Senior Director of Development & Alumni Relations

ROME GROUP; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Matching

Paid Time Off

Flexible Hybrid Schedule

Professional Development

Job summary

Rung for Women seeks a Senior Director of Development & Alumni Relations to lead fundraising, alumni engagement, and volunteer programs in support of our mission.

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, you will build a high-performing Advancement team, manage major gifts, annual giving, grants, and community partnerships, and cultivate donor relationships.

This role requires strategic leadership, coaching, and a commitment to equity and women’s economic mobility.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of progressive fundraising leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams.
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong strategic thinking, organization, and project management abilities.
• Experience using CRM platforms and fundraising analytics.
• Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE or advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Rung’s annual advancement strategy in partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer.
• Build meaningful relationships with donors, corporations, foundations, volunteers, alumni, and community partners.
• Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects through cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and ongoing engagement.
• Lead fundraising initiatives including major gifts, annual giving, grants, donor stewardship, and fundraising events.
• Represent Rung throughout the community to strengthen awareness and philanthropic support.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop a team of Advancement professionals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Establish clear goals, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and support professional development.
• Develop future leaders by creating opportunities for increased responsibility and growth.
• Promote collaboration across departments to strengthen organizational impact.
• Oversee donor database management, annual fund strategy, grants, alumni engagement, and volunteer programs.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Major gifts

Donor relations

Team development

Strategic planning

CRM proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

CFRE or advanced degree preferred

Tools

CRM platforms

Job description

Senior Director of Development & Alumni Relations

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Department: Advancement

Location: Rung for Women

Schedule: Monday – Friday

Pay Range: $115,000 – $130,000

About Rung for Women

Rung for Women empowers women to achieve long-term economic stability and family self-sufficiency. Bridging the gap between crisis support and sustained success, Rung serves women through coaching, career training, and a supportive, community-centered environment.

Since launching in March 2021, more than 500 women have begun their journey with Rung, many securing better jobs and increasing their income. Rung focuses on high-impact career pathways. We partner with employers and training providers to offer fast-track training, on-the-job learning, and apprenticeships. Members also benefit from access to childcare, health and wellness amenities, and a network of women working toward shared goals.

Rung for Women is a mission-driven workplace committed to equity, innovation, and growth, investing in both the women we serve and the staff who support them.

Our Mission:

Inspiring all women to climb the economic opportunity ladder.

Our Values:

Innovate Collaborate Invite Joy Promote Self-Determination Uphold Equity

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Development & Alumni Relations is a strategic leader responsible for growing the philanthropic resources, alumni engagement, volunteer program, and community partnerships that advance Rung for Women’s mission.

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, this position leads a comprehensive advancement program that includes major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, grants, fundraising events, alumni relations, volunteer engagement, and advancement operations.

Equally important, this leader builds and develops a high-performing Advancement team. Success in this role is measured not only by fundraising results, but by the ability to coach, mentor, and develop people, foster collaboration, and create a culture where employees are empowered to grow and lead.

How You’ll Contribute

At Rung, we believe great leaders build great people.

We seek leaders who invest in developing others through coaching, mentorship, and meaningful opportunities for growth. Our leaders create environments built on trust, accountability, innovation, and collaboration. They measure success not only by organizational outcomes, but by the success of the people they lead.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Fundraising & Relationship Management
• Develop and execute Rung’s annual advancement strategy in partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer.
• Build meaningful relationships with donors, corporations, foundations, volunteers, alumni, and community partners.
• Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects through cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and ongoing engagement.
• Lead fundraising initiatives including major gifts, annual giving, grants, donor stewardship, and fundraising events.
• Represent Rung throughout the community to strengthen awareness and philanthropic support.
• Team Leadership & Talent Development
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop a team of Advancement professionals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Establish clear goals, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and support professional development.
• Develop future leaders by creating opportunities for increased responsibility and growth.
• Promote collaboration across departments to strengthen organizational impact.
• Advancement Operations
• Provide strategic oversight for:
• Donor database management and stewardship
• Annual Fund strategy
• Grant development and reporting
• Alumni engagement and networking
• Volunteer recruitment, training, and recognition
• Donor affinity groups, including Ladder League
• Advancement communications in partnership with Marketing & Communications

What You Bring

• Passion for Rung’s mission and women’s economic mobility
• Eight or more years of progressive fundraising leadership experience
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations
• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills
• Strong strategic thinking, organization, and project management abilities
• Experience using CRM platforms and fundraising analytics
• Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE or advanced degree preferred

Why Rung for Women?

Rung for Women believes our success depends on attracting, retaining, and investing in talented staff who are passionate about our mission.

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision (Rung covers the majority of employee costs)
• Retirement: Dollar-for-dollar match up to 5%
• Paid Time Off:
• Up to 3 weeks’ vacation
• 1 week off at the end of December
• 1-week sick time
• 20 hours volunteer time
• 9 paid holidays annually
• Paid Family & Medical Leave:
• Up to 12 weeks for birth of a child or personal serious illness
• Up to 2 weeks to care for a loved one
• Cell Phone Reimbursement: Up to $75/month
• Professional Development: Up to $2,000 annually plus monthly in-services
• Team Building: Regular staff and department connection activities
• Work Environment: Flexible, hybrid work schedule