Senior Director, Donor Engagement

Orr Group; New York, Washington (NY, District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 126,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

Orr Group in Washington DC or New York, NY is seeking a Senior Director to lead client teams and develop fundraising strategies that advance donor engagement and revenue growth. The role emphasizes mentorship of staff and effective collaboration across advisory services and capacity building.

Candidates should bring 10+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, strong board governance knowledge, and the ability to manage complex donor portfolios while communicating with diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 10+ years nonprofit sector experience with frontline fundraising and development leadership.
• Direct, frontline fundraising experience, including major gifts and donor stewardship.
• Bachelor's degree required; strong knowledge of nonprofit sector and regulations.
• Ability to lead a team and manage multiple clients and projects under deadlines.
• Proficiency with AI tools to enhance fundraising strategy.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project management and day-to-day account operations.
• Lead client work, data collection/analysis, and provide presentations.
• Mentor and coach team members; serve as liaison with clients.
• Staff senior directors on regional, national, and international clients.
• Manage donor portfolios and solicit major gifts.

Skills

Frontline fundraising

Development leadership

Board governance

Donor engagement

Project management

Strategic fundraising planning

AI in fundraising

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Fundraising accreditations

PMP certificate

Job description

Washington, DC or New York, NY (hybrid); US (remote)

About Us

Orr Group believes that by working with leading and cutting‑edge nonprofits, we can help solve the world's most pressing challenges. Through our embedded partnership model, Orr Group supplies the people, resources, and custom approaches to drive missions forward, making us more than just a consultancy. Our services include strategy development and implementation, fundraising and event planning, campaign assessment and execution, talent acquisition and management, planned giving expertise, and leadership development. For the last 30+ years, we have partnered with an incredibly diverse and influential assembly of clientele to assist in generating revenue and leveraging resources more effectively, remaining flexible and nimble to ideate solutions in an ever‑changing nonprofit landscape.

Visit our website at www.orrgroup.com to learn more about what we do and our impact on the sector.

Position Summary

Orr Group’s services are split between four practice areas: Advisory Services, Capacity Building, Donor Engagement, and Talent Management. The Donor Engagement practice area works in service of development teams, embedding our talent into our partner organizations to drive revenue. This practice area's service offerings include frontline fundraising with individual and institutional giving, board transformation, and interim development leadership.

Our Senior Directors lead client teams, developing and implementing strategies to help our clients meet their goals. They also assume a leadership and mentoring role within Orr Group.

Senior Directors may manage a combination of regional, national, and international clients. Depending on client needs, this position may require that up to 50% of time be spent on a client site. Candidates based in the Washington, DC or New York City areas are preferred. Remote candidates will also be considered; remote staff are required to travel to an Orr Group office or client once per quarter.

Responsibilities

Each project at Orr Group is specially tailored and designed for the needs of that particular client. Generally, Senior Directors oversee project management, guide day‑to‑day account operations, drive teamwork strategies, and serve as the principal liaison with the client. They actively lead the work of the project as well as the data collection and analysis, report writing, and client presentations.

Senior Directors may be staffed in interim leadership capacities (e.g., interim Chief Development Officer, VP of Development, or Director of Major Gifts) for client organizations, in addition to advisory and embedded consulting engagements. In these roles, Senior Directors may also manage a donor portfolio directly and operate as a trusted member of the client's senior team from day one.

Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Communicating effectively with a wide variety of audiences, including board members, C‑suite, staff, donors, and outside advisors
• Collaborating on client work with Orr Group team members, managing up and down
• Overseeing day‑to‑day operations and fulfillment of contracted projects
• Managing project teams and coordinating project work for others; serving as mentor and coach to team members
• Serving in interim leadership roles for an organization
• Holding a portfolio of donors on behalf of a client and supporting solicitations of major gifts
• Facilitating and leading board retreats
• Synthesizing and presenting information to clients
• Discovering solutions and employing new and innovative ideas

Qualifications

• 10+ years of nonprofit sector experience with substantial depth in frontline fundraising (Major Gifts and Institutional Giving) and Development Leadership. Experience in Planned Giving, Campaigns, and Board Development is a plus.
• Advanced fundraising acumen across the full donor lifecycle and range of gift types and sizes, from five‑figure major gifts to complex six‑ and seven‑figure principal and planned gifts, with demonstrated success engaging diverse donor types (individual, corporate, foundation, and institutional)
• Direct, frontline fundraising experience, personally identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts, not solely overseeing others who do
• Demonstrated ability to step into leadership role and own a portfolio as a trusted member of a team
• Ability to develop and implement strategic fundraising plans to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors effectively
• CFRE, CSPG, CFM and other accreditations recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals or the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners a plus
• Bachelor's degree required
• A strong understanding of the nonprofit sector, including fundraising best practices, donor trends, and relevant regulations
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including strong attention to detail and editing skills
• In‑depth knowledge of board governance principles, best practices, and legal requirements preferred
• Understanding of financial principles and ability to interpret financial data
• Ability to handle multiple clients and projects simultaneously
• Strong time / project management and organization skills and the ability to remain flexible and effective under pressure in a fast‑paced environment; PMP certificate a plus
• Demonstrated desire and ability to lead a team toward a shared goal
• Demonstrated proficiency with AI tools and a genuine interest in how AI can enhance fundraising strategy, client service, and the way our teams work, with a desire to keep learning and applying new tools as they emerge.
• Flexibility to work long and varying hours (when needed) to meet fixed deadlines

Additional Information

Base salary starting at $140,000 annually and bonus potential up to $35,000 annually; subject to adjustment based on geolocation.

We recognize the systemic inequities that shape our world, and we’re committed to combating them. Because we strive for continued equity in our workplace, the salary for this role has been carefully crafted in alignment with the market. Comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, vision plans and 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, paid holidays, and generous paid time off.

We are committed to providing advancement opportunities for our employees where they can explore their talents, potential, aspirations, and dreams that will strengthen their personal growth and development.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Orr Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals seeking employment with our organization are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.