Senior Director of Development

OVERVIEW OF CURE

CURE Epilepsy is a parent-founded nonprofit that is laser-focused on research to find a cure for epilepsy. Epilepsy is a complex, often debilitating neurological disorder that will affect 1 in 26 Americans in their lifetime. One-third of people with epilepsy are uncontrolled on medication, and even those for whom medications work often face horrible side effects. Since its inception in 1998, CURE Epilepsy has raised more than $100 million to fund research and other initiatives that will lead the way to cures.

Our work has already led to incredible advancements for the community. Research is our greatest hope of finding a cure and each discovery brings us closer to achieving freedom from seizures and medication side effects for people living with epilepsy. Join us as we lead the search for a cure.

The Senior Director of Development reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and serves as a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy, and advancing CURE Epilepsy's mission through visionary fundraising leadership. This leader will oversee and strengthen CURE Epilepsy's comprehensive development program, driving sustainable revenue growth while building a high-performing, donor-centered culture that supports continued investment in groundbreaking epilepsy research.

Working in close partnership with the Leadership Team, the Senior Director will provide strategic leadership for CURE Epilepsy's integrated fundraising program, ensuring that major gifts, annual giving, institutional philanthropy, planned giving, events, and donor engagement work together to achieve ambitious revenue goals. Success in this role will be measured not only by revenue growth, but by strengthening the people, systems, partnerships, and culture that sustain long-term philanthropic success.

The Senior Director will build, coach, and inspire a talented development team responsible for generating $6M+ annually and growing in philanthropic support while positioning the organization for continued growth and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. As an enterprise leader, this individual will champion data-informed decision-making, strengthen fundraising operations and performance, and cultivate a culture of shared fundraising ownership across staff and the Board of Directors.

This role sits at the intersection of scientific innovation and philanthropy, ensuring that promising research is translated into compelling opportunities for donors to accelerate breakthroughs that improve the lives of people living with epilepsy. Because CURE Epilepsy funds cutting-edge scientific research, this leader must be equally comfortable engaging donors and collaborating with scientific colleagues. The successful candidate will translate complex research concepts into compelling, donor-focused stories that inspire philanthropic investment and clearly communicate how research is accelerating the path toward cures for epilepsy.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, collaborative, and results-oriented fundraising executive who combines strong business acumen with emotional intelligence. They are an exceptional relationship builder, inspiring people manager, and persuasive communicator who connects scientific discovery with donor passion. Energized by building organizations as much as building donor relationships, they thrive on creating strategy, developing talent, strengthening systems, and translating world-class science into philanthropy that accelerates cures for epilepsy.

• Lead and strengthen an integrated development organization that aligns fundraising strategy and operations with communications and scientific priorities.
• Serve as a strategic member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational planning, decision-making, and long-term growth.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy and shared fundraising ownership across staff, leadership, and the Board.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to strengthen fundraising engagement, identify new philanthropic opportunities, and support board development activities.
• Promote innovation, continuous improvement, and data-informed decision-making throughout the development function.

• Lead the development and implementation of a multi-year fundraising strategy that grows and diversifies philanthropic revenue across all giving channels.
• Establish annual fundraising goals, performance metrics, and key performance indicators to drive sustainable growth.

• Identify emerging philanthropic opportunities and adapt fundraising strategies to capitalize on changing donor trends and organizational priorities.

• Develop integrated donor strategies that coordinate the efforts of the CEO, Principal & Strategic Gifts Officer, Board members, and development staff to maximize philanthropic outcomes.
• Personally manage a…