Every day we use the power of other people’s opinions, insights and experiences to make decisions.  The same way we look to Yelp to help us find where to go to dinner, Rotten Tomatoes to help us decide what movie to see or Trip Advisor on where to vacation and what hotel to stay in.   So why don’t our veterans have those same tools available to them when decided on where to go for healthcare, job opportunities, family assistance or education and training?

WarriorGateway.org is harnessing the power of technology and collaboration to help today’s veterans make better decisions about what government program or non-profit organization to go to for help.  Warrior Gateway leverages the social dimension by encouraging these “voices of the veteran” to include ratings about the quality and effectiveness of those services and to include short comments and tips to help other community members decide where to go.

We are dedicated to empowering our veterans to share their experiences and help the overall community but also, give them a voice to highlight those programs and organizations that are not meeting their needs.  Launched in March 2010, the Warrior Gateway is the only effort that is focused on providing these individuals with a forum to publically share their experiences.  It’s about time our veterans had a voice.

Warrior Gateway seeks a Chief Operating Officer / Chief Development Officer to create, lead and implement a fundraising strategy that will increase the Warrior Gateway’s ability to expand current and untapped funding sources as well as identify and prioritize new possible funding streams.  Reporting to the CEO, the COO/CDO will provide overall direction, coordination and implementation of the organization’s fundraising operations.  This is a hands on role!

This is an important position at Warrior Gateway and this individual will serve as a member of the dynamic management team, providing the strategic vision and leadership necessary to plan and execute a development plan that ensures Warrior Gateway’s continued independence.

This is an ideal opportunity for a highly motivated, entrepreneurial and strategic-minded individual to build a new function by leveraging the organization’s successful track record in fundraising and expanding on its solid base.

The Chief Operating Officer / Chief Development Officer is a broad role focused on the following:

• Managing the day-to-day operations of the entire Warrior Gateway team
• Coordinating Warrior Gateway’s involvement in various non-profit and veteran-focused coalitions
• Supporting the development and execution of partnerships with other NGO and governmental organizations
• Leading the communications with partners and other strategic contacts
• Contributing to the idea-generation process by identifying potential resources and partnerships as well as new opportunities for current partners
• Managing development of success stories, as well as online and offline content to communicate the breadth and benefit of partnering with the Warrior Gateway
• Managing data on all past, current and potential contacts
• Working collaboratively to research, develop, execute and establish evaluation metrics for all opportunities

Key responsibilities of the role:

• Facilitate the creation and implementation of a multi-million annual fundraising plan for Warrior Gateway, including long-term income goals and strategies, in consultation with the CEO and the Warrior Gateway Board
• Maintain and manage relationships with existing individual, foundation and corporate funders
• Research, identify and cultivate new foundation, individual and corporate sponsor prospects; develop compelling proposals and reports as needed; support CEO outreach to prospects and donors; and pitch prospects alone and/or with the CEO or Board members
• Identify and explore opportunities for corporate and individual support with an emphasis on unrestricted giving, further diversifying funding streams, while ensuring the Warrior Gateway’s continued independence and reputation for breakthrough thinking
• Advise and coach the CEO, staff and Board members on solicitations and the development of prospect cultivation and donor stewardship activities, enabling them to successfully raise funds and meet the ongoing challenges of a first-rate institution
• Advise the senior staff on ways to expand income and exposure from conferences and meetings
• Ensure the highest quality in fundraising communications and promotional materials, including proposals, applications, correspondence, reports, budgetary and program information, and monitoring.

Required Skills:

• Excellent writing, communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Entrepreneurial spirit and an ability to think beyond the traditional
• Resourceful, innovative, and forward-thinking
• Ability to meet deadlines and juggle several projects in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to work long hours when necessary
• Ability to be a team player
• Awareness and understanding of the landscape of the veteran community (including resources, non-profits, government support, etc.)

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS: An ideal candidate will bring the following professional experience and personal characteristics:

• A passion for and commitment to the mission of Warrior Gateway
• Demonstrated record of progressively responsible experience in a non-profit fundraising position, preferably at the Director level.  Experience using both traditional and online strategies is preferred.
• An ability to communicate effectively the critical need for solutions to the eliminate the gaps in connecting the Sea of Goodwill to those in the military community
• Deep desire for networking and relationship building
• Innovative strategic thinking coupled with a keen intellect and curiosity
• Sophistication, with the intellectual depth and maturity to coach and work with dynamic executives, staff, Board members and others in development-related activities
• Excellent written, presentation and communication skills and the experience and inclination to be an effective, outgoing spokesperson for Warrior Gateway
• A strategic and comprehensive approach to planning and decision making; the ability to back assertions with facts and data; a strong management record with proven success in producing results
• Exceptional organizational skills with an eye for detail; the highest degree of professionalism and follow-through
• A collegial, consultative and team-building approach that puts others at ease and engenders trust; the ability to actively listen, with an appreciation for nuance in communication
• Unquestioned integrity and a commitment to the highest ethical standards
• The intellectual strength and curiosity to understand and appreciate the varied and complex pursuits of the product and program staff and the ability to translate that understanding to the layperson
• A friendly and supportive working style that brings out the best in colleagues
• An optimistic outlook and a flexible, innovative nature
• A sense of humor
• An undergraduate degree is required; an advanced degree or CFRE certification is preferred
• This position requires significant travel
• Those with prior military experience encouraged to apply

This is an executive level role, depending on experience.   If you’re interested in joining the team, please provide a cover letter along with your resume.  In the cover letter, please tell us what inspires you about the Warrior Gateway and why you think you are the perfect applicant for this position.  This is a key position and a unique opportunity to join a growing organization with a uniquely inspiring mission.

Email all applications with a resume and cover letter to: resumes@warriorgateway.org with COO/CDO in the subject line.  Applications without a cover letter will not be looked at nor considered.