Sr. Director of Development

Massachusetts Nonprofit Network; Needham (MA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K plan with company match

Paid time off & holidays

Fringe benefits including disability &

Job summary

Dream Big! seeks a Sr. Director of Development to lead fundraising efforts and refine the organization’s revenue plan in eastern Massachusetts. This role partners with the CEO, Board, and senior leadership to secure major gifts and expand corporate/foundation support.

The successful candidate will build a high-performing development team, manage donor relations, and drive data-driven fundraising while engaging volunteers and events to meet targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience leading fundraising efforts and major gifts within a mission-driven org.
• Proven ability to build and manage a development program and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising strategy and revenue planning with CEO and Board.
• Manage major gifts from individuals, families, and foundations.
• Oversee events including annual gala and donor engagement activities.
• Develop and manage donor portfolio, pipeline, and stewardship.
• Collaborate with Board Development Committee and corporate partners.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Team management

Donor relations

Communication

Budget management

Travel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Salesforce

Raiser's Edge

Job description

About the Organization:

Dream Big! works to break down the economic barrier that prevents thousands of girls and young women from economically disadvantaged communities from participating in sports and physical activities. Dream Big! provides girls and young women with sports attire, equipment, athletic footwear, program fees, and college showcase scholarships needed that contribute to their health, education, and overall well-being. Since founded in 2010, Dream Big! programs have impacted over 100,000 girls, young women, and elementary school children in underserved communities.

When you join Dream Big!, you will find a rewarding, supportive, and results-oriented environment. We are driven by our mission and motivated by the impact we are achieving. Dream Big! looks for committed individuals who are problem solvers and team players. The Dream Big! office is located in Needham, MA.

Position Summary

Dream Big! seeks an exceptional fundraising leader who is passionate about our mission, women’s sports, has a strategic orientation, demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and track record of securing major gifts within Massachusetts. Reporting to the CEO, the Sr. Director of Development will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team and will be responsible for refining and delivering on the organization’s revenue plan, including leading fundraising efforts in close collaboration with the CEO and Board members.

The Sr. Director of Development will partner closely with the CEO and other leadership in creating a fundraising short- and long-range plan, expand corporate and foundation partnerships, and mobilize the Board’s Development Committee, with a focus on raising major gifts from individuals, families, and family foundations.

The successful Senior Director of Development will have strong frontline major gift fundraising experience, demonstrated success building a development team, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and strong relationship building and management skills. In addition, they are comfortable making data driven decisions and serving as a spokesperson for the organization.

This is an in-person position in which the person would be required to currently reside in eastern Massachusetts and work 4 days per week in the Dream Big! office in Needham, MA with the option to work remote on Friday’s. The Director should expect to be in the office the majority of the time, with some flexibility for occasional weekend and evening work to accommodate donor, family, and corporate engagement & special events.

Major Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with the CEO to improve pipeline development and prospect research, create aligned fundraising practices that support organizational growth and donor engagement.
• Responsible for realizing the annual budget goals, from major donors, corporations, individuals, families, foundations & special events.
• Build and manage a portfolio of individual, corporate and foundation prospects and donors through active identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, leveraging the CEO to advance relationships.
• Oversee the planning and execution of signature fundraising events, including the annual gala & auction and others.
• Understanding of the Greater Massachusetts philanthropic community is a plus.
• Oversee the Dream Big! Boston Marathon Charity Team and all other Dream Big! running related fundraisers.
• Build and manage a portfolio of national individual, corporate and foundation prospects and donors through active identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, leveraging the CEO to advance relationships.
• Work closely with the Board of Directors to support fundraising and serve as liaison to the Board Development Committee.
• Work closely with corporate partners and community organizations to support and manage equipment and sports attire drives and third party fundraising events.
• Work closely with the finance department to ensure strong customer service and compliance on gift agreements, processing, and acknowledgement.
• Prepare regular reports for the Executive Director and Board of Directors, highlighting progress toward revenue goals and major donor engagement metrics.
• Maintain an up to date donor database

Required Experience/Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Must embrace the mission of Dream Big!.
• A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, or a related field is preferred.
• Leadership experience managing teams and driving revenue growth, preferably in a mission-driven organization.
• 5-10 years minimum experience in professional fundraising, including experience raising major gifts, annual support, corporate and foundation gifts, event marketing, special event management, grant writing and managing campaigns. Experience must include a proven track record of cultivating and securing major gifts within Massachusetts.
• Demonstrated success working with board members, and other volunteer committees.
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, with ability to tailor messaging to different audiences.
• Experience with budget creation and management experience.
• Proficiency with donor management software (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge) and data-driven fundraising approaches.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel for donor visits
• Passionate about youth development, girls and women’s sports, and education.
• Must have a car and drivers license

Compensation and Benefits:

The estimated salary for this position is $100,000-$125,000 annually. The compensation offered to the successful candidate may vary from the posted range based on work experience, education, and/or skill level, among other things.

This is a benefits-eligible position. Dream Big! offers a generous benefits package, which includes, but is not limited to:

• 100% employer-paid health & dental insurance
• Employer-sponsored short- and long-term disability and basic life insurance
• 401K plan with company match
• Generous paid time off to include fifteen vacation days, twelve paid holidays, and ½ day summer Fridays
• Paid one-week shutdown period (typically the week between Christmas and the New Year)
• Opportunity to make a significant impact on girls and young women through sports and physical activities.
• Connectivity to sports networks and a wide variety of community and corporate partners

Dream Big! is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.