:

  • Executes strategic revenue plans to drive profitable, diversified and sustainable year-over-year growth in the chapter.  
  • Consistently delivers against established revenue/expense targets.
  • Evaluates human and financial resources and develop plans which support maximum market penetration and increased efficiency.
  • In conjunction with the Regional Director and with support from national partners and volunteer leadership, develops and implements annual operational/fundraising plan.
  • Develops a Stewardship plan for all levels of chapter positions to ensure appreciation and ongoing relationships key to chapter success are achieved.
  • Manages, coaches, and develops direct reports, ensuring that the responsibilities, authorities and accountabilities are well-defined in the functions of constituent relationship management, stewardship, cultivation, prospect management and pipeline development.   
  • Develops and executes major donor fundraising initiatives across programs in partnership with the JDRF staff partners (Leadership Giving Director, Donor Relations Director).  Working with volunteer leadership, actively develops and stewards relationships with potential major donors.
  • Identifies and develops opportunities to engage C-level and other senior corporate executives in order to grow and diversify corporate sponsorship income.  Provides year-round stewardship of corporate relationships, developing a more continuous approach to corporate relationships as opposed to transactional/event-specific engagement.
  • Directs the cultivation and meaningful involvement of volunteers at all levels of income.
  • Partners with volunteer leadership to solicit funding and other support from individuals, corporations, foundations and other sources of funding and/or influence.  Develops prospect solicitation strategies and proposals.
  • Provides leadership and professional staff support for donor-centered and special events fundraising programs.  Works to assure the fundraising priorities of the JDRF International Board are incorporated and successfully implemented.

Board & Volunteer Development:

  • Serves as the staff manager/partner to the Chapter Board, providing leadership, support, materials, reports and assistance in building and implementing annual plans and ensuring the on-going development of a strong and engaged Board.
  • Develops and maintains processes and procedures that promote a good working relationship between staff teams and volunteer leadership.
  • Serves as co-chair of the nominating process and provides direct support and leadership in attracting and retaining high-impact board members.
  • Keeps Chapter Board leadership current on all JDRF International Office communications and programs.

Community Development and Public Outreach:

  • Serves as the Chapter’s primary staff representative of JDRF in the community; builds strategic relationships with stakeholders and donors on behalf of JDRF and expands JDRF’s footprint in the philanthropic community. 
  • Provides leadership for the cultivation of productive relationships with the media and various constituent and related groups including professional, educational and political leadership.
  • Through chapter staff, ensures support for JDRF’s Public Outreach Programs (e.g. Family Network activities, Type One Nation Summit, Bag of Hope, Coffees, etc.)
  • Assists the Government Relations Committee as a source of information about the market’s state/district and membership; provides assistance to the Advocacy team chair. Acts as a liaison between the JDRF International government relations office and the local market.

Staff and Financial Management and Development:

  • Directs and manages resources including staff and volunteers. Cultivates and sustains a strong team-oriented culture, with an emphasis on collaboration, results and accountability.
  • Models JDRF Volunteer/Staff Partnership including staff to staff/volunteer to volunteer management.
  • Accountable for the development, management, and attainment of annual budgets, the maintenance of its fiscal records, and the timely and accurate submission of JDRF financial and forecast reports. Ensures efficient and appropriate utilization of JDRF equipment and facilities.
  • Ensures that staff and volunteers follow guidelines necessary to achieve no significant or repeat violations on Internal Audits.
  • Performs and/or facilitates personnel management functions in accordance with JDRF policies and procedures, including, but not limited to performance management, training, supervision and hiring/termination.
  • Ensures and oversees the preparation of Chapter status reports, plans and activities. Ensures confidentiality and security of all information under supervision.

Liaison with International Office:

  • Represents JDRF International Office at designated functions as a JDRF professional and attend meetings as requested.
  • Represents interests, professionalism and integrity of JDRF in all activities and relationships through a unified message of the JDRF mission and a commitment to organizational standards and leadership by personal example.
  • Ensures that the policies adopted by JDRF are understood and followed by all staff.
  • Provides leadership in building confidence and a strong working relationship between the field offices and the International office.

Qualifications

  • Minimum of 8 years of professional non-profit fundraising experience, with a clear record of achievement in a complex, mission-driven organization; 5 years in a supervisory capacity.  For-profit experience combined with non-profit experience will be considered.
  • Record of success in a fundraising leadership role, particularly in large scale events (walk, gala, etc.) and major gifts ($10,000+).  Consultative sales experience preferred.
  • Experience and ability to partner with strong and active volunteer leaders is critical, as is the ability to work successfully with a large network of passionate volunteers.
  • Strong skills in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, portfolio management and on-going stewardship of major individual donors and corporate partners. Strong sales aptitude - the ability to build rapport and trust, make the ask, and maintain long-term relationships.  
  • Proficiency in Salesforce or other customer relationship management (CRM) tools and MS Suite.
  • Exceptional management skills and the ability to inspire, lead and motivate a talented staff team; develop and sustain an inclusive and respectful work environment through all interactions with staff. Commitment to staff development and ability to create career/development plans for staff, with a view toward retention.
  • Team player that has the experience and ability to interface with all levels of staff and volunteers.  Must develop, grow, manage, and utilize relationships.  Capability to leverage relationships and negotiate agreements.
  • Ability to develop and successfully maintain an extensive network of strategic relationships (donors, volunteers, community partners, etc.) in the local market and other markets in the Chapter area.  Existing network in the local market preferred.
  • Successful experience leading through and managing change.
  • Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, production methods, human behavior and performance, and coordination of people and resources.  Proficiency in non-profit fiscal and strategic management.
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.  
  • High degree of energy, integrity, courage and creativity as well as the intellectual, organizational, and personal qualities to quickly earn respect and cooperation from all program constituencies.
  • High capacity to assess the value, importance, and/or quality of activities and people.
  • High level of comfort communicating complex information (e.g. JDRF research, goals, etc.) to a wide range of audiences, from high-net worth individuals to corporate and governmental leaders, the press and the public. 
  • Superior active listening, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Effectively multi-task, establishes priorities, and work in a fast-paced environment.  Highly efficient in time management and can meet deadlines under pressure.  Ability to work and make judgments independently and take initiative.  Well-disciplined and a self-starter that is extremely resourceful.
  • Talent for and commitment to working with and through others.
  • Executive presence.
  • Ability to be a passionate spokesperson/representative of JDRF’s mission.
  • Proven track record of success and stability.
  • Evening and weekend work required as needed.
  • Ability to travel locally required.  Occasional overnight travel as needed.

Additional Information

JDRF supports a diverse and inclusive workforce.
JDRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

JDRF’s GUIDING PRINCIPLES: 

We will persevere and be unstoppable.

We will engage, involve and be stronger together.

We will own and act with courage.

We will make and see a real difference.