Strategic Development Leader — Major Gifts & Growth

AVANCE Houston, Inc.; Dacoma (OK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Company-paid medical insurance

Company-paid telemedicine services

Company-paid basic life insurance

403(b) retirement plan with employer-m

28 paid holidays annually

15 days of PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

AVANCE Houston, Inc. seeks a visionary Director of Development to lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with our mission to empower children and families.

This role will shape annual giving, major gifts, grants, events, donor engagement, and governance support to secure long-term financial sustainability. You will partner with the Executive Director and Advisory Board, oversee a diverse development team, manage the grant program, and deliver compelling donor communications, campaign

Qualifications

• 10+ years of fundraising and nonprofit leadership experience.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven success securing major gifts, sponsorships, and grants.
• Experience managing annual fundraising goals of $3M+.
• Supervising development staff and leading teams.
• Experience with executive leadership, boards, and committees.
• Planning and executing major events and donor cultivation.
• Strong grant development, reporting, and compliance experience.
• Budgeting, forecasting, and performance metrics expertise.
• Collaboration with finance, communications, marketing, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual development strategy aligned with mission and priorities.
• Establish fundraising goals, monitor progress, and implement growth strategies.
• Lead all fundraising initiatives (annual giving, major gifts, grants, events, online giving).
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors across sectors to increase support.
• Manage donor pipeline using moves management to strengthen relationships.
• Oversee donor stewardship and recognition programs for retention.
• Oversee grant development from research to reporting and stewardship.
• Collaborate with ED, Deputy Director, and program staff to identify funding opportunities.
• Prepare fundraising presentations and donor proposals for leadership.
• Develop and manage the development department budget and resources.

Skills

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Fundraising leadership

Confidentiality

Diversity & inclusion

Board relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree preferred

CFRE credential preferred

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Salesforce

Bloomerang

DonorPerfect

Job description

AVANCE Houston, Inc. seeks a visionary Director of Development to lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with our mission to empower children and families.

This role will shape annual giving, major gifts, grants, events, donor engagement, and governance support to secure long-term financial sustainability. You will partner with the Executive Director and Advisory Board, oversee a diverse development team, manage the grant program, and deliver compelling donor communications, campaign