Senior Director of Development

Advocates; Framingham (MA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocates in Framingham, MA seeks a Senior Director of Development to lead our fundraising strategy, manage donor relations, and grow the organization's financial stability. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, you will oversee a small team, coordinate with marketing and programs, and drive major gifts, grants, events, and donor stewardship to advance our mission.

This leadership role requires a strategic, collaborative mindset and a track record of success in nonprofit development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
• 7–10 years of progressive fundraising experience, including major gifts and institutional giving.
• Demonstrated success managing donor portfolios and securing philanthropic support.
• Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong relationship building, communication, and presentation skills.
• Familiarity with donor databases/CRM systems and fundraising analytics, Raiser's Edge preferred.
• Strong organizational and project management skills preferred.
• Experience working closely with executive leadership and boards preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors, institutional funders, and prospects through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Personally solicit major gifts and oversee grant opportunities to support annual and strategic fundraising goals.
• Develop and execute strategies to increase donor retention, engagement, and philanthropic investment.
• Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer on campaign planning, fundraising priorities, and donor strategy.
• Prepare donor proposals, briefing materials, reports, and stewardship communications as needed.

Skills

Fundraising

Major gifts

Donor portfolio management

Grant writing

Donor engagement

Leadership / team management

Communication skills

CRM systems (Raiser's Edge)

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Job description

Overview

Salary:$115,000-$120,000

Schedule: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm- In-person 3 days per week

We seek a dynamic and experienced Senior Director of Development to join our team and lead development efforts to support and sustain our impactful work. The Senior Director of Development will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive fundraising strategy to advance Advocates mission and grow our financial stability. This role requires a strategic and innovative leader with exceptional communication skills, a strong background in nonprofit development, and a passion for the organization's mission.

This leadership position demands a solution-oriented individual who enjoys working as part of a team. This is the organization’s first senior position within the development function.

The Senior Director of Development is a strategic and relationship-driven fundraising leader responsible for advancing the organization’s philanthropic goals through individual giving, institutional grants, events, and donor engagement initiatives. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Senior Director serves as a key member of the 15-person Advancement team, partnering closely with colleagues across development, marketing, and communications, and engagement functions to drive integrated fundraising strategies and donor stewardship.

This position manages a small but high-performing team and maintains an active portfolio of donors and grant funders. The Senior Director plays a central role in building sustainable philanthropic support, strengthening donor relationships and helping shape the organization’s culture of philanthropy.

Who We Are

At Advocates, we provide comprehensive services for people facing developmental, mental health, or other life challenges.

We’re a nonprofit, mission-driven organization with a person-centered approach, empowering the individuals we support to make choices, build independence, and live full, meaningful lives. Our work is rooted in respect, compassion, and inclusion, and we envision a world where individual differences are appreciated and celebrated.

At Advocates, we value the ideas, experiences, and contributions of employees and are committed to fostering a supportive, welcoming culture where everyone can grow and thrive.

Minimum Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Responsibilities

Fundraising & Portfolio Management

• Manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors, institutional funders, and prospects through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Personally solicit major gifts and oversee grant opportunities to support annual and strategic fundraising goals.
• Develop and execute strategies to increase donor retention, engagement, and philanthropic investment.
• Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer on campaign planning, fundraising priorities, and donor strategy.
• Prepare donor proposals, briefing materials, reports, and stewardship communications as needed.

Leadership & Team Management

• Supervise and support potentially three direct reports: Database Specialist, Event Manager, Grant Writer.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and mission-driven team culture.
• Provide coaching, goal setting, and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Ensure strong cross-functional coordination among development operations, events, grants, and communications efforts.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Chief Advancement Officer in advancing organizational fundraising goals.
• Partner with marketing & communications colleagues to align donor messaging, campaigns, storytelling, and engagement strategies.
• Contribute to annual planning, budgeting, and reporting for Advancement initiatives.
• Utilize data and fundraising metrics to evaluate performance and inform strategy adjustments.

Events & Donor Engagement

• Oversee fundraising and stewardship events in collaboration with the Event Manager and broader Advancement team.
• Represent the organization at donor meetings, community events, and public-facing opportunities.
• Support board and volunteer engagement in fundraising activities where appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive fundraising experience, including major gifts and institutional giving.
• Demonstrated success managing donor portfolios and securing philanthropic support.
• Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong relationship building, communication, and presentation skills.
• Familiarity with donor databases/CRM systems and fundraising analytics, Raiser’s Edge preferred.
• Strong organizational and project management skills preferred.
• Experience working closely with executive leadership and boards preferred.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail preferred.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive and solutions-oriented approach preferred.
• Ability to work both strategically and tactically in a dynamic environment.
• Commitment to the organization’s mission and values.

Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.