Senior Director of Development & Fundraising Strategy

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

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.