Senior Director, Foundation Relations

About SBP

Founded in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina, SBP is a social impact organization focused on disaster resilience and recovery.  We envision a future where everyone—regardless of race, economic status, or geography—can rebound quickly from extreme weather events.  Our mission is to shrink the time between disaster and recovery, building stronger communities and making sure our most vulnerable fellow citizens can quickly access the assistance they need.

What sets SBP apart?

We don’t just react to natural disasters—we take a long-term, 360-degree approach.  SBP addresses disaster resilience and recovery in three interrelated ways:

• We train and advise individuals, communities, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and local governments in best practices for disaster preparedness, risk mitigation, and recovery; 
• We build resilient homes and communities, sharing our proven model and approach with others; 
• We advocate for change at the systems level, aiming to make the recovery process more predictable, efficient, and effective for all disaster survivors.

Our innovative, multi-pronged approach is driven by the dedication and passion of volunteers and AmeriCorps members; the generosity of donors and partners; and our incredible SBP team, whose commitment to racial equity, environmental sustainability, and helping those most in need infuses their everyday work. We’re making a lasting impact on thousands of lives—and we’d love for you to join us. 

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Foundation Relations will serve as an integral part of SBP’s 10-person Development team by leading the strategic development and management of significant foundation relationships. They will manage and steward a portfolio of high value and complexity, with the goal of progressively increasing revenue goals within the next 2-3 years. SBP’s Development team has grown over the past year and is now organized by functional expertise. This is an exciting opportunity to build and grow a team over time. The Senior Director of Foundation Relations will report to the Chief Development Officer and collaborate with leaders across the organization. 

Responsibilities

We seek an innovative and strategic fundraiser to help drive philanthropic growth. As the Senior Director of Foundation Relations, responsibilities include:

• Create new and lasting donor relationships, including raising six- and seven-figure gifts from foundations that provide critical support for SBP to carry out its mission.  
• Focus 60% of the time on new funding streams while also maintaining excellent stewardship of current institutional donors in portfolio. 
• Develop relationships with foundation staff and participate in foundation meetings. This includes preparing strategic talking points for SBP’s Executive staff. 
• Create and implement engagement strategies to cultivate institutional funders and inspire existing donors to expand their giving. 
• Oversee preparation of high quality proposals, reports, and other communications to donors (including effective collaboration with grant writers).
• Develop and implement a strategic plan for increasing foundation support within the next 2-3 years. 
• Work strategically with the Chief Development Officer to set goals, priorities, and direction for foundation giving and acquisition.
• Assess and improve day-to-day processes and ensure team members are adhering to best practices in support of prospect identification, donor screening, and reporting.
• Continuously demonstrate a strong understanding of SBP’s programs, value proposition and impact to current and prospective donors and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to structure and execute fundraising initiatives. Foster relationships of trust, respect and accountability in working with team members, funders, stakeholders and partners and adhere to SBP’s values.
• Stay abreast of foundation shifts and trends in philanthropy. 

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in a nonprofit organization or fundraising, including demonstrated success in a development function (managing and forging relationships with institutional funders).
• Experience in portfolio management – including transformational and multi-year gifts.
• Proven track record of expanding and cultivating relationships with institutional funders.
• Experience using and maintaining best practices for a CRM, to ensure accuracy of donor revenue information. 
• Results focused, while balancing team wellbeing, culture and constructive feedback.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and time management skills in a dynamic fast paced environment.
• Bachelor’s degree required. 
• Ability to travel for donor meetings and events, along with department meetings. 
• Able to satisfactorily pass a background check.

Performance Expectations

• Provide effective leadership for staff and take full accountability for achieving organizational goals.
• Model curiosity and positivity in the face of challenges
• Clearly communicate and drive the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
• Able to translate broad goals into achievable steps.
• Detail-oriented with strong troubleshooting, analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Align work performance with SBP’s core values
• Be extremely driven with a strong work ethic and high energy level
• Convey a professional and positive image and attitude regarding the organization and the not-for-profit sector
• Demonstrate commitment to continued professional growth and development

Salary range: $140,000K - $170,000K

SBP is building a diverse and experienced staff. The organization encourages multiple perspectives and experiences, supports a multicultural environment, and strives to hire and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the populations we work with and the communities where we work. Our hiring and business practices appreciate the strengths offered through different backgrounds.

SBP is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, disabled veteran status, or status as a member of any other protected group or activity.

It is the policy of SBP not to discriminate against any individual, person, or group on the basis of disability and the intent of SBP to address any complaints that may arise pursuant to Section 504.