Director of Development

Gemma Services; Harmonville (PA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental plans

Retirement plan with match

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Personal holidays

Self-care programs

Job summary

Gemma Services in the Greater Philadelphia region is seeking a Director of Development to lead fundraising, donor engagement, volunteer programs, and external relations that strengthen awareness and support for Gemma’s mission.

Reporting to the Chief Development & Communications Officer, the role manages a donor portfolio, plans special events such as Chefs for Gemma, and collaborates across the organization to secure resources.

Qualifications

• Five to seven years of nonprofit fundraising experience.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience with donor relations, stewardship, and events.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising and program growth through donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Volunteer program leadership and engagement initiatives.
• Oversee gifts-in-kind program to support events and programs.
• Lead special events fundraising, including signature events.
• External relations and partnerships to raise awareness and support.
• Department leadership and cross‑functional collaboration.

Skills

Donor engagement

Volunteer management

Special events planning

Donor stewardship

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Gemma Services is a multi-program nonprofit organization that accompanies more than 3,000 youth and families each year through behavioral health, child welfare, prevention, and special education programs. With three locations across the Greater Philadelphia region, we work every day to ensure that every child and family knows they matter.

Reporting to the Chief Development & Communications Officer (CDCO), the Director of Development serves as a key member of the Development Department leadership team, responsible for advancing Gemma Services’ fundraising, donor engagement, and community partnership strategies. The Director provides strategic leadership for donor cultivation and stewardship, volunteer and in-kind giving programs, special events, and external relations initiatives that strengthen awareness of and support for Gemma’s mission. This position manages a portfolio of donors and prospects, develops opportunities for philanthropic growth, and works collaboratively across the organization to build meaningful relationships that generate sustainable resources and deepen community engagement.

Responsibilities include:

1. Fundraising & philantrhopic program growth - Secure philanthropic support for Gemma Services’ mission through the cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention of donors and supporters.
2. Volunteer Program Leadership - Develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive volunteer engagement program with measurable goals that increase community engagement and support for Gemma’s mission.
3. Oversee robust in-kind gifts program - Lead strategy, growth, and administration of Gemma’s gifts-in-kind program to secure items that support Gemma’s programs and special events.
4. Special events fundraising - Along with CDCO, provide strategic leadership for fundraising events, including signature annual Chefs for Gemma benefit and third-party fundraising initiatives.
5. External relations and community partnership - Strengthen and expand relationships with congregations, businesses, and other external partners to increase awareness of and support for Gemma Services.
6. Leadership and department operations - Assist with the overall management and operation of the Development Department and provide leadership in the absence of the CDCO.

The position is hybrid; 4 days in-office in Plymouth Meeting, with 1 day remote depending on time of year, and commuting to other Gemma locations and off‑site meetings in the Philadelphia-region as needed. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for fundraising and volunteer events is required. Must have reliable transportation and be able to travel to Gemma's locations as well as off‑site events as needed.

Skill(s): The Director is a highly organized, relationship‑driven fundraising professional with exceptional interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills and a demonstrated ability to engage, inspire, and steward donors, volunteers, and community partners. This individual brings expertise in donor engagement, volunteer management, special events planning, and donor‑centered fundraising, with a strong commitment to exceptional stewardship and the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Code of Ethics. Strategic, proactive, and hands‑on, the Director thrives in a fast‑paced environment and approaches opportunities and challenges with a collaborative, solution‑focused mindset, and willingness to roll up their sleeves to achieve results. The Director excels at leading complex projects, managing priorities, and working independently and collaboratively across departments. The Director exercises sound judgment, diplomacy, and discretion; maintains strict confidentiality; and is proficient in leveraging technology and data to advance fundraising goals, including event platforms and donor CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge.

A valid driver’s license is required.

Experience: Five to seven (5-7) years or more experience in nonprofit fundraising, with responsibilities including donor relations, direct fundraising, volunteer management, and special event management. Demonstrated experience with donor stewardship, volunteer programs, and relationship management to support advancement of organizational mission.

Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree required.

Benefits include: 3 health insurance plans, 2 dental plans, educational assistance, a retirement plan with a match, fully paid life, short and long‑term disability, generous PTO, personal holidays, and self‑care activities for our employees.

Join our collaborative team and help Gemma create a world where every person knows they matter.