Deputy Chief of Development

Job Description

Job Description

MISSION
Our mission is to support strong children, strong families, and strong communities.

VISION
At Martha’s Table, we believe that every Washingtonian deserves the opportunity to stay and thrive.

ABOUT MARTHA’S TABLE

At Martha’s Table, we believe that every Washingtonian deserves the opportunity to thrive. For over forty years, we have worked to support strong children, strong families, and strong communities by increasing access to quality education, health and wellness, and family resources.

Together, we are “One MT.” This means we work across all three of our locations to support our shared mission. In all that we do, we exemplify our four core values of respect, compassion, teamwork, and accountability. These values -- and our commitment to “the MT Experience” -- guide how we engage with the communities we stand alongside and how we work together as a team. When you come to Martha’s Table -- as a guest or as a team member -- you are valued and you deserve our very best.

In order to be the best version of MT, we are deeply committed to equitable practices. We apply the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in providing programming and services; in creating our Board; in partnerships and procurement; and in hiring, training, and advancing our team members.

We invest in our team members’ personal and professional goals through our “STEP” program, which includes tuition for continuing education, certifications, and professional development; funding to unlock financially held transcripts; and flexible leave options.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Deputy Chief of Development drives sustainable philanthropic growth by leading a high-performing development team and advancing comprehensive fundraising strategies across multiple funding streams, including community/civic, individuals, institutions (corporate and foundation), planned giving, special events, and workplace giving to increase revenue and support Martha's Table's long-term mission.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Strategy & Revenue Growth 

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that drives sustainable philanthropic growth across community/civic philanthropy, individual giving, institutional giving (corporate and foundation), planned giving, and special events.
• Collaborate with the Chief Development & Communications Officer, CEO, and senior leadership to establish annual fundraising priorities, revenue goals, and long-term growth strategies that advance Martha's Table's mission and strategic plan.
• Lead the implementation of integrated fundraising initiatives that maximize donor acquisition, retention, upgrades, and long-term philanthropic investment across all revenue streams.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of department-wide fundraising initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment across fundraising programs, operational excellence, and achievement of annual revenue goals.
• Analyze fundraising performance, donor trends, and philanthropic market opportunities to identify emerging opportunities and mitigate potential risks.
• Recommend strategic investments, fundraising priorities, and operational improvements that strengthen organizational revenue and long-term financial sustainability.
• Assume responsibility for achieving annual fundraising goals and revenue performance across all philanthropic funding streams.
• Represent Martha's Table with donors, philanthropic partners, corporate and foundation funders, and community leaders to strengthen relationships, expand philanthropic investment, and advance the organization's fundraising priorities.

Development Leadership & Team Management

• Supervise Development team members, establishing clear performance expectations and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Direct the day-to-day operations of assigned fundraising functions, ensuring effective execution of departmental priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Mentor team members by providing coaching, fundraising expertise, and leadership development that strengthen individual performance and prepare future organizational leaders.
• Delegate responsibilities and decision-making authority to maximize staff growth, operational efficiency, and fundraising effectiveness.
• Evaluate individual and team performance through regular feedback, goal setting, and performance management processes.
• Cultivate a high-performing, donor-centered culture grounded in collaboration, innovation, and measurable fundraising outcomes.
• Develop leadership capacity across the Development team through coaching and ongoing professional development to prepare future managers and organizational leaders.
• Assume leadership of the Development department in the absence of the Chief Development & Communications Officer, ensuring continuity of operations and strategic decision-making.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Attend at least 50% of Martha's Table's anchor events annually.
• Commitment to Martha’s Table’s mission and core values of compassion, respect, teamwork, and accountability.
• Embodies and serves as a model for “The Martha's Table Experience” and our organization’s core values.

Major Donor Strategy & Executive Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and strategic prospects, developing customized strategies that increase philanthropic investment and long-term donor engagement.
• Design comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and upgrade plans that align donor interests with Martha's Table's strategic priorities.
• Provide recommendations on the fundraising strategies of the CEO, Chief Development & Communications Officer, and senior leadership with their fundraising portfolios
• Convene and facilitate organization-wide donor pipeline reviews, holding fundraising leaders accountable for portfolio performance, resolving barriers to donor movement, and ensuring alignment across all fundraising programs.
• Prepare high-quality proposals, briefing materials, stewardship reports, and donor communications that support successful fundraising outcomes.
• Strengthen relationships with current and prospective donors through strategic engagement opportunities, personalized stewardship, and senior team participation.
• Monitor portfolio performance, donor pipeline movement, and fundraising progress to ensure achievement of annual revenue goals.
• Report regularly on donor engagement, solicitation activity, pipeline health, and portfolio performance to executive leadership.

Board Engagement

• Partner with the Chief Development & Communications Officer and CEO to strengthen Board fundraising engagement by supporting fundraising planning, donor strategies, and Board member participation in cultivation and solicitation activities.
• Prepare Board and Development Committee meeting materials, including fundraising reports, dashboards, donor pipeline updates, and strategic recommendations.
• Develop fundraising resources, presentations, and briefing materials that strengthen Board participation in philanthropy and donor cultivation.
• Coordinate Development Committee activities, follow-up actions, and fundraising initiatives that support organizational revenue goals.

Fundraising Operations, Performance & Reporting 

• Review fundraising operations, systems, and workflows to improve efficiency, strengthen donor experiences, and support organizational growth.
• Administer the Development department budget by monitoring expenditures, forecasting revenue, and ensuring effective stewardship of organizational resources.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to support revenue forecasting, budget planning, reconciliation, and organizational reporting.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, donor stewardship standards, and fundraising best practices.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated success leading comprehensive fundraising programs across individual, institutional, planned giving, special events, and community/civic philanthropy while achieving ambitious revenue goals.

• Experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-net-worth individuals, institutional funders, and strategic partners, while partnering closely with executive leadership and Boards of Directors.

• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing fundraising teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

• Proven ability to foster a culture of accountability, equity, and continuous improvement through active mentorship, clear goal-setting, and effective performance management. 

• Experience overseeing organization-wide fundraising campaigns, donor portfolios, budgets, and fundraising operations, while using data and performance metrics to inform strategy and strengthen donor engagement.

• Demonstrated ability to build cross-functional partnerships and represent the organization with donors, community leaders, and philanthropic partners to advance organizational priorities and long-term financial sustainability.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead comprehensive fundraising strategies that inspire investment, strengthen relationships with supporters, and generate sustainable revenue across multiple funding streams. 
• Ability to translate organizational priorities into meaningful opportunities for donors to invest in strong children, strong families, and strong communities. 
  
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to build authentic relationships with donors, Board members, corporate and foundation partners, community leaders, and colleagues. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate Martha's Table's mission and impact through compelling storytelling that inspires long-term partnership and philanthropic investment.
• Demonstrated experience in leading, coaching, and inspiring a high-performing development team. 
• Skilled at delegating responsibilities, empowering team members to grow, and cultivating a collaborative, innovative environment that aligns with Martha's Table’s mission and values.