Job Description
- Position: Development Director
- Pay range: $70,000 to $80,000, depending on experience
- Benefits: Partial health insurance premium reimbursement; 401k retirement plan with up to 4% employer match; professional development allowance; 20 days per year paid time off, which may be used for vacation, sick leave, or other needs; and at least 12 days per year of paid holidays.
- Location: Must be located in Texas. Work from home with regular virtual and in person
meetings with Board members, donors, and prospects.
- Travel: 25% – 40%
- Hours: Full-time
Application deadline: June 9, 2023 or until the position is filled
About Commission Shift
Commission Shift is a fast-growing Texas-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in March
2021. Our mission is to reform oil and gas oversight by building public support to hold the
Railroad Commission of Texas accountable to its mission in a shifting energy landscape.
The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) is one of the most important oil and gas
regulators in the world. Contrary to what its name implies, the Railroad Commission has
no authority over railroads. Instead, the agency oversees oil and gas development, coal
and uranium mining, and gas utility service in Texas, among other functions. Its mission is
to serve Texas through stewardship of natural resources and the environment, concern
for personal and community safety, and support of enhanced development and economic
vitality for the benefit of Texans.
Commission Shift’s goal is to build broad public support from a wide array of stakeholder
voices to advance changes at the RRC that improve the agency’s function, transparency,
and accountability to people and places impacted by the oil and gas industry. Too often,
the Commission has promoted accelerated development of oil and gas over all other parts
of its mission — to the detriment of natural resources and the environment, safety, and
economic vitality.
Position Description
Commission Shift is hiring a Development Director, to build and diversify the
organization’s fundraising capacities. The Development Director, like other members of
our team, will be expected to devote some of their work time to supporting our sister
organization, Commission Shift Action, a 501(c)(4) non-profit.
The Development Director will report to the Executive Director and will collaborate with all
departments to appropriately communicate Commission Shift’s work and achievements to
donors and donor prospects. The role of the Development Director will be to build a
robust and diverse fundraising program of individuals, corporations, and foundations. The
Development Director will also be responsible for driving both Boards’ development and
management in service to the organization to maximize efficiencies and support the
Executive Director.
This role is expected to aid in message development, Board and stakeholder management
and development, donor prospecting, solicitation and stewardship, and strategic and long
term fundraising planning.
Responsibilities
- Work closely with Executive Director and Board of Directors to direct all
fundraising; developing, managing, and stewarding donor and donor prospect
relationships
- Organizing and follow-up for Board of Directors meetings, including the meetings
of the Development Committee
- Develop, manage and execute annual fundraising plans
- Develop and grow a major gifts program including identification, cultivation and
solicitation of major donors
- Develop and manage a donor stewardship program
- Monitor and evaluate the monthly, quarterly, and annual budget alongside
fundraising goals and progress
- Meet prospective donors and supporters on a continual basis to establish effective
communications and relationships with them
- Direct oversight of fundraising event coordination, communication with vendors,
hosts and sponsors
- Oversee creation of publications to support fundraising activities
- Prepare fact sheets, FAQs, talking points, and speeches for the Executive Director
and other staff as needed
- Collaborate with the organizing team and communications team to develop written
materials and presentations suitable for general/donor audiences
- Maintain organized files and manage and optimize donor data
- Perform other duties as requested
Required minimum qualifications
- Embraces the mission of Commission Shift
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
- Knowledge of or experience with the nonprofit 501(c)(3) and/or 501(c)(4) funding
landscape
- Knowledge of and experience with developing, executing, and evaluating
fundraising plans including the analysis of analysis fundraising data
- Knowledge of and experience with fundraising strategies and techniques,
particularly Board fundraising, major gift development, grant writing and reporting,
and online and digital giving
- Proficient using Microsoft Word and Powerpoint and the ability to perform basic
math functions in Excel for data analysis
- Willingness to learn how to use Google Workspace applications including Drive,
Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms
- Possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Possesses the skills to work with and motivate staff, Board, and volunteers
- Desire to get out of the office (physically and virtually) and build external
relationships in partnership with volunteer leaders and to initiate donor visits and
fundraising calls
- Organized and exhibits “follow through” on tasks and goals
- Attention to detail, maintains organized electronic files, and manages time and
expectations with respect to deadlines
- Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and continuous learning
- Displays a positive attitude, shows concern for people and community,
demonstrates presence, self-confidence, common sense and good listening ability
- Respectful and empathetic of individuals and groups coming from a variety of
backgrounds and viewpoints (e.g. progressive or conservative; rural or urban;
various education levels; across races, ethnicities, languages, and genders)
- Must abide by the Code of Ethical Principles and Standards of Professional Practice
Desired qualifications, not required
The ideal candidate will have some combination of the following qualifications, but does not need to meet all of the following criteria.
- Familiarity with EveryAction or other donor management tools
- Knowledge of or experience with the Texas fundraising landscape
- Knowledge of or experience with the Railroad Commission of Texas
Technology Requirements
- Phone and internet access allowing for multiple phone or video calls per day.
How to apply
Send a resume (no more than two pages) and cover letter to Cristina Ayala, Cristina@AyalaCSM.com with the subject “CS – Development Director Application.”
Applicants with a nontraditional career path or gaps in employment are encouraged to share knowledge, strengths, or skills they developed during this nontraditional experience in their cover letter, if desired.
Commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity
Commission Shift believes that corporate and institutional bad behavior disproportionately hurts the most marginalized people in society — including people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. We strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of marginalized communities that are not listed here.
Commission Shift is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
