Senior Director of Development

Overview

Salary:$115,000-$120,000

Schedule:
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
- In-person 3 days per week

We seek a dynamic and experienced Senior Director of Development to join our team and lead development efforts to support and sustain our impactful work. The Senior Director of Development will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive fundraising strategy to advance Advocates mission and grow our financial stability. This role requires a strategic and innovative leader with exceptional communication skills, a strong background in nonprofit development, and a passion for the organization's mission.

This leadership position demands a solution-oriented individual who enjoys working as part of a team. This is the organization’s first senior position within the development function.

The Senior Director of Development is a strategic and relationship-driven fundraising leader responsible for advancing the organization’s philanthropic goals through individual giving, institutional grants, events, and donor engagement initiatives. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Senior Director serves as a key member of the 15-person Advancement team, partnering closely with colleagues across development, marketing, and communications, and engagement functions to drive integrated fundraising strategies and donor stewardship.

This position manages a small but high-performing team and maintains an active portfolio of donors and grant funders. The Senior Director plays a central role in building sustainable philanthropic support, strengthening donor relationships and helping shape the organization’s culture of philanthropy.

At Advocates, we provide comprehensive services for people facing developmental, mental health, or other life challenges.

We’re a nonprofit, mission-driven organization with a person-centered approach, empowering the individuals we support to make choices, build independence, and live full, meaningful lives. Our work is rooted in respect, compassion, and inclusion, and we envision a world where individual differences are appreciated and celebrated.

At Advocates, we value the ideas, experiences, and contributions of employees and are committed to fostering a supportive, welcoming culture where everyone can grow and thrive.

Bachelor's Degree

• Manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors, institutional funders, and prospects through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Personally solicit major gifts and oversee grant opportunities to support annual and strategic fundraising goals.
• Develop and execute strategies to increase donor retention, engagement, and philanthropic investment.
• Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer on campaign planning, fundraising priorities, and donor strategy.
• Prepare donor proposals, briefing materials, reports, and stewardship communications as needed.

• Supervise and support potentially three direct reports:
  Database Specialist, Event Manager, Grant Writer.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and mission-driven team culture.
• Provide coaching, goal setting, and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Ensure strong cross-functional coordination among development operations, events, grants, and communications efforts.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Chief Advancement Officer in advancing organizational fundraising goals.
• Partner with marketing & communications colleagues to align donor messaging, campaigns, storytelling, and engagement strategies.
• Contribute to annual planning, budgeting, and reporting for Advancement initiatives.
• Utilize data and fundraising metrics to evaluate performance and inform strategy adjustments.

• Oversee fundraising and stewardship events in collaboration with the Event Manager and broader Advancement team.
• Represent the organization at donor meetings, community events, and public-facing opportunities.
• Support board and volunteer engagement in fundraising activities where appropriate.

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
• Min…