Introduction:
Columbus Parks and Recreation works to enhance our community’s quality of life by maintaining our parks, trails, and green spaces. Currently, Columbus Parks and Recreation is growing and managing over 1,000 acres of park land, 24 parks, and 27 miles of trails to help attract tourism and new businesses, provide welcome spaces for community members to gather, and create safe places for our community members to play and be healthy. As a member of the Parks and Recreation team, you will be vital in promoting these amenities to all community members. We recently added the NexusPark facilities and grounds to our management umbrella. The City of Columbus and Parks and Recreation has collaborated with Columbus Regional Health to develop the former Fair Oaks Mall into a health and wellness hub for our community members and visitors. If you would like to be a part of this fun and exciting work environment, you can apply online at: https://cbusinparks.com/fulltimejobs. If you need assistance, accommodations or do not have access to the internet elsewhere, call or email City Human Resources 812-376-2570 or to make an appointment to apply in person. We welcome all applicants.
Employee Benefits:
The City of Columbus offers a competitive benefits package to all full-time employees. This includes a comprehensive health insurance plan that begins on the first day of employment, with no waiting period. The City also currently contributes 14.2% of the employee’s annual income to the Indiana Public Employees Retirement Fund for every full-time employee, which is a guaranteed pension plan to help set employees up for retirement. The City also provides each employee with $50,000 in life insurance along with short-term and long-term disability plans that are 100% paid for by the City. The city has also added the Employee Health Partners clinic at the NexusPark facility available for employees and any dependents on the city health insurance plan. These are just a few of the benefits offered to full-time employees. To see a more in-depth list visit: https://www.columbus.in.gov/employee-benefits/.
Summary of Functional Responsibilities:
The Resource Development Manager serves as the Parks & Recreation Department's lead fundraising and development professional. This position is responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive resource development strategy that secures philanthropic support through major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, planned giving, annual campaigns, and special fundraising initiatives. Working collaboratively with the Parks Foundation Board, Department leadership, community partners, and donors, this position develops sustainable revenue streams that support the Department's strategic priorities, capital projects, scholarships, programs, and long-term financial sustainability.
The Resource Development Manager also serves as the primary liaison to the Parks Foundation, providing strategic support that advances fundraising efforts while fostering meaningful relationships with donors, sponsors, and community stakeholders.
Specific Duties of the Position:
Primary Fundraising & Development Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute a comprehensive annual resource development strategy aligned with the Department's Strategic Plan and Capital Improvement Plan.
- Develop and implement annual fundraising campaigns that increase philanthropic revenue through diversified funding sources.
- Develop and manage an active donor pipeline by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and recognizing individual, corporate, and foundation donors, with emphasis on securing major gifts and sponsorships.
- Develop and manage corporate sponsorship and philanthropic partnership opportunities.
- Identify, prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals from private, corporate, state, and federal funding sources, including grant reporting requirements.
- Develop and expand planned giving and legacy giving opportunities.
- Work with Department leadership to identify fundable projects and develop compelling cases for support.
- Serves as the primary staff liaison to the Parks Foundation.
- Provide strategic staff support to the Parks Foundation Board and its committees to advance fundraising, donor cultivation, campaign planning, and community engagement.
- Coordinate fundraising priorities and initiatives between the Parks Foundation and Parks Department, working with Foundation leadership to establish annual fundraising goals and strategies.
- Coordinate volunteer engagement related to fundraising campaigns and special events, as appropriate.
- Ensure timely donor acknowledgment, recognition, and stewardship in coordination with Foundation administrative processes.
Performance Expectations
- Increase annual philanthropic revenue through diversified funding sources.
- Secure major gifts and sponsorships from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Submit a targeted number of competitive grant applications annually.
- Meet annual fundraising goals established jointly with the Director and Parks Foundation.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, communications, business, marketing, fundraising, or a related field.
- Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, development, philanthropy, or nonprofit advancement.
- Demonstrated success securing major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and philanthropic partnerships.
- Experience managing donor relationships through all stages of cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and recognition.
- Experience developing and implementing annual fundraising strategies and campaigns.
- Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential preferred.
- Valid Indiana Driver's License.
Judgment:
- Work is of a high degree of difficulty and complexity and is performed under direction of the Associate Director of Business Services, with considerable latitude granted for exercise of independent judgment.
Supervisory Responsibility:
- The Resource Development Manager supervises a variety of volunteers on various projects but has no direct reports.
Relationships Responsibility:
- Builds trusted relationships with donors, corporate leaders, foundations, elected officials, community organizations, and philanthropic partners.
- Represents the Department as its primary fundraising professional within the community.
- Provides the highest service standards possible when working with fellow employees and customers(internal & external).
- Establishes and maintains strong relationships with donors and volunteers.
Working Conditions:
- Must be able and willing to work late hours, weekends, or holidays when needed
Must reside in Bartholomew County or adjoining county within six (6) months of employment.
This position is Safety-Sensitive and is subject to the City’s Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Program which includes: pre-employment testing, random testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return-to-duty testing, and follow-up testing, and annual BMV checks for all drivers.
This description is intended to describe the type of and level of work performed by the person assigned to the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by a person, and employees at the city may be given other assignments at will.
Equal Opportunity Employer
M/F/D/V
*All potential applicants are encouraged to apply, and if you need an accommodation or help to apply online, please call 812.376.2570 to make an appointment or email [email protected].
Pay: $47,320.00 - $61,490.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Dependent health insurance coverage
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
