OVERVIEW

Reporting to the President and CEO and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the Executive Vice President (EVP) of Development will lead Klyde Warren Park’s comprehensive development strategy across individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundations, membership, and special events.

This individual will have exceptional interpersonal skills and the presence, judgment, and discretion necessary to represent a high-profile civic organization. They will be equally comfortable developing fundraising strategies, cultivating major donors and corporate partners, working alongside Board members, and leading a small development team.

The EVP of Development will have a strong network in Dallas and a deep understanding of the philanthropic and corporate community. Working closely with the President and CEO, Board of Directors, and development team, the EVP will ensure Klyde Warren Park has the resources necessary to remain one of Dallas’ most vibrant and welcoming public spaces.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Development Leadership: Create and execute a development strategy that supports Klyde Warren Park’s annual operating needs, strategic priorities, and long-term growth. Establish clear goals, priorities, and metrics across all fundraising channels and maintain accountability for achieving revenue targets.

• Major Gifts and Donor Development: Build and manage a portfolio of significant individual, corporate, and foundation relationships. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective donors, creating thoughtful strategies that deepen engagement and increase philanthropic investment in Klyde Warren Park.

• Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Lead the strategy for corporate giving and sponsorships, strengthening existing partnerships while identifying new opportunities for meaningful engagement. Ensure sponsorship opportunities are compelling, appropriately valued, and that benefits are fully delivered.

• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop a small team with responsibility for donor relations, membership, sponsorships, special events, database management, and stewardship.

• Fundraising Events and Engagement: Provide leadership for fundraising and donor engagement events, including our annual fundraiser “Party in the Park” and other signature initiatives. Work with staff and volunteer leadership to maximize both revenue and relationship-building opportunities associated with these events.

• Donor Stewardship and Retention: Develop a comprehensive approach to donor stewardship and ensure the development team delivers timely, accurate, and professional donor communications, acknowledgments, recognition, and benefits.

• Revenue Planning and Performance: Partner with the President and CEO and Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration to establish annual development goals, budgets, and revenue projections. Monitor fundraising performance, provide regular reports to organizational and Board leadership, and adjust strategies as necessary to achieve objectives.

• Development Operations and Data: Ensure strong development infrastructure, systems, and processes, including effective use of Raiser’s Edge. Use data and analytics to inform strategy and improve fundraising performance.

• Cross-Functional and Organizational Leadership: Collaborate closely with Programming, Events, Marketing, Operations and Finance departments to connect fundraising opportunities with Klyde Warren Park’s strategic priorities. As a member of the senior leadership team, contribute to broader organizational strategy, culture, and decision-making.

• Policy Adherence: Ensure all fundraising activities comply with organizational policies and procedures, maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency.

• Additional Duties: Perform other tasks as assigned to support the organization’s mission and objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible fundraising, development, corporate partnership, or related experience.

• Prior leadership experience, including talent management and development.

• Demonstrated success developing and executing fundraising strategies and consistently achieving ambitious revenue goals.

• Experience with corporate sponsorship strategy, fundraising events, and donor engagement programs.

• Strong knowledge of and relationships within the Dallas philanthropic and corporate community, with proven experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts.

• Experience working effectively with a President and CEO, board members, volunteer leaders and other high-level stakeholders.

• Strong business and financial acumen, with experience developing revenue projections, managing expenses to board-approved budgets, and using data effectively and strategically.

• Experience with Raiser’s Edge or comparable fundraising CRM systems.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop persuasive proposals, presentations, and donor communications.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, highly visible environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods of time, including during events, with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Ability to lift or move objects of up to 25 pounds for event support, with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Ability to engage with guests, partners, and staff in a public-facing environment, with or without reasonable accommodations.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT DISCLAIMER

This job description is not intended to create an employment contract, express or implied, and does not alter the at-will nature of employment with Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation. Employment may be terminated at any time, with or without cause or notice, by either the employee or the organization, subject to any applicable legal requirements. This job description may be modified at any time at the sole discretion of the organization.

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