Director of Development chez Penobscot Bay YMCA

Description

Join Us in Building a Stronger, Healthier Future for Our Community

The Penobscot Bay YMCA is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and mission-driven Director of Development to lead our fundraising and advancement efforts — helping us strengthen the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. 

As a key member of our executive team, the Director of Development will guide all aspects of philanthropy — from major gifts and annual campaigns to corporate sponsorships, grant writing, and community events. You’ll work alongside our CEO, Board of Directors, and community partners to ignite transformation and build a brighter future for individuals and families across Knox County. 

What You'll Do:

• Design and implement a comprehensive development strategy that advances our mission and ensures the Y’s long-term financial health.
• Cultivate and steward meaningful relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Lead engaging fundraising campaigns and special events that celebrate the Y’s impact and expand our community of supporters.
• Collaborate with staff to craft compelling marketing and communications that inspire giving and connect people to our cause.
• Serve as a community ambassador — elevating the Y’s visibility, fostering partnerships, and positioning us as a leader in fitness & wellness services and youth & community development.

What We're Looking For:

• 5+ years of proven success in fundraising and donor development.
• Exceptional relationship-building, strategic planning, and communication skills.
• Experience leading major gift campaigns, grant writing, and sponsorship programs.
• A passion for mission-driven work and the ability to inspire others to give generously.
• Strong project management skills, data fluency, and comfort working in a fast-paced, flexible environment.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive Salary – Commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive Benefits – PTO, paid holidays, health, dental, vision insurance, life & disability coverage
• Retirement Program – 10% match from the YMCA after two years
• Family Membership Perks – Enjoy a free annual YMCA membership ($972 value!)
• A Role That Makes a Difference –  The PenBay Y is a community cornerstone where all people can connect, grow, and thrive. YOU are a vital part of that vision. 

Requirements

Essential Functions

• Develop and implement a comprehensive annual advancement strategy to ensure the fiscal health, growth, and expansion of the Y, including but not limited to the areas of major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, capital campaigns, annual giving, special events, public relations, marketing, and communications. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and adjust plans as needed to ensure goals are achieved. 
  • Manage campaigns and appeals
  • Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors and prospects
  • Develop and grow corporate sponsorship opportunities
  • Research, write, and submit grant proposals and reports to grant-making entities
  • Create and implement marketing campaigns and strategies to strengthen connections with new and future donors, members, and community supporters
• Work closely with Program Directors to increase awareness of and build community support for the Y, creating compelling campaigns and marketing materials that effectively communicate our mission, programs, and case for support to current and prospective members.
• Provide leadership and direction to the board of directors, staff, consultants, and volunteers, developing strategies and setting clear priorities to motivate, guide investments, and achieve goals. Nurture and build a cohesive, engaged organizational culture where all staff feel they can build their careers. Develop strategies to increase volunteer involvement at all levels of financial development.
• Track, monitor, and analyze data related to fundraising and marketing:
• Collect, organize, and maintain a complete and accurate database record of donors, all gifts pledged and received by source and purpose. provides reports as needed.
• Manage and analyze customer relationship management (CRM) and social media engagement, segmenting and targeting communications to improve reach and conversions
• Establish tracking tools and metrics, and provide regular reports to staff and board.
• Create effective, sustainable, organization-wide collaborations and build a positive team culture, working closely with other members of the management team.
• Represent the Y within the community and develop strong relationships with companies, local foundations, schools, civic organizations, and individuals to make the Penobscot Bay YMCA the local charity of choice for funding.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the CEO for the good of the organization.

Qualifications

• Exceptional analytical, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build rapport and credibility as a community leader and engage effectively with donors, board members, staff, and volunteers.
• Polished written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to make presentations, write compelling press releases, case statements, grants, etc., and handle media inquiries.
• Proven leader in strategic planning and implementation. Strong project management skills, analytical skills, creativity, and resourcefulness in approaches to increase the Y brand awareness and appreciation.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred. Minimum of 5 years of professional fundraising experience and a demonstrated track record of success with major donors.
• Must be confident, high energy, and passionate for mission-driven non-profit work with a commitment to the mission and values of the Penobscot Bay YMCA.
• Proven entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to work in a highly flexible, fast-paced work environment. Must be results-oriented, organized, detail-oriented, adaptable, able to handle several tasks simultaneously, meet deadlines, and make decisions. 
• Strong leadership and management skills to motivate and mentor a team. Team player who is willing to do both high-level and administrative work as needed. YMCA Organizational Leader certification, preferred (we will train the right candidate)
• Proficiency in fundraising and CRM data collection, analysis and reporting tools. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Suite applications, including Excel/Sheets, required. 
• Understands the YMCA is a public accommodation committed to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• This position requires regular use of a computer for extended periods of time
• The employee must be able to communicate using a computer, phone, and a smart mobile device;
• The employee is frequently required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, and adjusting visual focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.