Job Title: Starting at Senior Director of Development
Department: Development
Reports to: President & CEO
Salary: Starting a $115,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Status: Full-Time
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Job Description
The Senior Director of Development serves as the organization’s chief development officer, providing executive-level leadership and strategic direction for all fundraising and development activities. The Senior Director of Development assumes overall responsibility for the planning, implementation, and daily operations of Long Island Cares’ Development programs, including Special Events, Third Party Events, Grant Proposals, Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Corporate Giving, and Food Drives. Works in close partnership with the Senior Director of Marketing & Communications to jointly lead and coordinate fundraising campaigns, donor communications, stewardship initiatives, event promotion, and organizational messaging.
Essential Functions
- Lead and supervise the Development team, establishing multi-year strategic goals, annual workplans, priorities, and expectations.
- Develop and oversee donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to strengthen relationships with current and prospective donors.
- Establish and maintain stewardship practices, including donor screening, prospect research, prioritization, and pipeline development.
- Develop strategies for major gift solicitation, including identifying prospects, appropriate giving opportunities, cultivation approaches, and individuals involved in the solicitation process.
- Oversee grant research, proposal development, writing, and submission for general operating support, programs, capital needs, and special projects.
- Oversee grant reporting requirements and maintain a master schedule of foundation and grant submissions, deadlines, purposes, and status.
- Oversee the planning, coordination, and implementation of Long Island Cares fundraising events and third-party fundraising activities.
- Develop, maintain, and regularly update fundraising revenue projections and forecasts, including year-end revenue estimates, to monitor progress toward financial goals, identify potential shortfalls, and recommend corrective actions as needed.
- Partner with the Board of Directors and Board Development Committee on fundraising activities, donor engagement, events, and related outreach.
- Evaluate existing and new fundraising opportunities and provide recommendations to the CEO regarding feasibility, strategy, and potential impact.
- Oversee DonorPerfect and related donor management processes to support accurate donor records, annual appeals, stewardship, prospect tracking, and fundraising activities.
- Develop and maintain systems and best practices that support donor stewardship throughout the donor life cycle and strengthen the organization’s donor pipeline.
- Maintain a visible presence with prospective funders and community partners by attending meetings, conferences, networking events, and other appropriate opportunities.
- Oversee Long Island Cares’ food drive program and support partnerships with businesses, schools, civic groups, faith-based organizations, and community partners.
- Provide overall leadership and day-to-day oversight of Development operations, ensuring activities remain aligned with organizational and fundraising priorities.
- Develop and monitor the Development department budget and annual calendar of fundraising events, campaigns, and projects.
- Partner with the Senior Director of Marketing & Communications and their respective teams to jointly plan, lead, and execute fundraising and communications initiatives, ensuring coordination, shared accountability, and alignment with organizational priorities.
- Stay current on fundraising and development trends, best practices, and emerging opportunities that may benefit Long Island Cares.
- Prepare and submit monthly Development reports to the CEO outlining the status and progress of key fundraising initiatives and projects.
- Oversee annual credentialing applications and updates to Charity Rating sites.
- Work collaboratively across departments and effectively represent Long Island Cares and its mission in the community.
- Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by the CEO.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, marketing, or a related field required.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or a related field, including experience in a leadership or management role.
- Demonstrated experience with major gifts, donor cultivation and stewardship, grant development, fundraising events, and corporate giving.
- Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies and managing donor relationships.
- Experience supervising and developing staff and working collaboratively with executive leadership and Boards of Directors.
- Experience with donor management/CRM systems; DonorPerfect experience preferred.
Physical Requirements
- Valid driver’s license.
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.