Development Director - Major Gifts & Strategy

Summer Search; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Summer Search Boston is seeking a Director of Development to elevate the program’s fundraising capacity by directing development operations and donor relations. The role partners with Summer Search National’s Managing Director of Development and Boston’s Executive Director to manage major donors and drive financial goals, while supervising 2–3 staff for program excellence.

Responsibilities include strategic planning, portfolio management, major gift cultivation, board liaison, staff mentoring,

Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit fundraising operations and donor relations is advantageous.
• Strong relationship-building and donor stewardship skills.
• Strategic planning and project management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Summer Search Boston’s development function, including building and implementing a strategic plan, to achieve fundraising goals.
• Manage a portfolio of ~50 individual donors and family foundations, with annual fundraising targets.
• Identify, research, qualify and cultivate new major gift prospects capable of five- or six-figure gifts.
• Build donor-specific cultivation strategies, leveraging staff and Board leadership to solicit and steward prospects and donors.
• Serve as a key liaison to the Board, promoting a culture of philanthropy and guiding development activities.
• Directly supervise and mentor a Senior Donor Relations Manager and Senior Manager of Institutional Partnerships to ensure effective donor strategy and execution, plus data tracking against goals.
• Collaborate with local and national development staff to support partnerships with corporate, foundation, and individual donors.
• Lead Boston signature fundraising events, including Voices of Summer Search, as part of the fundraising strategy.
• Represent Summer Search at networking opportunities and community events with external stakeholders.

Job description

Summer Search Boston is seeking a Director of Development to elevate the program’s fundraising capacity by directing development operations and donor relations. The role partners with Summer Search National’s Managing Director of Development and Boston’s Executive Director to manage major donors and drive financial goals, while supervising 2–3 staff for program excellence.

Responsibilities include strategic planning, portfolio management, major gift cultivation, board liaison, staff mentoring,