Senior Development Manager

Reports to: Chief Development Officer
Full-Time, Salaried
Date Available: November 2019

The Senior Development Manager is responsible for the vision and execution of two flagship development programs, APF’s annual fall fundraising event Party for the Parks and cultivating and soliciting renewed and new individual prospects for Groundbreakers, our leadership annual fund program. The ideal candidate will be a polished fundraiser who can persuasively communicate the goals and vision of APF to key external and internal partners.

The Senior Manager will adapt and evolve both fundraising programs alongside the growth of APF and the development team. The successful candidate will be a team player and participate in the implementation of a strategy to raise vital funds for Austin Parks Foundation in the most cost-effective and time-efficient manner.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee Annual Fund Leadership Giving Program

• Oversee portfolio of donors and prospects, developing cultivation strategies and personally making solicitations to individuals to join leadership annual fund membership program.
• Work alongside Chief Development Officer to implement goals and strategies to build a major donor pipeline from annual fund leadership giving.
• Create a vision for how to expand annual fund leadership giving to include annual gifts of up to $9,999.
• Develop program content and execute direct mail and email solicitations of Groundbreakers.
• Coordinate all Groundbreaker acquisition and cultivation events, assisting in the creation of event and meeting collateral materials including invitations and handouts.
• Develop robust year-round communication and engagement events to provide an enriching membership experience for Groundbreakers.
• Work collaboratively with Senior Marketing Manager to create Groundbreaker marketing materials, including program and web content.
• Evaluate donor data and make informed recommendations for segmented and targeted individual appeals.

Fundraising Event Management

• Serve as the primary project manager for Austin Park Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year, Party for the Parks, including event committees, auctions, ticket sales, paddles up and oversight of contracted event management company.
• Own overall revenue target for Party for the Parks and manage expense budget.
• Manage vendor coordination and serve as main point of contact for event production.
• In partnership with other members of the development team, discover, qualify and cultivate corporate and individual sponsors.
• Recruit and activate Host Committee for sponsorship, silent auction and ticket sales.
• Create Host Committee working groups to meet revenue goals in sponsorships, silent auction and ticket sales.
• With the marketing team, coordinate event publicity, promotion and event website.
• Work collaboratively with marketing team to design print and email invitations as well as mission-driven event materials.
• Develop project timeline and monitor progress to goal monthly and/or weekly, as needed.
• Ensure all sponsorship benefits are fulfilled.
• Implement pre- and post-event planning and communications to ensure effective results and donor relations.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Strategic Leadership

• This position will be responsible for working with the Chief Development Officer to design and execute Austin Parks Foundation’s yearly fundraising revenue goals.
• As part of a growing development team, contribute to new special projects and administrative duties designated by the Chief Executive Officer.
• Ensure that all relevant donor portfolio information, including that pertaining to Party for the Parks, is recorded and maintained in donor database.

Knowledge/Skills Required

• Overall work experience of 7+ years required, with 3-5 years of direct development-related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Personal and professional confidence with demonstrated track record of engaging executives and senior leaders.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven abilities in managing and stewarding key internal and external partnerships.
• Must have exceptional organizational skills and demonstrated ability to accomplish both broad, visionary assignments as well as complex, detailed projects.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines under pressure, listen carefully, learn quickly and work effectively in a small, mission-driven organization.
• Donor database management experience required.
• Positive attitude, highly motivated and driven to excel.
• Honesty, integrity, and enthusiasm; a very strong work ethic, supported by commitment and follow-through.
• Some evening and weekend work required.

Benefits

APF offers a robust and competitive benefits package that includes health insurance, an IRA with company match, generous time off and much more.

Apply Now

We value collaboration, innovation, dependability and inclusiveness. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity and we are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.

To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume and 3 – 5 professional references below. No phone calls, please.

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION HERE

Advocacy Manager

Reports to: Chief Mission Officer 
Full-Time, Salaried
Date Available: January 1, 2019 

APF is seeking an experienced Advocacy Manager to oversee direct lobbying and grassroots advocacy initiatives. Our ideal candidate is passionate about APF’s mission and is enthusiastic about parks, greenspaces and ensuring that all Austinites have equitable access to great parks. The candidate will be a confident and proactive leader with strengths in relationship-building, communications, and strategic thinking.

Key Responsibilities

Grassroots Advocacy

• Develop and implement community advocacy strategies and initiatives including education, partnership development and thought leadership
• Train and support grassroots advocacy base to: write letters to council, make phone calls, meet with council members, speak at public hearings, give citizen communication, follow up with council staff 
• Identify opportunities and work to convert contacts to advocates: APF park adopters, volunteers, neighborhood associations, past board members, and partner organizations as appropriate 
• Give presentations to community groups to promote advocacy opportunities 
• Schedule meetings between advocates and council offices, and hold pre-meetings with advocates to prepare/strategize/shape agendas, as well as post-meetings for evaluation, planning, and training purposes 
• Lead quarterly partner meetings and represent APF in various coalitions

Direct Lobbying

• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with city council district offices, and work to promote and advance APF’s policy platform
• Represent APF at city council meetings, other city meetings, and with media outlets
• Stay informed and keep leadership up-to-date on relevant local news; city council meeting agendas; local, regional and national city parks issues; and city budgeting and bond processes and cycles 
• Track city council, boards and commissions, relevant working groups/task forces, and other pertinent city meetings, and determine/plan for staff and/or advocate attendance 

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with Chief Mission Officer to develop and execute overarching advocacy strategy
• Work closely with leadership to develop and promote APF’s policy platform
• Support CMO in reviewing parks and recreation department assessments, unmet needs, and strategic plans
• Work with marketing team to provide content for website and plan for advocacy communications
• Support CEO and CMO as needed

Knowledge/Skills Required

• Overall work experience of 7+ years required, with 3+ years of experience in advocacy, government relations, community organizing or city government
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience
• Strong public speaking skills and ability to effectively facilitate meetings
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Superior relationship-building skills, proven abilities in managing and stewarding key partnerships
• Overall familiarity with PARD and the state of Austin’s parks
• Positive attitude, proactive and self-motivated
• Some evening and weekend work required

Benefits

APF offers a robust and competitive benefits package that includes health insurance, an IRA with company match, generous time off and much more. We value collaboration, innovation, dependability and inclusiveness.

We embrace diversity and equal opportunity and we are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. 

To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume and 3 professional references at the link below.

No phone calls, please.

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION HERE

Programs Intern – Spring 2020

Reports to: Outreach Manager
Part-Time, Paid
Non-Exempt, Must be an Austin-area Resident

Austin Parks Foundation partners with our community to enhance people’s lives by making our public parks, trails and green spaces better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy and financial support.

Job Description:

Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented intern to support the programs team with a range of administrative tasks, community outreach, and volunteer program support.

The position will require strong organization and impeccable attention to detail. The ideal candidate will thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment, and will be comfortable taking on new responsibilities as they are assigned. Flexibility, enthusiasm, excellent interpersonal and organizational skills are also required.

Essential Functions (Priority):

Community Outreach 

• Support for Ambassador program:
  • Identifying community or corporate events that align with our mission, for participation by Ambassadors
  • Create events in APF’s volunteer management tool (GivePulse) and help maintain Ambassador calendar
• Support for Park Design Services:
  • Support Park Developer with community input events (surveying, gathering data, and creating reports from the neighborhood input around planned park improvements)
• Support for neighborhood outreach:
  • Support Outreach Manager by identifying neighborhood stakeholder groups’ (neighborhood associations, contact teams) main point of contact in order to present on APF’s programs

Other Programs Support Functions:

As needed:  

• Support Advocacy Manager
  • Assisting with advocacy workshops and preparing materials for meetings with council members 
• Support Volunteer Coordinator
  • Support Volunteer Coordinator  to create projects in GivePulse (volunteer management platform) and create volunteer project forms submitted to the Parks and Recreation Department
• Support Senior Programs Manager
  • Join SPM to meet with prospective and current park stewards as part of the Adopt-A-Park program 
  • Assisting with grants workshops

Intern will gain and/or improve upon his or her: 

• General communication and outreach skills 
• Understanding of inner workings of non-profit organization 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, mission-driven organization 
• Understanding of the role parks play in the health and engagement of community members

Role Requirements

• Self-motivated, attention to detail, and an internal drive to produce high-quality work
• Highly organized and capable of effectively managing multiple priorities while thriving in a fast-paced environment 
• Good decision-making skills
• Excellent interpersonal as well as strong verbal and written communication

Required Qualifications 

• Current undergraduate student
• Proficiency with Google Drive, Microsoft Office and general office software and equipment
• Working Smart Phone to utilize APF’s call routing app
• Ability to pass a driving background check (to operate APF’s vehicle for outreach activities) and reliable transportation (when APF vehicle is unavailable)
• Interest in non-profit industry

Preferred Qualifications 

• Environmental Studies, Public Health, Communications or Sustainability Studies majors 
• Experience working/volunteering in non-profit industry
• Fluency in Spanish

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Physical demands are minimal and typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations – may be required to move event materials weighing up to 20 pounds
• Work environment is typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations – work is done largely in-office
• Required to work some evenings/weekends

Compensation: 

This internship is compensated at $10.00/hr. (paid bi-weekly) for a total of 10 – 15 hours per week for ~13 weeks (September through December). College credit is highly encouraged and available upon school approval.

Ready to apply? Please submit your resume with 3 references and cover letter!

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION HERE

Development & Events Intern – Spring 2020

Reports to: Development Manager
Part-Time, Paid
Non-Exempt, Must be an Austin-area Resident

Austin Parks Foundation partners with our community to enhance people’s lives by making our public parks, trails and green spaces better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy and financial support.

Job Description:

Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented intern to assist with the execution of APF special events and seasonal development operations.

The position will require strong organization and impeccable attention to detail. The ideal candidate will thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment, and will be comfortable taking on new responsibilities as they are assigned. Flexibility, enthusiasm, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with all levels of staff are also required. 

Our interns are supervised directly by a skilled member of our staff and will get to work on real projects with impact. Each seasonal cohort of interns will onboard together, and be welcomed to our office as valued members of the team.  Interns take advantage of many office perks like snacks, special project visits, and a friendly and engaging team environment. We offer all interns cross departmental mentorship opportunities to encourage each intern to interface with our organization as a whole.

Required Skills/Competencies:

A key support role, the Development and Events Intern supports the Development and Marketing teams, provides excellent service to donors and partners (behind the scenes and at public events), and collaborates with the broader APF staff.  Organization and strong (internal and external) customer service skills are required. Professionalism is essential across all communication. 

Essential Functions:

Development – General

• Prepare invoices for sponsors and book pledges
• Provide excellent customer service to donors, providing tax receipts, invoices and giving histories as required.
• Contribute to, assist with development@austinparks.org inbox.
• Prepare materials for Committee, BOD and external meetings.
• Fulfill seasonal stewardship initiatives for APF constituents, including but not limited to membership program swag, birthday cards, activity packets, committee thank yous, invites and holiday cards.
• Represent APF at public events such as Corporate Volunteer projects, town hall meetings, Movies in the Park, etc.
• Document leadership meetings in LGL on a regular, weekly basis.
• Seasonal appeal support with social/web posts, events

Development – Events 

• Assist APF staff and volunteers during 3rd party/community events such as ACL Music Festival, Trail of Lights, Dell Technologies Match Play, Cap10K, etc.
• Assist APF staff and volunteers during fundraising events such as Groundbreakers recruitment, stewardship
• Assist APF staff with corporate cause marketing events (past examples include: Whole Foods 5% Day, Chipotle 25th Anniversary Giveback Day, Outdoor Voices Giveback Night) 
• Gather and distribute supplies for day-of execution of events such as ipads, marketing materials, staff assignments and directions, etc.
• Work closely with APF’s Marketing Intern to build plan for marketing, communications and social media outreach in order to achieve event goals 
• Assist with deadline tracking through Basecamp and ensure internal and external partners are held accountable (with support from Marketing & Development staff)
• Perform other duties as assigned

Party for the Parks 

• Assist with deadline tracking through Basecamp and ensure internal and external partners are held accountable (with support from Marketing & Development staff)
• Contact and follow up with in-kind donor prospects (especially silent auction donors)

Role Requirements

• Self-motivated, extraordinary attention to detail, and an internal drive to produce high-quality work
• Highly organized and capable of effectively managing multiple priorities while thriving in a fast-paced environment 
• Good decision-making skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills as well as strong verbal and written communication

Required Qualifications 

• Current undergraduate student
• Event coordination and/or fundraising experience/interest
• Proficiency with Google Drive, Microsoft Office and general office software and equipment

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Physical demands are minimal and typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations – may be required to move event materials weighing up to 20 pounds
• Work environment is typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations – work is done largely in-office, with some exceptions for 3rd party tabling and volunteer events
• Required to work some evenings and weekends

Compensation: 

This internship is compensated at $10.00/hr. (paid bi-weekly) for a total of 20 hours per week for ~9 weeks (June through August). College credit is highly encouraged and available upon school approval.

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION HERE