Senior Director of Development

Senior Director Of Development

We need hope-bringers and changemakers - because the work we all do matters. Join a team that shows up for each other as much as we show up for our clients. At Gaudenzia, your purpose fuels progress - for yourself and others.

Gaudenzia's Mission is to promote long-term recovery by providing comprehensive treatment and support to people with substance use disorder, co-occurring mental health disorders, and related conditions, regardless of individual circumstances.

As a Senior Director of Development, you will lead the organization's comprehensive fundraising, donor engagement, and community relations strategy. Provides executive leadership for philanthropy, donor stewardship, foundation relations, corporate partnerships, grants management, and community engagement initiatives. Serves as a key ambassador for Gaudenzia, increasing the organization's visibility, strengthening community partnerships, expanding philanthropic support, and advancing a culture of giving throughout the organization. Responsible for achieving annual and long-term fundraising goals while cultivating strategic relationships with donors, community leaders, foundations, corporations, government stakeholders, and Board members to enhance the organization's mission, impact, and financial sustainability.

Work is performed with considerable independence within established regulations, policies, and procedures.

Travel is required.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Community Affairs, Public Relations, Fundraising, or relatable degree
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in fundraising and community affairs
• Minimum of 2-3 years of supervisory or management experience.
• Regular travel is required to attend donor meetings, community events, conferences, partnership meetings, organizational locations, and fundraising activities.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and maintain the ability to travel independently.

Essential Functions, Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Fund Development

• Develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive fundraising and philanthropy strategy aligned with organizational priorities and strategic goals.
• Establish annual and long-range fundraising objectives, revenue targets, and performance metrics.
• Identify opportunities to diversify revenue streams and increase philanthropic support through innovative fundraising initiatives.
• Lead organizational fundraising campaigns, donor appeals, special initiatives, and capital or growth campaigns as appropriate.
• Provide strategic counsel to executive leadership regarding fundraising trends, donor opportunities, and philanthropic investments.
• Monitor industry best practices and emerging trends in nonprofit development and donor engagement.

Major Gifts & Donor Relations

• Build, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donors and prospective supporters.
• Develop personalized engagement and stewardship plans to strengthen donor relationships and increase giving levels.
• Conduct donor visits, presentations, and cultivation activities to secure significant philanthropic investments.
• Ensure timely donor recognition, stewardship communications, and impact reporting.
• Lead planned giving and legacy giving initiatives to strengthen long-term organizational sustainability.

Foundation, Corporate & Government Relations

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with foundations, corporations, businesses, and government representatives.
• Identify, pursue, and secure funding opportunities through grants, sponsorships, contracts, and philanthropic investments.
• Oversee proposal development, grant submissions, reporting processes, and compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with organizational leaders to align funding opportunities with programmatic priorities and organizational growth strategies.
• Represent Gaudenzia in meetings with community stakeholders, philanthropic leaders, and funding partners.

Community Engagement & External Relations

• Strengthen the organization's visibility, reputation, and brand awareness throughout the communities served.
• Develop and implement community engagement strategies that support organizational growth and mission advancement.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, healthcare providers, businesses, and civic leaders.
• Serve as an organizational spokesperson at community events, meetings, conferences, and donor gatherings.
• Promote awareness of organizational accomplishments, impact outcomes, and service initiatives.

Board & Volunteer Engagement

• Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors to advance fundraising and community engagement priorities.
• Support Board development activities related to donor cultivation, fundraising initiatives, and ambassador engagement.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and fundraising performance updates for Board committees and leadership meetings.
• Assist Board members in identifying, cultivating, and engaging prospective donors and community partners.

Department Management & Operations

• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision for development staff and related functions.
• Establish departmental goals, budgets, performance expectations, and accountability measures.
• Develop systems and processes that optimize donor engagement, stewardship, prospect management, and fundraising outcomes.
• Oversee donor databases, reporting tools, fundraising technology platforms, and performance analytics.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable fundraising regulations, ethical standards, grant requirements, and organizational policies.
• Collaborate across departments to support mission advancement and organizational priorities.

Performance Management & Evaluation

• Monitor fundraising performance and evaluate outcomes against established goals.
• Analyze donor trends, campaign performance, and revenue results to inform strategic decisions.
• Prepare executive-level reports, dashboards, and recommendations for senior leadership and Board review.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen development operations and fundraising effectiveness.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises development, grants, donor relations, community engagement, and related personnel.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable employment laws.
• Responsible for hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, employee development, and succession planning.
• Promotes a collaborative, mission-focused, and results-driven work environment.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of nonprofit fundraising principles, grant writing, donor development practices, and philanthropic trends.
• Ability to oversee grant funding secured and compliance outcomes achieved.
• Strong understanding of major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, campaign management, grants administration, and donor stewardship.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic fundraising plans that achieve measurable results.
• Exceptional relationship-building, networking, and partnership development skills.
• Outstanding written, verbal, public speaking, and presentation abilities.
• Strong financial, analytical, and budget management skills.
• Ability to interpret data and use metrics to drive decision-making.
• Demonstrated leadership, team development, and change management capabilities.
• Ability to lead a team and hold staff accountable
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet competing deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage business technology and computers operating systems, including Microsoft Office Suites, CRM systems, HRIS, and KPI dashboards and reporting.

What We Offer: Competitive Pay - Excellent Benefits - On The Job Training - Upward mobility - Educational assistance to help you grow with us in this life saving field!

Gaudenzia is proud to be an employer of choice - and a treatment provider of choice - in the substance use and co-occurring disorders treatment field. We work hard to foster an inclusive, supportive environment where our employees and clients always feel safe and welcome.

Come work with us!

Our Agency is committed to the principles of equal employment. We believe in fostering a positive work environment in which every employee is treated with respect. Our staff hiring and recruitment practices are grounded in fairness, transparency, and merit. All employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, relevant skills, experience, and alignment with our mission and values. We actively recruit from a broad range of educational and professional backgrounds to attract the most qualified candidates, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants without preference or discrimination. Our process uses consistent and clear evaluation criteria to support objective decision-making. By emphasizing accountability, efficiency, and integrity throughout every stage--from job posting to onboarding--we build a workforce defined by excellence, professionalism, and commitment to our shared purpose. Gaudenzia is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy regarding all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other