Chief Development Officer - Maine Maritime Academy Foundation

About Maine Maritime Academy

Founded in 1941 by an act of the Maine Legislature, Maine Maritime Academy is one of the nation’s premier maritime colleges and a recognized leader in maritime education worldwide. Located on the shores of Penobscot Bay in Castine, Maine, MMA prepares students through rigorous academics, hands‑on experiential learning, and professional training for successful careers as merchant mariners, engineers, logistics professionals, and leaders in the maritime industry.

MMA graduates play a vital role in supporting the U.S. economy and national security by helping to maintain a strong merchant marine fleet. The Academy’s unique mission blends leadership development, technical excellence, and service, producing professionals who excel at sea and ashore. With a proud 85-year history and a new state‑of‑the‑art training ship, TS State of Maine, the Academy continues to set the standard for maritime education.

The Maine Maritime Academy Foundation (MMAF) is seeking a dynamic, results‑driven Chief Development Officer to lead MMAF’s advancement team, while planning, launching, and completing an ambitious comprehensive fundraising campaign. This is a transformative leadership opportunity to design and execute the full campaign lifecycle—from strategic vision and planning through execution and successful close—while building a high‑performing, sophisticated development operation capable of delivering transformational philanthropic support for Maine Maritime Academy.

Reporting directly to the President of the Foundation, the Chief Development Officer will have strong access to the Foundation Board and work in close partnership with the President of Maine Maritime Academy. The CDO will provide strategic and operational leadership to the development team, personally manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, implement disciplined systems and processes, and collaborate with institutional leadership to secure the resources necessary to sustain and advance Maine Maritime Academy’s global reputation as one of the world’s premier maritime institutions.

The successful candidate will join at a moment of significant momentum, with strong Board engagement, and committed institutional leadership.

• Lead the full lifecycle of a comprehensive campaign, including strategy development, case for support refinement, prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Personally manage a high‑value portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and donors, with a primary focus on securing 6‑ and 7‑figure gifts. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift donors and prospects in coordination with faculty, Academy leadership, and volunteers.
• Partner directly with the President of Maine Maritime Academy to manage a portfolio of 40–50 high‑net‑worth individuals and key relationships.
• Build, coach, and lead a high‑performing development team.
• Lead the development team in planning and implementing long‑ and short‑term strategies to secure gifts from individuals through major, planned, and annual gifts.
• Mentor, train, supervise, and evaluate staff; stay abreast of best practices in the development profession, evaluating new and emerging ideas for possible implementation.
• Design and implement scalable fundraising systems, processes, and reporting tools that drive accountability and measurable results.
• Establish measurable goals to increase fundraising results that are both aspirational and achievable
• Serve as a key strategic partner to the Foundation President and Board of Directors, preparing clear, compelling materials and presentations for Board meetings.
• Ensure disciplined use of Bloomerang CRM for prospect management, moves management, reporting, and forecasting.
• Foster a culture of data‑driven decision making, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Cultivate authentic, long‑term relationships with alumni, corporations, foundations, and high‑net‑worth individuals who share a passion for maritime education, leadership development, and the Academy’s mission.

Required:

• 7–10+ years of progressive…