Director, Individual Giving (Annual Giving)

United Way of Massachusetts Bay • Boston, MA

1d • $100 - $110 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Individual Giving oversees United Way of Massachusetts Bay's annual giving strategy, focusing primarily on growing and retaining individual donors who give up to $10,000 annually. The role leads a multi-channel fundraising program spanning direct mail, workplace giving donor engagement, annual appeals, giving societies, volunteer fundraising committees, and stewardship initiatives to increase donor participation, retention, and philanthropic investment.

Reporting to the Vice President, Individual Giving, the Director develops and executes strategies to strengthen the donor pipeline, deepen engagement across giving levels, and create meaningful pathways for donors to increase their investment over time. The Director partners with Development and External Affairs colleagues to deliver integrated fundraising campaigns and donor experiences, and leads and coaches a small team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• At least 8 years of fundraising or transferable experience in the private or nonprofit sector.
• Proven ability to build donor relationships resulting in leadership annual gifts.
• 2–3 years of experience managing direct reports.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to inform, inspire, and connect prospects and donors to United Way's community work.
• Strong customer service skills and commitment to donor confidentiality.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to build internal partnerships and work within cross-functional teams.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to a changing environment.
• Creative and strategic problem-solving ability.
• Highly motivated self-starter who takes initiative and action and is committed to accountability.
• Proficiency in a Microsoft Office environment.
• Reliable internet access and flexibility to work a hybrid schedule, including at least two days per week at United Way's Boston office.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to the mission of United Way of Massachusetts Bay.

Nice To Haves

• Experience and understanding of a consultative sales and engagement approach.
• Experience with data management systems.
• Volunteer or committee management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction, planning, and execution of the annual giving program, primarily for donors contributing up to $10,000 annually.
• Develop integrated fundraising strategies to increase donor acquisition, retention, renewal, and upgrades across annual giving channels.
• Oversee annual fundraising calendars, campaign planning, and performance measurement to achieve revenue goals.
• Monitor annual giving metrics and analytics, using donor insights to refine strategies and improve results.
• Develop and oversee direct mail, email appeals, and digital fundraising strategies in partnership with External Affairs.
• Collaborate on campaign messaging, creative development, audience segmentation, and donor journeys.
• Analyze, test, and report on campaign effectiveness and implement improvements based on results.
• Design donor experiences that cultivate engagement and encourage increased giving over time.
• Oversee stewardship and recognition programs to strengthen donor loyalty and lifetime value.
• Support leadership giving societies by developing opportunities that encourage donor progression.
• Maintain a limited portfolio of strategic donors, volunteer leaders, and key annual giving prospects as appropriate.
• Partner with Corporate Giving to maximize engagement and retention through workplace giving campaigns.
• Collaborate with Corporate Giving and Development Systems & Operations on donor segmentation, campaign execution, reporting, and data integrity.
• Work with External Affairs to align fundraising campaigns with organizational messaging, storytelling, and marketing initiatives.
• Coordinate across Development to support seamless donor experiences and thoughtful movement among annual, major, corporate, and planned giving strategies.
• Lead engagement of volunteer fundraising committees, giving societies, and other volunteer leaders to increase donor participation and community engagement.
• Recruit, prepare, and support volunteers in fundraising, cultivation, and ambassador activities.
• Partner with senior leadership to develop volunteer engagement strategies that expand the organization's philanthropic network.
• Supervise, coach, and develop Individual Giving team members; set goals and performance expectations and provide professional growth opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, results-oriented team culture emphasizing innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Represent United Way at donor meetings, community events, volunteer activities, and organizational functions.
• Build strong cross-departmental partnerships to advance fundraising priorities and organizational goals.

Benefits

• BCBS PPO plan
• Dental benefits
• 401(k) retirement savings with company match and discretionary employer base contribution
• PTO policy with summer hours and a three-day Thanksgiving closure
• Hybrid work schedule with at least two fixed days in the office per week

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director