Director of Development

Maine Tasting Center; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Job summary

The Olympia Snowe Women's Leadership Institute seeks a Director of Development in Portland, ME to lead annual fundraising, grow individual giving, and expand corporate and foundation support. You will drive revenue strategy, engage volunteers, and collaborate with the Board to advance the mission of empowering girls and young women.

This leadership role requires seven+ years in nonprofit fundraising, a track record of major gifts, and experience with planned giving and capital campaigns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum seven years of progressive non-profit fundraising experience with demonstrated ability to raise more than $1.5M annually
• Strong track record of achieving goals and securing major gifts
• Management experience
• Experience with planned giving and capital campaigns strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead annual development plans to renew loyal donors and partners while identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting new donors and partners.
• Review fundraising forecasts quarterly and adjust as necessary to meet revenue goals.
• Lead direct solicitations across all levels of donors and partners.
• Expand the Institute's Legacy program and increase awareness of this giving option among individual donors, as appropriate.
• Lead the effort to secure the Institute's annual operating budget, while equipping junior team members and members of the Board with guidance and support.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Community outreach

Grant writing

Donor relations

Travel

Mentorship

Strategic thinking

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

7+ years nonprofit fundraising

Major gifts track record

Management experience

Planned giving & capital campaigns

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Founded in 2014 by former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, the mission of the Olympia Snowe Women's LeadershipInstitute is to raise the confidence and aspirations of high school girls by helping them develop the skills needed tolead in their lives, families, careers, and communities.

The Institute's impact is made possible entirely through philanthropy. Because the program is offered at no cost toparticipants and partner schools, the organization relies on individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations tosustain and grow its work. The Development team leads this effort by creating and executing annual fundraisingstrategies that support current operations and strengthen the Institute's future. At this pivotal point in the Institute's evolution, we are seeking an experienced development leader who can build a strong philanthropic foundation and help shape the next chapter of fundraising growth. The Director will have a meaningful opportunity to strengthen and expand the development program, guide long-term fundraising strategy, and build the team’s capacity for the future.

Primary Function

As a key member of the Institute's leadership team, the Director of Development leads annual fundraising strategy and execution to meet revenue goals and sustain the organization’s mission. This role focuses on growing individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation support, and the Institute's Legacy Giving Society while expanding and strengthening the donor and partner pipeline. The Director of Development works closely with the Board, Development Committee, volunteers, and staff to advance fundraising priorities, support donor engagement, and build a strong culture of philanthropy. In partnership with organizational leadership, this role also contributes to long-term planning, including strategic planning and assessment of future capital campaigns.

Primary Responsibilities

Revenue Strategy & Major Gifts

• Reporting to the Executive Director, research, craft, manage, and execute annual development plans that renew loyal donors and partners while identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting new donors and partners.
• Review fundraising forecasts quarterly and adjust as necessary to meet revenue goals.
• Lead direct solicitations across all levels of donors and partners.
• Expand the Institute's Legacy program and increase awareness of this giving option among individual donors,as appropriate.
• Lead the effort to secure the Institute's annual operating budget, while equipping junior team members and members of the Board with the guidance, training, and support needed to contribute effectively to fundraising success.

Board, Volunteer & Partner Engagement

• In collaboration with the Director of Stakeholder Engagement, execute impactful and measurable events, including stewardship gatherings that engage individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, members of the Leaders Network, and the Board of Directors.
• In partnership with the Board's Development Chair, lead the Development Committee and provide quarterly updates to the Board of Directors.
• Recruit, engage, inspire, and support volunteers who serve on the Fundraising Committee.
• Collaborate with the Program Director to establish a communications loop that ensures Development, the Development Committee, and the Board are aware of recent mission moments, statistics, and outcomes.
• Partner with the communications colleagues to develop materials for Development Committee members to use when soliciting donors and partners on behalf of the Institute.

Planning, Reporting & Operations

• Partner with the Director of Finance and Operations to track weekly and monthly fundraising progress toward goals and ensure the preparation and distribution of informative reports on progress, prospect strategies, and prospect contacts.
• Participate in the FY27 strategic planning process.
• If appropriate, participate in the future evaluation and selection of a capital campaign consultant.
• Contribute to future capital campaign plans.

Leadership & Team Management

• Manage and mentor the Development Specialist, including implementation of the annual review process and drafting of SMARTIE goals with quarterly check-ins to discuss progress and areas for growth.
• Participate actively in the leadership team to support the achievement of organizational goals.
• Represent Development at quarterly Board meetings.
• Lead and manage annual reviews of the development components of strategic plans.
• Play a pivotal role in the development of capital campaign strategies, messaging, and tactics.

Beyond fundraising expertise, we are looking for a leader who values collaboration, enjoys mentoring and developing others, and wants to contribute to a close-knit, high-performing team. With a staff of eight and a half, we work closely across functions, support one another's success, and share a deep commitment to our mission and to the young women we serve.

Requirements

Qualifications & Skills

• An experienced, collaborative leader who brings integrity, credibility, flexibility, and adaptability; demonstrates a passion for the Institute's mission to build confidence and raise the aspirations of high school girls; and finds purpose in mentoring others and contributing to a close-knit team.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Willingness to be out in the community with donors and partners.
• A history of establishing and strengthening relationships and growing corporate partnerships.
• Proven grant-writing skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook/Word/Excel/Power Point) as well as donor information & management systems – Raiser's Edge preferred.
• Independent self-starter who considers solutions and shares recommendations when faced with a challenge.
• Possesses an openness to working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Willingness to travel in-state by car.
• This role requires sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing, and pulling.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum seven years of progressive non-profit fundraising experience with demonstrated ability to raise more than $1.5M annually
• A strong track record of achieving goals and securing major gifts
• Management experience
• Experience with planned giving and capital campaigns strongly preferred

This position is based in Portland, ME, and offers a competitive benefits package that includes health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k), disability insurance, generous PTO, and 12 office holidays.

The successful candidate must successfully complete a background check at the time of hire and at least every three years after.