Director of Development

Job Description

Director of Development \n

REPORTS TO:  Chief Philanthropy Officer

START DATE: Immediate POSITION

POSITION: Full-Time

SUMMARY:  Breakthrough Miami seeks a  results-driven Director of Development to grow and sustain unrestricted giving in support of the organization’s mission and programs. The Director will secure  annual and multi-year unrestricted gifts , manage a portfolio of 175–225 donors and prospects , create and execute an annual strategy to move prospects through the donor cycle, and leverage events, campaigns, and community opportunities to drive giving. 

This role requires an experienced fundraiser who can  build authentic relationships quickly, actively engage prospects, and consistently close gifts . The Director will be accountable for achieving a  Year 1 fundraising goal of $750K , with growth to $1.25M in Year 2and $1.5M+ annually thereafter. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising & Revenue Growth  

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• Achieve Year 1 goal of $750K in unrestricted individual giving, with growth targets of $1.25M in Year 2 and $1.5M+ annually. 
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• Manage a portfolio of 175–225 individual donors and prospects, including current, lapsed, and new supporters with giving capacity from $5,000 to $250,000+. 
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• Conduct a minimum of 3–5 donor meetings weekly (180–200 annually) to cultivate relationships and close gifts. 
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• Leverage events, campaigns, and other engagement opportunities to build donor momentum and secure contributions. 
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• Manage the Support-A-Scholar Annual Fund, including campaign strategy, goal-setting, prospect lists, appeals, and reporting  
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• Manage the Support-A-Scholar Ambassador Committee, including communications, committee engagement, and support and stewardship.  
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• Create templates for annual fund outreach, appeals, and solicitation.  
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• For major gift doors, create and deliver personalized proposals, presentations, and reports to connect donors with the mission and commit to giving. 
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• Partner with the CEO, CPO, and Board to engage leadership and volunteers in donor cultivation and closing efforts. 
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Relationship Development & Stewardship  

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• Build authentic, trust-based relationships quickly, understanding donor motivations and actively moving them toward giving. 
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• Forge 25+ new donor relationships annually while cultivating existing donors for renewals. 
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• Lead stewardship to ensure donors feel recognized, informed, and connected to impact. 
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• Represent Breakthrough Miami at events, school functions, and community gatherings, cultivating prospects in independent school circles and broader philanthropic communities. 
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• Collaborate with marketing and communications to produce donor communications including appeals, acknowledgments, and updates. 
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Collaboration & Systems  

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• Work synergistically with program teams to ensure fundraising aligns with program needs and opportunities, activating staff as advocates and ambassadors. 
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• Work with Operations and Finance to ensure accurate gift entry, acknowledgment, and reconciliation. 
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• Maintain up-to-date CRM records (Salesforce) of all donor activity and engagement. 
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• Support alumni and Scholar parent network engagement and annual giving initiatives, including Give Miami Day. 
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• Engage Breakthrough Advisory and Parent Liaisons as partners in fundraising initiatives and to ignite new relationships. 
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• Support development team with events and administrative needs as necessary. 
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• Keep current on philanthropy trends and best practices to enhance fundraising efforts and donor experiences. 
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Qualifications  

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• 5–7 years of progressive fundraising, relationship management, or related experience. 
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• Proven ability to fundraise $1M+ annually; close gifts efficiently; and manage a portfolio of annual, mid-level, and major donors. 
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• Positive attitude and ability to authentically transmit energy, joy, and passion for the mission to donors and partners. 
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• Demonstrated skill in building authentic relationships quickly and moving prospects from interest to commitment. 
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• Exceptional follow-up skills and disciplined routines. 
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• Strong organizational and communication skills; able to manage multiple priorities and follow through on commitments. 
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• Proficiency in Salesforce or similar CRM and Microsoft Office/Google Suite. 
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• Self-starter with persistence, drive, and results-oriented, able to work independently and collaboratively. 
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• Deep commitment to educational opportunity and Breakthrough Miami’s mission. 
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You Found Your Dream Job If…  

You’re passionate about Breakthrough Miami’s mission to provide educational opportunity and empower youth to thrive. 

You’re an effective fundraiser who knows how to balance quick asks with strategic cultivation. You’re driven by results and know how to move prospects from interest to commitment, whether that means closing a $5,000 gift with a high-energy pitch or building a lasting six-figure relationship over time. You’re energized by both wins. You bring positivity, joy, and enthusiasm to your work, inspiring donors, volunteers, and colleagues alike. 

You can navigate and advance a diverse donor portfolio with urgency and quickly build and activate giving relationships with strategy, spirit, and authenticity. You’re comfortable working a room of strangers, and the independent school parent communities, sharing the mission of Breakthrough Miami, and getting others excited about our work.  

You can thrive under pressure, ensuring a steady stream of funds by proactively and creatively cultivating opportunities. You navigate challenges and the ever-changing landscape with ease, and you handle a “no” gracefully, maintaining relationships for the long term. You’re a team player who enjoys collaboration but also knows how to manage a portfolio independently, staying on point with timely follow-up to keep relationships moving forward. 

Reports to Chief Philanthropy Officer. This is an in-person position with flexibility.