Are you self-motivated and enthusiastic? Are you passionate about mental health services and supporting veterans and their families? If so, Paws and Stripes may have an opportunity for you!

Paws and Stripes, an Albuquerque-based nonprofit, offers animal-assisted therapy and other mental health services to military veterans and their loved ones living with service-connected trauma, including PTSD, brain injuries, and other disabilities. The core of the program is pairing shelter dogs with veterans to be trained as service dogs, while integrating mental health services. Paws and Stripes is committed to continuous improvement, ethical integrity, inclusivity, resilience, and clear communication with both team members and clients.

Purpose: The Development Director is responsible for creating and executing a strategic fundraising plan that supports the organization's mission efficiently and cost-effectively. This role oversees all fundraising efforts, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, events, donor stewardship, capital campaigns, and additional special projects. The Development Director also builds and nurtures relationships with donors, community partners, and corporate funders. Key responsibilities include leading the development team, managing marketing efforts, ensuring accurate data reporting, executing the development plan, and contributing to strategic planning efforts. The Development Director collaborates across departments to achieve fundraising goals and reports to the Executive Director.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategic & Development Planning

• In partnership with the Executive Director, collaborates with the board of directors and the Executive Director to implement the Strategic Plan
• Evaluates, designs, implements, and manages the annual Development Plan
• Collaborates with department staff to achieve development activities
• Evaluates the results of all resource development initiatives including but not limited to campaigns, events, corporate sponsorships, direct mail campaigns, and other resource development programs
• Oversees and recommends modifications or new strategies to proactively support the achievement of the organization’s development and fundraising goals

Development Team Leadership

• Oversees the Development Manager’s activities; leads, motivates, and fosters a positive and collaborative environment
• Sets clear expectations and goals, provides constructive feedback, and encourages growth and development
• Conducts performance evaluations and manages related documentation

Fundraising and Stewardship

• Partners with the Executive Director to build and nurture relationships with public and private donors
• Works with the Executive Director and Development Manager to cultivate/strengthen major donor relationships
• Partners with the Program Research Manager to strategize and administer the grant process
• Develops and maintains a donor pipeline to cultivate, solicit, and steward in accordance with the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Code of Ethics
• Identifies prospects for annual, major, and planned gifts
• Coordinates and conducts direct asks and solicitations
• Evaluates and enhances donor engagement, retention, and growth
• Manages and organizes donor data effectively
• Advances fundraising strategies through interaction with donors in the community and at all events
• Partners with committees and board members to boost engagement in fundraising and advocacy

Events

• Executes and manages all annual events including “Celebration of Heroes”
• Collaborates with support staff to obtain sponsorships, manage volunteer teams, and oversees ticket sales to reach budgeted goals and ensure seamless execution of events
• Seeks out public speaking opportunities, promoting Paws and Stripes services and partnership opportunities
• Works with Programs Department to develop stories and identify impactful and appropriate ways to share them
• Ensures accurate record keeping, gift acknowledgement, and communication with donors

Marketing & Communications

• Collaborates with marketing contractors, service providers, and partners
• Works across departments to support organizational activities and communications
• Partners with the Programs team to ensure a trauma-informed protocol/approach when sharing client stories
• Adheres to branding standards in all external communications with donors, prospects, and sponsors
• Delegates responsibilities to staff and oversees contractors and service providers, provides guidance and oversight
• Ensures timely, accurate, and appropriate dissemination of marketing materials and copy

Data Management & Reporting

• Ensures accurate, timely, and detailed reporting and data management across all organizational platforms
• Reports monthly development activities and attends board meetings as requested
• Works with the Executive Director to review, develop, and execute annual development plan goals
• Utilizes donor management platforms and websites for reporting and tracking fundraising efforts

Additional Job Functions:

• Serves as the primary spokesperson for the organization, representing and presenting on its behalf
• Limited travel may be required
• Oversees and manages the Development Department budget
• Other duties as assigned or as needed

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A passion for and commitment to the Paws and Stripes mission and the clients served
• A bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent years of professional fundraising experience
• 3-5 years of prior fundraising and/or development experience
• Adherence to highest ethical practices in fundraising & money management
• Demonstrated experience in direct asks resulting in major gifts and multi-year pledges, public relations, non-profit partnerships and donor cultivation, grant writing, proposal development, and/or related experience
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including strong public speaking ability
• Ability to lead, collaborate with, and inspire a diverse group of stakeholders
• Must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, and proactive with an independent, positive, and problem-solving attitude
• Ability to work as a leader and as part of a team
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and demonstrates careful attention to detail
• Organized and exhibits “follow through” on tasks and goals
• Computer literate (Word, Publisher, Excel, database entry) and ability to learn & use Bloomerang Donor Management Software
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
• Must like dogs and people
• All offers of employment with Paws and Stripes are contingent upon a successful and clear background check

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Familiarity and/or experience with the armed forces, military culture, and/or veteran services
• Background and/or appreciation for mental/behavioral health services
• Knowledge and experience working with databases and software systems
• Project Management experience a plus
• CFRE preferred

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical requirements and work environment described are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Daily exposure to dogs in the office environment should be expected - may be asked to handle dogs as needed
• Work is performed in a highly active environment with exposure to a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a diverse employee and client population
• Work may be performed at a desk / computer screen for extended periods of time and in the community with donors, community partners, and stakeholders
• This position requires the manual dexterity to operate phones, computers, and other office equipment
• Position may require the occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds

Paws and Stripes Benefits:

Paws and Stripes offers a generous benefits package that includes 100% paid employee health insurance (medical/dental/Rx/vision), partial family benefits (including domestic partners), an employee assistance program, a 401(K) with 2% matching, and reimbursement for cell phone/vehicle use as applicable. Employees receive 8 paid holidays, 2 additional days for Thanksgiving, a week of paid winter break, PTO, and paid parental leave. The organization also supports professional development, providing access to mandatory and elective trainings, memberships, and subscriptions. Eligible employees can bring their pet dogs to work, pending approval by the Training Team.

Equity & Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities:

Paws and Stripes is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equal employment opportunity and to compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws. They prohibit discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally-recognized basis, including, but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex assigned at birth, gender identity, sexual orientation, age (40 and over), spousal affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, National Guard membership, veteran status, uniformed service member status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), HIV status, serious medical condition, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law.

To Apply, click here.