Director of Philanthropy & Engagement

Position Overview

The Miami Foundation is seeking a highly relationship-driven professional to expand and deepen its network of donors, families, professional advisors, and community partners.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives on meeting people, building trust, developing networks, and turning relationships into meaningful opportunities. Depending on the candidate’s background and expertise, the position may focus more heavily on individual and family philanthropy and major gifts , professional advisor engagement and planned giving , or a combination of both.

The ideal candidate is a confident and engaging relationship builder who can comfortably connect with high-net-worth individuals, business leaders, entrepreneurs, wealth advisors, attorneys, financial professionals, family offices, and community leaders.

We are open to traditional fundraising professionals as well as candidates from relationship-intensive fields such as wealth management, private banking, trusts and estates, family offices, professional services, luxury real estate, business development, hospitality, or other environments serving sophisticated clients.

Key Responsibilities

Relationship Development & Philanthropy

• Build and deepen relationships with high-net-worth individuals, families, professional advisors, business leaders, and other centers of influence throughout Greater Miami.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective donors and philanthropic partners.
• Manage a portfolio of relationships and develop strategies to increase engagement and philanthropic investment.
• Conduct discovery conversations to understand donor interests, family considerations, community priorities, and long-term goals.
• Create opportunities that result in major gifts, referrals, donor introductions, planned gifts, and other philanthropic commitments.
• Provide meaningful ongoing stewardship to donors, families, advisors, and other key relationships.

Business Development & Community Engagement

• Build a strong pipeline through networking, referrals, community involvement, events, professional associations, and existing relationships.
• Proactively develop new relationships rather than relying solely on inbound opportunities.
• Cultivate centers of influence who can introduce The Foundation to prospective donors and families.
• Represent The Miami Foundation at business, civic, professional, social, and philanthropic events.
• Participate in meetings, presentations, roundtables, educational programs, and other experiences designed to build and deepen relationships.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for The Miami Foundation throughout Greater Miami.

Donor, Advisor & Planned Giving Engagement

Depending on experience and area of focus, responsibilities may include:

• Developing relationships with individual donors and families and identifying opportunities for major philanthropic commitments.
• Building relationships with estate planning attorneys, wealth managers, financial advisors, accountants, trust officers, family offices, and other professional advisors.
• Helping donors and advisors explore charitable planning strategies, including donor-advised funds, estate gifts, beneficiary designations, charitable trusts, and other planned giving opportunities.
• Growing the Foundation’s pipeline of legacy and planned gifts.
• Engaging family members and next-generation philanthropists to build long-term relationships.
• Partnering with internal and external experts on sophisticated or complex charitable gifts.

Portfolio Management & Collaboration

• Maintain accurate donor, prospect, and relationship information within the Foundation’s CRM.
• Track pipeline activity, meetings, opportunities, solicitations, commitments, and stewardship.
• Collaborate with philanthropy colleagues on high-value donor and advisor opportunities.
• Partner with the Vice President of Philanthropy, CEO, Leadership Team, and Board members on strategic relationships.
• Prepare pipeline and relationship updates for leadership.
• Depending on level and experience, mentor, coach, or supervise philanthropy staff.

What We’re Looking For

We are intentionally open to candidates from a variety of backgrounds, including:

• Major gifts, philanthropy, fundraising, or planned giving.
• Wealth management, private banking, trusts and estates, or financial services.
• Family office or private client services.
• Professional services, consulting, or advisor relations.
• Luxury real estate, hospitality, or membership organizations.
• Business development, relationship management, or other client-facing roles serving high-net-worth individuals or sophisticated stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in fundraising, business development, relationship management, wealth management, private client services, philanthropy, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success building trusted relationships with high-net-worth individuals, families, professional advisors, executives, entrepreneurs, or community leaders.
• Experience turning relationships into meaningful financial commitments, referrals, business opportunities, or long-term partnerships.
• Strong networking and business development instincts with the ability to independently develop new relationships.
• Experience managing a portfolio or network of relationships with disciplined follow-up and engagement.
• Major gifts, planned giving, estate planning, charitable giving, or complex gift experience is highly valued but not required for candidates with strongly transferable relationship-building experience.
• Supervisory experience is preferred for the Senior Director level.
• Credentials such as CAP®, CFP®, JD, or related expertise are helpful but not required.

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Confident, personable, and comfortable initiating conversations with new people.
• Natural networking ability and strong community presence.
• Strong listening, communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to establish credibility with sophisticated donors, clients, advisors, and community leaders.
• Entrepreneurial, proactive, persistent, and results oriented.
• Strong emotional intelligence, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Highly organized and disciplined in managing relationships and follow-up.
• Genuine interest in philanthropy and the Greater Miami community.