Chief Development Officer

Chief Development Officer

Salt Lake City Public Library

Salary: $107,000 - $134,000/annually
Posted: November 27, 2024
Closes: Open until filled, with preference given to candidates who apply by Jan. 6, 2025
FLSA Status: Full-time/Exempt
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

About the Library

The City Library builds foundations for equity, connection and limitless possibility. We are active in our community and collaborate to address needs and realize aspirations. We connect people to information, resources, experiences, and each other. For the past 126 years, our work has sustained a vibrant Salt Lake City. Guided by our Strategic Roadmap and a deep understanding of the aspirations, needs, and motivations of our patrons, The City Library takes a human-centered approach to designing and delivering meaningful services, collections, resources, spaces, programs and events to all members of the community.

Library staff are highly engaged, purpose-driven, people-centered, and express a high level of satisfaction with their work. The City Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

Click here to learn more about what makes The City Library a great place to work and why Salt Lake City is a great place to call home.

The Opportunity

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will play a pivotal role in helping to launch the newly established Salt Lake City Library Foundation, expanding and accelerating the Library’s services to the community and building upon the 60-year history of the Friends of the City Library in engaging community members to expand the Library’s impact. Reporting to the City Library CEO, the CDO will lead all aspects of fundraising, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns, corporate and foundation support, and events. The ideal candidate will have a passion for literacy, learning, and community engagement, and a proven track record in building successful development programs from the ground up. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the philanthropic future of a world-renowned urban library system and to contribute to its mission to enrich the lives of community members through diverse programming, resources, and cultural engagement.

Primary Responsibilities

Fundraising Leadership and Strategy

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the library and its newly created foundation, aligning with the library's mission and vision.
• Serve as the Executive Director of the SLC Library Foundation, providing oversight and guidance of all Foundation fundraising and advocacy efforts.
• Establish foundational systems, processes, and policies for efficient and effective fundraising operations.
• Collaborate with the Library CEO, Library Board of Directors, and Foundation Board of Trustees to set ambitious yet achievable fundraising goals. Equip Foundation Board as active partners in the Library’s fundraising efforts.
• Build the structure and strategy for a comprehensive development program, including donor cultivation, grant writing, and fundraising campaigns, while serving as the primary supervisor for new development staff as the department grows.
• Champion the library’s strategic goals and initiatives with the library’s mission and core values in mind.
• Perform other duties and collaborate on organization-wide initiatives as deemed necessary or as delegated by the CEO.

Donor Relations, Annual Giving, and Events

• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects, securing transformative gifts that will support the library’s priorities and future success.
• Build and sustain relationships with individuals, corporations, and foundations to foster long-term support. Oversee personalized stewardship efforts to ensure donors feel appreciated and engaged with the library’s mission.
• Develop and grow the library's annual giving program, leveraging direct mail, digital fundraising, and personal outreach to build a broad base of support.
• Plan and execute fundraising events that engage a diverse cross-section of community stakeholders and generate revenue.
• Partner with marketing and communications to raise awareness and visibility of the foundation's mission and impact.

Advocacy and Capital Campaign Development

• Provide guidance and support to “Friends of the City Library,” the volunteer and advocacy program of the Library Foundation, ensuring their awareness of the Library’s needs and priorities.
• Partner with the CEO to align bonding and fundraising plans with future capital projects of the Library.
• Actively collaborate with Library’s Public Service, Community Engagement, and Marketing departments to ensure continuity of messaging.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in development, with a successful track record in major gift fundraising and donor relations.
• Experience launching and building a development program, ideally within a nonprofit, public, or cultural organization.
• Demonstrated success in securing significant major gifts ($100,000+), including cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Proven ability to work effectively with boards, donors, and other community stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, with a passion for libraries and a commitment to advancing literacy, learning, and opportunity for all.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Familiarity with CRM or donor management software.
• Knowledge of the local community and philanthropic landscape.
• Experience in foundation management and planned giving.
• Experience participating in capital campaigns.

Working Environment

• Work is performed in an office environment
• Normal stress related to working in a busy, public institution.

Schedule

• Full-time, 40 hours per week. Typically business hours Monday–Friday, 9 am to 6 pm. Including evenings and weekends. The position may require occasional travel.

Other Information

• Completion of criminal background check will be required if the candidate is over eighteen (18) years of age.
• The City Library participates in the federal Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). Employment is contingent upon confirmation of your employment eligibility through the E-verify system.
• The City Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

Compensation

• Grade 25; Minimum $107,000 to $134,000/annually depending on qualifications and experience.
• This is a full time position and includes excellent benefits such as paid vacation, health and life insurance, and Utah State retirement benefits.

How to Apply

• Send an email with an attached résumé and cover letter (PDF or Word Document) indicating position title to the Human Resources Department at hrlib@slcpl.org.
• This position will be open until filled, first application review will take place on Jan. 6, 2025