Job Description
Job Description
Our client is seeking a Director of Advancement to join their growing team to help expand their reach, strengthen their relationships, and lead their fundraising efforts with confidence and creativity.
Our client is a dynamic nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering neurodivergent young people and transforming the workplace. Founded in 2013, their mission is to celebrate neurodiversity by creating access, cultivating skills, and revolutionizing the workplace for all.
The Director of Advancement is a senior leadership role responsible for advancing the organization's mission through relationship-driven fundraising, donor engagement, community presence, and strategic communications. This role blends external-facing advancement leadership with internal collaboration to support growth, sustainability, and visibility. The Director of Advancement leads fundraising strategy and execution while serving as a public ambassador for the organization. This position reports to the CEO.
Work Environment/Benefits
- This is a hybrid position located in Washington, DC.
- Compensation range is $95,000 - $115,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Key Responsibilities
Advancement & Fundraising Leadership
- Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals, including annual giving, major gifts, special and seasonal campaigns, planned giving, and grant development..
- Cultivate, steward, and maintain strong relationships with individual, corporate, and foundation donors to ensure long-term engagement and retention.
- Identify, cultivate, and help secure foundation and government grants.
- Plan, coordinate, and execute donor cultivation and fundraising events.
- Oversee donor database and CRM systems, ensuring accurate tracking of gifts, acknowledgments, and sponsorships, and leading reporting, segmentation, and analysis of donor behavior.
- Draft and oversee donor acknowledgment communications and oversee donor invoicing in collaboration with the Operations Team.
- Serve as the organizations internal expert on fundraising strategy, advising the CEO and leadership with confidence and credibility.
- Supervise and mentor Advancement & Communications team member(s), providing clear direction, feedback, and professional development.
Communications & Marketing
- Oversee the organizations overall communications and marketing strategy, working in collaboration with the Communications Associate.
- Support creative content development by brainstorming, researching, and refining messaging that advances the organization's mission and fundraising goals.
- Ensure timely and accurate updates to the organizations website and digital platforms are implemented.
- Serve as an effective ambassador for the organization by engaging with community partners, funders, and supporters.
- Support outreach initiatives including information sessions, presentations, and collaborative partnerships that expand the organization's reach and influence.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with program leadership to understand program impact and translate outcomes into compelling donor-facing narratives.
- Partner with leadership to strengthen systems and structures that support sustainable growth and engagement.
- Contribute to a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive organizational culture.
Other Duties as Assigned
Required Qualifications
- Development Expertise: A minimum of 7–10 years of experience in development, advancement, fundraising, or relationship-driven roles, including donor cultivation, CRM management, events, appeals, grant writing, and development-related communications.
- Technical Proficiency: Experience using fundraising software and CRM systems to manage donor relationships and analyze data. Familiarity with Bloomerang and Mail Chimp is a plus.
- Educational Experience: A bachelors degree is required; a masters degree is preferred. Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential is highly desirable.
- Mission Alignment: A deep commitment to inclusion, dignity, and respect, with professional or lived experience related to neurodiversity, disability, or equitable access strongly valued.
- Strong Relationship Skills: Demonstrated ability to build authentic, long-term relationships with donors and partners by understanding motivations and aligning engagement with mission and impact.
- Clear and Effective Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling messages that inspire action and advance organizational goals; complemented by strong interpersonal skills.
- Excellent Project Management Skills: Highly organized, detail-oriented, and reliable, with strong follow-through and the ability to manage team members effectively while also managing up by keeping leadership informed and aligned.
- Entrepreneurial Mindset: Comfort taking initiative, advancing ideas, and building systems with minimal oversight; ability to take initiative, work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in education, workforce development, DEI, disability inclusion, or programs focused on equitable access and support.
- Transferable experience from sales, business development, outreach, or relationship-centered roles.
- Experience operating in a nonprofit or small, high-growth organization.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong relationship-building and influence skills.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort taking initiative and running with ideas.
- High level of executive functioning, including time management, follow-through, and attention to detail.
- Comfortable managing up and keeping leadership informed and aligned.
- Ethical, values-driven approach to work with sound judgment and maturity.
- Technical fluency with fundraising software, CRM systems, and digital tools.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
- Ability to sit for extended periods of time (frequently).
- Ability to communicate verbally and hear effectively (frequently).
- Ability to use hands and fingers to operate standard office equipment (frequently).
- Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 25 pounds (occasionally).
- Moderate noise level in the work environment