DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT at undefined

The Director of Development reports to the Chief Development Officer and leads a team of development professionals, sets revenue targets, and drives innovation to expand reach, deepen donor engagement, and maximize revenue impact. As a strategic leader, the Director collaborates cross-functionally with executive leadership and other Development teams or Departments to align donor strategies with organizational priorities and mission outcomes. This role is accountable for donor pipe-line growth, significant personal revenue generation, team performance, staff development, donor stewardship, and ensuring campaign alignment with the Ronald McDonald House New York’s strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee the Individual Giving program (Major Gifts and Strategic Plan Campaign), raising $5M in unrestricted and restricted annual gifts from individuals, with contributions ranging from $5K to $1M+. Manage renewals, upgrades, lapsed donors, and acquisition of new gifts.
• Elevate the Stewardship Processes of the Department and implement a comprehensive strategy to strengthen, grow, and track individual giving revenue.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of RMH-NY’s mission, programs, services, needs, and priorities.
• Supervise a team of development professionals by setting clear goals, managing performance, providing appropriate and regular oversite, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Optimize team structure and staffing to ensure high performance, balanced workloads, and alignment with campaign needs.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and professional development to staff at all levels, building fundraising capacity and career growth pathways.
• Independently manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors through all phases of the giving cycle: identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, negotiation, and stewardship.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to align development goals and deliverables with organizational strategy.
• Monitor and analyze team performance using KPIs and CRM data to inform coaching, planning, and strategic adjustments.
• Partner with other development divisions to deepen donor relationships and identify opportunities for collaboration and growth. Champion innovation, cross-team collaboration, and operational efficiency by promoting idea-sharing and best practices.
• Write compelling proposals, briefing memos, talking points, and event invitations.
• Manage donor communications and follow-up, including preparing proposals and writing detailed contact reports for all prospects and donors.
• Collaborate with development and communications teams to create and manage fundraising collateral, including print and digital materials. Contribute to newsletters, social media, and organizational storytelling.
• Conduct ongoing research to identify potential donors and implement strategies to secure new gifts and increase current contributions.
• Attend internal and external events regularly to identify and cultivate new prospects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Business, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Public Relations, or a related field required; master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in fundraising or development.
• Proficiency in data analytics and CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) to inform decision-making and improve campaign outcomes.
• Proven success managing complex portfolios, budgets, and logistics with strategic innovation.
• Strong leadership skills, including coaching, performance management, and team workload balancing.
• Demonstrated experience in donor stewardship and relationship management.
• Experience cultivating and activating major donors through strategic partnerships and collaboration.
• Prior history of identifying revenue opportunities through effective prospecting and donor engagement.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence in development processes and donor experience.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to foster cross-functional collaboration and an inclusive team culture.
• Able to adapt to onsite (open concept office) as well as offsite work environments
• Resilient and solutions-oriented leader who thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments.