Senior Director, Development

cityyear; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

City Year seeks a Senior Director of Development to lead and execute strategies to raise and sustain private revenue across diverse channels, including individual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundations, and signature events.

The role reports to the Executive Director and sits on the Senior Leadership Team, driving site-wide fundraising goals and long-term revenue growth through strategic relationship management and team leadership.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience or comparable relationship-management experience.
• Authorized documentation to work in the United States of America
• Criminal background history clearance to work with school-age children, depending on the position.

Responsibilities

• Support in execution of site-specific fundraising strategy to meet annual revenue goals.
• Inspire, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors with emphasis on major gifts and multi-year commitments.
• Develop and deepen institutional partnerships with corporations and foundations to secure support.
• Collaborate with the national Development team to steward multi-site and national partnerships.
• Develop compelling grant proposals and ensure funder reporting.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Donor engagement

Major gifts

Corporate partnerships

Foundation grants

Signature events

Portfolio management

Salesforce / CRM

Board engagement

Tools

Salesforce CRM

Job description

Number of Positions: 1

Position Overview

The Senior Director of Development is responsible for executing the strategy to raise and sustain 1.85million private revenue and grow annually. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Senior Director of Development supports the site's private-sector fundraising efforts through diversified strategies that include individual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and signature events.

The Senior Director of Development leads key fundraising efforts, and works in close partnership with the Managing Director of Development Executive Director, Board, and colleagues across departments to meet annual fundraising goals and grow revenue over time.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, action-oriented leader and relationship builder who inspires donors and partners to invest in our mission of advancing educational opportunity through national service. Success in this role requires strong day‑to‑day follow‑through, sound judgment, and systems discipline, in addition to setting fundraising direction.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience or comparable relationship management experience, demonstrating readiness to independently own complex portfolios and processes
• Authorized documentation to work in the United States of America
• Criminal background history clearance to work with school‑age children, depending on the position

Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Execution

• Support in execution of our comprehensive, site‑specific fundraising strategy, aligned with City Year’s enterprise direction, to meet or exceed annual revenue goals 1.85 and position the organization for long‑term growth.
• Inspire, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through personalized engagement with an emphasis on major gifts and multi‑year commitments.
• Develop and deepen institutional partnerships with corporations and foundations to secure and sustain significant support, including stewardship and growth of Team Sponsors at the $100,000+ level
• Collaborate with the national Development team to steward and deliver on multi‑site and national partnerships.
• Oversee the development of compelling grant proposals and ensure timely, accurate funder reporting.
• Monitor and report on revenue performance and pipeline health; use data insights to identify process improvements and optimize fundraising strategies.

Portfolio Management

• Build and manage a portfolio with a personal revenue target of $750,000, consisting of donors and prospects with $25,000+ giving capacity, including prospects with $100,000+ potential.
• Conduct 75+ meaningful donor engagements annually, including meetings, calls, and stewardship touchpoints
• Maintain accurate, timely donor records, call reports, and moves‑management updates in Salesforce, using CRM data to prioritize work, identify barriers, and inform next steps.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as the one of the primary fundraiser for the site, while equipping other site staff with tools and strategies to support fundraising efforts.
• Partner closely with Impact staff and AmeriCorps members to connect fundraising efforts with program priorities and elevate the authentic impact of City Year’s work.
• Serve as a senior leader of the site by fostering team collaboration and belonging and contributing to site‑wide goals. Role models a growth mindset and commitment to City Year’s culture and values.
• Performs additional responsibilities as assigned by the direct supervisor to advance City Year’s mission.

Board Engagement

• Partner with the Executive Director to engage the Board in fundraising and advocacy efforts.
• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Associate Board.
• Support strategies to achieve 100% board giving and increase board‑led prospecting and stewardship.

Events Leadership

• Oversee strategy and execution for signature fundraising events (e.g., gala, community breakfasts, service days) to drive donor engagement and revenue generation.
• Ensure events are mission‑centered, well‑produced, and effective in advancing donor cultivation goals.

Marketing, Communications & Community Engagement

• Oversee marketing and branding strategy, including promotional materials, web content, and donor communications
• Represent City Year at external events and community engagements to elevate visibility and build new relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building or leading a diversified fundraising program or comparable relationship‑management strategies (e.g., individual giving, major gifts, foundations, corporate partne