Senior Director of Institutional Advancement

Posted: August 12, 2026
Expires: October 11, 2026

Leads WGTE's institutional advancement efforts with a primary focus on cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major donors to advance the organization's mission and long-term financial sustainability. Provides strategic leadership for fundraising initiatives and coordinates cross-functional advancement efforts by working in partnership with the leaders of Member Services, Business Development, Marketing/Communications and the contracted Grants Administrator to align fundraising, membership, sponsorship, grant and communication strategies with organizational priorities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Major Gifts and Philanthropic Development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major donors and prospective donors.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with individuals, foundations,corporations and community leaders to increase philanthropic support. Partner with the President & CEO on leadership gifts, major gift solicitations and transformational giving opportunities.
• Develop and expand planned giving initiatives to strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
• Maintain an active portfolio of major donor prospects and establish strategies fordonor cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship.

Fundraising and Institutional Advancement Strategy

• Align the organization's overall fundraising strategy, including annual giving,membership growth initiatives, major gifts, planned giving, corporate sponsor ships,underwriting and grants.
• Coordinate institutional advancement initiatives across Member Services, Business Development, Marketing/Communications and the contracted Grants Administrator to ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• Partner with Member Services to develop strategies that retain existing members,recruit new members and expand Benefactor Circle participation.
• Identify new philanthropic, corporate, and community funding opportunities that diversify and strengthen revenue.
• Monitor fundraising performance and recommend strategies that maximize contributed revenue.

Stakeholder Engagement and Community Partnerships

• Represent WGTE with major donors, corporate leaders, foundation representatives, government officials, sponsors and community partners.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships that strengthen philanthropic investment and community engagement.
• Serve as an ambassador for WGTE by building relationships that advance the organization's mission and visibility throughout the region.

Philanthropic Events and Donor Engagement

• Provide strategic leadership for philanthropic events that support donor cultivation,stewardship and fundraising objectives.
• Collaborate with internal staff, volunteers, sponsors and community partners to develop and execute fundraising events that strengthen donor relationships and increase philanthropic support.
• Partner with Marketing/Communications and Business Development to ensure fundraising events align with organizational messaging, sponsorship opportunities and community engagement goals.
• Work with the President & CEO to identify opportunities for donor recognition, cultivation and stewardship through special events and organizational activities.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of philanthropic events and recommend strategies toenhance donor engagement, financial performance and community impact.

Marketing, Communications and Cross-Department Collaboration

• Partner with the Marketing/Communications team to align messaging and campaigns with fundraising and donor engagement strategies.
• Collaborate with Business Development and Member Services to support sponsorship, membership and donor initiatives.
• Coord…