Senior Director, External Relations & Fundraising

Education Forward DC; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Gold health plan contributions

Dental and Vision coverage

Disability insurance

Life insurance

PTO 20 days + annual increase

Flexible personal and sick leave

Professional development budget

Relocation stipends

Job summary

Education Forward DC is seeking a Partner, External Relations to lead our fundraising strategy, donor engagements, and external partnerships. You will work closely with the CEO to drive long-term revenue and elevate the organization's national profile in education philanthropy.

The role requires senior leadership experience, an ability to cultivate principal-level donors, and a commitment to educational equity in DC. The position is hybrid, with in-office days Tuesday and Wednesday.

Qualifications

• Proven success building multi-year fundraising strategy and donor pipelines.
• Track record closing gifts of $250K+ and cultivating principal-level donors.
• Experience leading a small, high-performing fundraising team.
• At least ten years of progressive leadership in development.
• Experience partnering with a CEO on strategic fundraising.
• Commitment to educational equity and DC education.
• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree valued.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead a multi-year fundraising strategy targeting donor relationships and long-term revenue growth.
• Develop systems for donor tracking, reporting, and portfolio management.
• Advise the CEO and senior leadership on how to deploy time and relationships for long-term goals.
• Personally identify and steward principal- and major-gift donors.
• Lead solicitation and proposal development for significant partnerships and represent the organization externally.
• Lead and develop the External Relations team and oversee governance and communications functions.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Donor cultivation

Major gifts

Team leadership

Executive presence

DC education fundraising

Board engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Graduate degree valued

Job description

Education Forward DC is seeking a Partner, External Relations to lead our fundraising strategy, donor engagements, and external partnerships. You will work closely with the CEO to drive long-term revenue and elevate the organization's national profile in education philanthropy.

The role requires senior leadership experience, an ability to cultivate principal-level donors, and a commitment to educational equity in DC. The position is hybrid, with in-office days Tuesday and Wednesday.