Director of Development

At JCFPL we are growing to serve the increased needs of our community!

Jersey City, NJ is the most diverse community in the U.S. (See: https://www.nj.com/hudson/2020/02/jersey-cityranked-the-most-diverse-us- city-in-2020.html).

It is also the largest city in Hudson County, NJ and likely, with the
next U.S. Census, to be the largest city in the State of New Jersey with a population nearing 300,000.

The JCFPL is a comprehensive urban library offering all those who live, work and study in Jersey City a wide
range of resources, services and programs that meet their informational, educational and entertainment needs.

The JCFPL is the largest municipal library in the State of New Jersey with 10 locations and a bookmobile. Our
staff of approximately 140 provides services in a wide range of languages including English, Spanish, Hindi,
Gujarati, Arabic and Tagalog, among others.

About the Position

The JCFPL seeks a Director of Development who will lead the strategic fundraising efforts of the Library by
designing, implementing, evaluating and refining the Library’s development activities.

This is a new position that will be part of the Development Team and report to the Library Director. The
Director of Development will work closely with the development and public engagement teams and other
Library staff to diversify and grow the current fundraising program, which includes taking the lead in donor
recruitment, cultivation, retention, stewardship and appreciation as well as related training. The role includes
significant fundraising office administration and will play a key role in helping to grow our small, but mighty,
development team.

A successful candidate for this position is a self-motivated individual with outstanding organizational and
interpersonal skills, proven attention to detail and follow-through and enthusiasm for public libraries.

Specific Job Duties:

• Identify, research and evaluate prospective individual, corporate and foundation donors to build
prospect pipeline.
• Maintain detailed records of all donor contact, history and moves management; ensure personal
appreciation and recognition is completed in a consistent and timely manner.
• Manage and coordinate a cultivation and stewardship program that includes one-on-one meetings,
cultivation events, regular communications and other initiatives to engage and inform prospective
donors. Conduct in-person cultivation, briefing and solicitation meetings, independently and in
partnership with the Library Director, Library Board, Foundation Board and Library Staff.
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with current and prospective stakeholders,
including the Library Foundation, development colleagues and appropriate board members and/or other
constituents to maximize total gift revenue, plan solicitation strategies and leverage joint solicitation
efforts.
• Develop performance expectations policies for the Foundation Board, create board orientation manual
and manage the board’s strategy. For scheduled meetings, create agenda and follow-up on action items.
• Serve as the liaison to all current and future Library Friends Groups and the Library Director.
• Draft an annual plan of fundraising goals and objectives working with the Library Director, based on
needs and opportunities, and implement the plan.
• Coordinate with staff to identify needs, develop projects and build awareness for funding; create
strategies to match prospects' interests to the priorities of the Library; report on fundraising status for
current programs as well as encourage the identification and support of emerging priorities.
• Research, write, edit and/or oversee the preparation of persuasive and accurate proposals, case
statements, reports, correspondence and other development-related communication materials in
support of the Library’s fundraising activities.
• Work with the public engagement teams to develop and enhance promotion and recognition tools
aimed at individual donors (website, print pieces, email content, story/pic/video library, frames).
• Oversee organization of special events related to fund raising and donor cultivation.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Essential Skills:

• Commitment to the mission and goals of JCFPL.
• Solid understanding of basic fundraising principles.
• Ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information and prepare effective, accurate and timely
reports and other documents to support development objectives.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills; ability to confidently interact with individuals at all
levels and to present effectively to small and large groups.
• Organized, systematic and able to prioritize, schedule and perform complex tasks on time and with
minimal supervision.
• Ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment.
• Community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse
community.
• Able to maintain confidentiality; demonstrate sound judgement and discretion.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Excel.
Preferred Skills:
• Successful track record of soliciting and closing individual, corporate and/or foundation gifts at the
$25,000-$100,000 gift level.
• Knowledge of Jersey City, its inhabitants and/or local corporations.
• Database management skills.

Required Experience:

• Bachelor's degree with at least five years’ experience in development.
• Demonstrated ability in securing major grants and gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations
and/or other private funding sources.
• Experience with fundraising office administration (best-practice, protocol, procedures and record/data
management).
• Experience managing complex projects with specific targets.

This is a Civil Service Job and you must eventually pass and qualify for the applicable Civil Service title.

To apply for this job with the Jersey City Free Public Library, please email your resume as a PDF attachment and note the position applying for in the subject line to HR@jclibrary.org

Please note that this role is subject to the residency requirements set forth by the NJ first Act.