Please submit applications to Jobapplicants@toyassociation.org

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Toy Foundation’s (TTF) mission is to provide joy and comfort to children in need through the experience of toys and play. The Foundation is seeking a development professional to bring increased resources to the organization to advance its mission. The position offers collaboration with expert, dynamic, and experienced staff and board of trustees, as well as the opportunity to represent a dynamic, growing non-profit in the toy industry.

The Development Director is responsible for the development and implementation of a strategy to optimize fundraising efforts, increasing revenue for Foundation programs and initiatives (i.e., Toy Bank and Play Grants programs) and fundraising for Toy Association (TA) / Toy Foundation events such as the Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards, Los Angeles Party with a Purpose, etc.), while informing, engaging, and igniting action in various stakeholders.

The Development Director organizes large-scale fundraising initiatives, works with board members, manages the annual fund, builds relationships with donors – together with the Executive Director – identifies and cultivates relationships with prospective major gift donors, grows small donors, oversees in-kind donations, and manages donor database.

The Development Director is a critical leadership role at The Toy Foundation. A degree of collaboration with the entire staff, particularly the Association’s Strategic Communications, Experiences, and Finance teams and will collaborate with the Senior Manager of Grants &Communications position who is responsible for grant writing, play grants management, and the development and implementation of a strategy to optimize communication and branding efforts, increasing visibility and awareness of the Foundation’s work.

This hybrid position is an exempt position and based in New York City.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibilities of this position shall include, but are not limited to:
• Strategize and oversee multi-growth opportunities that lead to diversified revenue streams for the Foundation (i.e., retail program, major gifts, individual giving, special events).
• Develop long and short-term fundraising goals including an annual development/fundraising plan with strategies for implementation.
• Develop and execute a new major gifts campaign, individual giving campaign, and other fundraising initiatives that expand the Foundation’s donor base and help meet fundraising goals.
• Fundraise for TA/TTF special events, as well as assist in event management (i.e. TOTY Awards, Los Angeles Party with a Purpose, etc.).
• Collaborate with Senior Manager of Grants & Communications to develop and track grant proposals and reports for foundation and corporate fundraising.
• Collaborate with Senior Manager of Grants & Communications on effective communications strategies to improve public image, promote fundraising initiatives and events, increase media coverage when/where possible, boost industry-wide employee engagement, and attract and retain investors/donors. This may include content for articles, emails, and social media pages, event branding and collateral, etc.
• Recommend new fundraising approaches and communications promotions to grow community and stimulate engagement.
• Expand corporate development efforts in collaboration with other Foundation team members.
• Work with TA’s Data team members to maintain high-quality data entry, gift processing, and data analysis.
• Assist in developing content for presentations, partnership meetings, board packets, trade articles, and marketing materials for Foundation and Foundation staff/volunteer leaders, as needed.
• Partner with Executive Director to oversee the Development & Fundraising board committee, inclusive of drafting executive summaries, and support other Foundation board committees.
• Participate in industry activities and trade shows to cultivate relationships and build event involvement.
• Build strong relationships with internal departments.
• Travel will be required as needed.


INTERNAL/EXTERNAL CONTACTS
This position interfaces with:
• TA and TTF staff and vendors.
• Works closely with TA MarComm department and other outside resources in communications and promotion of TTF impact, events and programs. See note above.
• TTF and TA Board of Directors, members, and non-member industry contacts.
• Industry Influencers (play experts, industry contacts, researchers, etc.).
• Media (when appropriate).
• Director position works as part of a small team to produce a variety of communications that directly benefit children in need and showcase toy industry philanthropy.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
• Bachelor’s degree required (concentration in nonprofit management, development, philanthropy), further study a plus.
• Experience as a senior-level development professional with direct responsibility for major gifts, corporate giving, grants, and individual giving. Retail fundraising a plus.
• Proven track record of achieving revenue targets; sales and marketing experience considered.
• Strong verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and thorough understanding of strategic development.
• Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate, and manage new accounts.
• Strong partnership-building and event planning skills.
• Thorough understanding of all components of a diversified funding base.
• Full understanding of donor-centric philosophy.
• Strong project management, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Capable of building productive relationships with key stakeholders.
• Must be reliable, organized, creative, independent and self-motivated, enthusiastic, dependable, flexible in scheduling and prioritization, and driven by excellence.
• Good computer skills and knowledge of client management systems.

The ideal candidate will have an extremely professional demeanor, with the ability to provide tactful, honest counsel, successfully collaborate with the Executive Director and staff, be self-motivated, work well under pressure, and be able to handle several projects at one time.