Development Director: Major Gifts & Strategy

Women in Development of Greater Boston; Newton (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Personal days

Holidays

Professional development

Parking or transit pass

Job summary

Silent Spring Institute seeks a Director of Development to lead fundraising for a $5 million organization dedicated to researching environmental causes of cancer. You will manage a major donor portfolio and oversee a small team, reporting to the Executive Director in Newton, MA.

You will drive foundation relations, craft compelling proposals, and coordinate events including the annual gala. The role requires strategic vision, excellent communication, and hands-on fundraising leadership.

Qualifications

• Senior fundraising leadership with a track record of increasing revenue.
• Ability to steward major individual donors with strong relationship skills.
• Experience leading a small development team and collaborating with programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for proposals and reports.
• Comfortable with donor databases and data integrity.
• Willingness to travel domestically as needed.

Responsibilities

• Steward a portfolio of major donors and sustain long-term giving.
• Lead foundation outreach and manage relationships with funders.
• Draft donor communications, proposals, and reports.
• Organize donor meetings with the Executive Director.
• Oversee annual gala and major fundraising events.
• Ensure revenue growth and alignment with budget targets.
• Supervise the Assistant Director of Development and coordinate with the team.

Skills

Donor relations

Foundation fundraising

Strategic thinking

Team leadership

Communication

Mentoring staff

Budgeting

Travel readiness

Tools

Donor database systems

Job description

Silent Spring Institute seeks a Director of Development to lead fundraising for a $5 million organization dedicated to researching environmental causes of cancer. You will manage a major donor portfolio and oversee a small team, reporting to the Executive Director in Newton, MA.

You will drive foundation relations, craft compelling proposals, and coordinate events including the annual gala. The role requires strategic vision, excellent communication, and hands-on fundraising leadership.