Director of Development

Maine Tasting Center; Bath (ME); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

United Way of Mid Coast Maine seeks a high-energy Director of Development to lead resource development strategies and the annual fundraising campaign. You will cultivate major gifts, grow donor partnerships, and steward grants while aligning activities with community impact goals.

You will build and lead fundraising campaigns, manage donor pipelines, and provide strategic leadership to expand corporate and foundation partnerships in the Midcoast region.

Qualifications

• Ability to understand and commit to United Way mission, values, and community impact.
• Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills; professional in communication.
• Excellent oral, written, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated success in developing and leading fundraising campaigns with measurable revenue results.
• Proficient with fundraising and donor relationship management software.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the annual fundraising campaign, including workplace campaigns and donor stewardship.
• Develop and manage donor/partner/funder/grant pipelines and expand major gifts and foundation partnerships.
• Maintain year-round donor relationships; ensure timely acknowledgments and recognition.
• Collaborate to expand foundation partnerships and support grant applications and reporting.
• Lead campaign goal setting, account management, auditing, and evaluation; adjust strategies as needed.
• Plan and execute donor events and campaign presentations; support Campaign Chair activities.
• Manage the Loaned Executive program and partner with community impact efforts.
• Align fundraising strategies with United Way’s community impact work.

Skills

Donor cultivation

Major gifts

Fundraising strategy

Donor stewardship

Campaign management

Public speaking

Relationship building

Tools

Donor management systems

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Email marketing software

Social media platforms

Job description

The Director of Development (DOD) helps to ensure United Way of Mid Coast Maine (United Way) has the fundraising revenue it needs to meet its mission of improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. The DOD will lead resource development strategies and initiatives, oversee the annual fundraising campaign, and sustain and grow relationships that increase revenue. This includes cultivating new donors, stewarding existing donors, improving donor retention, building a major gifts and planned giving program, stewarding grants, and increasing overall gift revenue. This position increases awareness and understanding of United Way's mission and work in the community. This outward facing, results-oriented role requires a high-energy, values-driven leader who has the demonstrated ability to build strong, mutually beneficial relationships. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional professionalism and ownership of organizational goals.

Essential Responsibilities:

Resource Development/Fundraising/Campaign:

• Work with United Way staff and volunteers to determine fundraising goals and strategies. Implement short- and long-term tactics to increase revenue and giving. Lead all aspects of annual fundraising campaign, including implementation of workplace campaigns, and solicitation and stewardship of individual donors.
• Develop, maintain, and manage prospective donor/partner/funder/grant pipeline. Engage, steward and expand major gift, young professional, new, remote, and retired employee donor base, and foundation and small business partnerships. Develop and implement strategies to identify and engage lapsed donors.
• Maintain year-round relationships and partnerships, regularly communicate and meet with volunteers, major donors, current and prospective donors, workplace campaign partners, funders, business and organizational leaders. Understand individual, organizational, and funder charitable interests to deepen and expand engagement and gifts. Ensure all donors are thanked, informed, and communicated with regularly, and throughout the year, including acknowledgements and recognition. Implement and maintain timely and consistent donor acknowledgements and recognition. Engage high-priority partners and donors in volunteer and learning opportunities. Research, cultivate, steward, and solicit workplace-based and individual donors. Maintain all aspects of relationship management, communication and recognition, ensuring the highest level of customer service and engagement.
• In collaboration with United Way staff and volunteers, ensure current and prospective donors, workplaces and community partners see the difference their support and partnership has on the work of United Way and its partners. Ensure workplace and campaign partners have the knowledge and tools to successfully implement and promote a United Way campaign. Provide individual and group training as needed.
• In collaboration with United Way staff, volunteers, and partners, expand foundation partnerships and support grant application and reporting processes.
• Help to build planned giving program by cultivating and stewarding pipeline partnerships.
• Lead and maintain campaign goal setting and projections, account management, auditing, and evaluation. Modify strategies, plans, and processes as needed.
• Conduct frequent public and workplace United Way presentations. Plan, lead, and execute year-round and event-based campaign and donor events and fundraisers.
• Serve as staff liaison and support for Campaign Chair and Campaign Cabinet, and supports Executive Director activities with Development Committee.
• Co-creates all fundraising marketing communications strategies and tactics, including development and distribution of print and digital materials.
• Oversee and manage campaign Loaned Executive (Campaign Assistant) program, including recruitment and management.
• Work with Director of Community Impact to ensure fundraising strategies align with community impact work.

Organizational:

• Ensure all data and reporting associated with the role is accurate and complete, and fundraising tracking, reporting, and analysis remains up-to-date. Provide regular updates and reports to staff and volunteers. Follow up on lapsed donor and pending workplace campaign activities as needed.
• Represent and steward partner and donor input, and ensure staff and volunteers benefit from this shared knowledge. Maintain strict privacy and confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Support an organizational culture of integrity, transparency, service and professionalism. Model behavior consistent with the mission and purpose of the United Way.
• Be the best steward of donor and funder dollars by monitoring and controlling expenses.
• Provide superior service that exceeds the expectations of both internal and external customers.
• As part of a small staff team, support the work of the organization and other staff as needed and other duties as assigned, including strategic planning.
• Collaborate with United Way staff and volunteers to facilitate best practices in providing excellent customer service, and the highest level of data and financial management.
• Support relationships with United Way volunteers, community partners, coalitions, etc.
• Work as a good partner with United Ways of Maine, United Way Worldwide, and United Way partners to learn, share, and leverage our work.

Required Skills/Abilities:

Ability to understand and commit to the United Way mission, vision, and values, and fully support and represent the organization’s role with constituents and in the community.

Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills. Courteous, pleasant, and professional, in-person, and through written and spoken communications.

Excellent oral, written, presentation, and facilitation skills (small and large settings)

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, takes initiative with solid time management skills and ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines, along with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

Functions well and thrives in a fast-paced environment

Ability to relate to a diverse group of individuals, businesses and organizations from multiple sectors.

Exceptional relationship cultivation skills and ability to engage and influence donors, board members, volunteers, community partners, and other stakeholders.

Demonstrated success in developing and leading fundraising campaigns with quantifiable results that met or exceeded revenue goals.

Demonstrated success in leading strategic fundraising efforts, implement strategies and successfully execute tactics.

Demonstrated success in socializing professionally in small settings and large social events.

Demonstrated success in making cold calls and solicitations.

Strong understanding of charitable giving trends and principles

Proficient in basic math, ability to compute, interpret and present fundraising data.

Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, fundraising and donor relationship management systems, email marketing software, and social media, fundraising, and event platforms.

Participation in early morning, evening, or weekend meetings/events is occasionally required. The employee will utilize their own transportation to travel throughout the Midcoast region.