Senior Director of Development

Our client, a Houston social services non‑profit organization whose mission is to advance educational outcomes through support, resources, and programs, is seeking a Senior Director of Development. As a core member of the organization’s leadership team, this Senior Director will be responsible for driving philanthropic revenue, strengthening donor relationships, and building the systems and team required to support long‑term organizational growth.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this role owns the strategy and execution of individual giving and major gifts, leads key donor relationships, and partners closely with the Board to expand the organization’s philanthropic footprint.

• Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive fundraising strategy to achieve current fiscal year revenue goals, while building the pipeline, systems, and donor engagement strategies needed to support sustained year‑over‑year growth, with an emphasis on expanding major gifts and individual giving.
• Personally manage and lead a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, owning the full major gifts lifecycle—including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Establish annual stewardship that engages and cultivates donors at all levels.
• Activate and expand an existing, underutilized donor base by identifying opportunities.
• Oversee grant reporting, submissions, and stewardship of existing, lapsed, and new institutions.
• Provide strategic oversight for two primary fundraising events.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure fundraising events are well‑executed and aligned with broader organizational goals.
• Ensure consistent, thoughtful donor stewardship across all giving levels.

• Develop a 3‑to‑5‑year fundraising strategy aligned with organizational growth goals.
• Create a clear case for support to secure new, lapsed, and existing donors.
• Inform executive‑level decision‑making through fundraising data, donor insights, and revenue forecasting.
• Assess revenue mix and diversification opportunities, including individual giving growth, board giving, and institutional funding.
• Analyze fundraising performance, donor trends, and pipeline activity.
• Maintain accurate donor records and reporting within Salesforce, ensuring data integrity and actionable insights.

• Support and engage the Board of Directors in development activities.
• Represent the organization at fundraising events, community engagements, and donor meetings as needed.

• Manage and support a growing development team, currently including an Event Manager and contractors for grant writing and marketing/design.
• Partner with leadership to assess future staffing needs.
• Establish clear goals, accountability frameworks, and performance metrics
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• Foster a collaborative, high‑performing, and mission‑driven team culture grounded in ownership, transparency, and results.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and clear performance expectations to build team capacity and support professional growth.

• Partner with internal teams on communications, external affairs, and digital engagement (including website, social media, and donor communications) to support fundraising objectives.
• Ensure alignment between fundraising initiatives and organizational programs serving students.

• Minimum of 7+ years of fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in individual giving and major gifts.
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, including experience securing gifts of $25K or more.
• Strong local presence and network within the Houston philanthropic community.
• Experience managing and developing small teams.
• Familiarity with fundraising systems;
  Salesforce experience preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, with willingness to be in the office two to three days per week and attend in‑person meetings and events as required.
• An authentic and clear passion for the organization’s mission and an approach to fundraising that is aligned to our organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Background in education or youth‑serving nonprofits is helpful but not required.