Senior Director of Development and Executive Initiatives

National Council For Adoption; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

National Council For Adoption seeks a Senior Director of Development and Executive Initiatives to lead development strategy and support the President and CEO. This role advances major donor relations, grants, and fundraising programs while coordinating cross-functional priorities.

You will manage the development pipeline, prepare executive briefings, and drive revenue growth. This on-site, full-time position in Alexandria, VA offers a competitive salary and collaboration with the CEO on

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of nonprofit development experience with fundraising.
• Proven ability to secure and steward generous gifts from foundations and individuals.
• Experience managing complex organizational initiatives and working with a CEO.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage an annual development strategy and revenue plan.
• Establish fundraising goals, forecasts, and performance measures.
• Draft grant proposals, reports, and donor communications.
• Prepare the CEO for donor meetings and solicitations.
• Manage the development pipeline, donor records, and stewardship activities.
• Lead sponsorships and exhibitions, including prospecting and follow-up.
• Translate CEO ideas into actionable plans and materials.
• Coordinate cross-organizational initiatives and ensure follow-up.

Skills

Nonprofit fundraising

Donor relationship management

Grant writing

CRM management

Project management

Strategic planning

Executive support to CEO

Tools

CRM software

Donor database

Job description

National Council For Adoption has partnered with the recruiting firm Big Fish on this search.

Position Title: Senior Director of Development and Executive Initiatives

Reports To: President and CEO

Supervises: None

Employment Status: Full-time

Position Overview

This position would be primarily responsible for development donor strategy and execution while also

providing high-level support to the President and CEO on selected organizational priorities. The CEO

would remain NCFA’s primary frontline fundraiser and senior donor relationship-builder. This person

would create the structure, materials, preparation, and follow-through needed to make those efforts

successful.

This is not an executive assistant position, although the role would help the CEO stay organized and

move important priorities forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage an annual development strategy and revenue plan.
• Establish fundraising goals, forecasts, and performance measures.
• Draft grant proposals, reports, letters of inquiry, appeals, donor communications, and other fundraising materials.
• Conduct donor and prospect research and prepare the CEO for donor meetings, cultivation, and solicitations.
• Manage the development pipeline, fundraising calendar, donor records, acknowledgments, gift processing, stewardship activities, and follow-up.
• Develop relationships with selected donors and funders while supporting the CEO as the primary frontline fundraiser.
• Lead conference sponsorship and exhibitor reenue, including prospecting, recruitment, solicitation, tracking, benefit fulfillment, and ongoing stewardship.
• Help translate the CEO’s ideas and organizational priorities into actionable plans, written materials, and next steps.
• Track selected cross-organizational initiatives and help ensure that commitments, decisions, and follow-up items move forward.
• Prepare briefings, talking points, presentations, and other materials for important external and internal meetings.
• Coordinate special projects led by the CEO that may extend beyond development.

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of progressively responsible nonprofit development experience, including demonstrated success with institutional and individual fundraising, plus experience managing complex organizational initiatives
• Demonstrated success securing and stewarding significant foundation and individual gifts.
• Excellent grant writing, donor communication, and case-development skills.
• Experience managing a fundraising pipeline and CRM.
• Strong project-management skills and the ability to move work across organizational boundaries.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and ability to work closely with a CEO.
• Experience in a small or mid-sized nonprofit, where senior staff combine strategy with hands-on execution.
• Adoption, child welfare, or family-services experience preferred, but not required.

Collaboration & Relationships

Internal: President and CEO, NCFA staff, and other leadership as needed to advance fundraising and

selected organizational priorities.

External: Donors, prospective donors, foundations and other funders, partners, and other external

contacts relevant to development and CEO-led initiatives.

Other Duties: This position may be asked to perform other duties and responsibilities that are

reasonably related to the position and support NCFA’s mission and organizational needs.

Salary range: $90,000-$110,000

National Council For Adoption AdoptionCouncil.org

431 North Lee Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

[phone]