Director, Major Gifts - Northeast

National Multiple Sclerosis Society•Washington, DC

6d•$140,000 - $160,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning. Job Summary: The Director of Major Gifts is responsible for managing a regional portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, with a focus on securing six- and seven-figure transformational gifts and contributing to national fundraising campaigns. This role leads donor acquisition and pipeline growth by partnering closely with regional staff and leadership and working with the Prospect Research team to identify and cultivate new prospects. A key expectation of this role is the proactive and ongoing development of a robust portfolio—through strategic research, attendance at key events, and strong collaboration with colleagues across departments. Acquisition is critical to the long-term success of this position, and the Director is expected to consistently engage new donors and broaden the pipeline. The Director oversees all stages of the donor lifecycle, from identification to stewardship, and collaborates cross-functionally to ensure alignment with the organization’s national fundraising strategies. Using data and donor insights, the Director develops targeted engagement plans, contributes to revenue forecasting, and implements strategic stewardship efforts in partnership with Donor Relations to deepen donor engagement and increase revenue growth. Location Requirement: This role supports our Northeast Region, requiring 30%+ travel for events, training, regional meetings, and organizational gatherings. While the role offers flexibility in work location, to be considered a candidate must be based and work within the region the position supports (or have plans to relocate) to ensure strong local engagement and accessibility. Must be willing and able to travel through geographic service area; the position requires frequent, in-person attendance at meetings, donor/supporter meetings, and events. Ability to do daily local travel during peak season of work and occasional overnight travel; requires access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis. As this role supports our Northeast Region, the preferred metro area(s) are as follows: New York, NY, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, PA, and Boston, MA

Requirements

Demonstrated and relevant fundraising experience with advanced understanding of prospect qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Record of leadership and accomplishment in fundraising, including pipeline development, acquisition planning, and cross-functional revenue generation.
Able to assess staff talent, mentor, and train others toward a shared vision, providing strategic guidance to ensure staff meet their designated revenue and activity goals.
Proven ability to support broad and technical fundraising campaigns, collaborating effectively with staff and volunteers to secure major and principal gifts.
Extensive nonprofit experience with increasing leadership responsibility, successfully driving 6-7 figure gifts
Track record of implementing innovative fundraising strategies that drive engagement and revenue growth.
Strong ability to perform under pressure, handle criticism professionally, and consistently meet fundraising commitments.
Exceptional project management, strategic planning, and negotiation skills to drive effective resource allocation and optimize fundraising outcomes.
Advanced CRM expertise, leveraging data analytics to drive decision-making and implement data-driven fundraising strategies.

Responsibilities

Manage a regional portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, with a focus on securing six- and seven-figure transformational gifts that align with organizational priorities.
Build and strengthen the portfolio proactively through strategic research, attendance at key events, and collaboration with colleagues and volunteers to identify and engage new prospects.
Drive donor acquisition and long-term pipeline growth, leveraging internal partnerships and the Prospect Research team to expand and diversify the major gifts portfolio—recognizing acquisition as a critical component of sustainable revenue growth.
Stay current on the organization’s national and global funding opportunities and priorities to ensure informed, relevant, and strategic donor engagement.
Support and execute the collective responsibility for national fundraising campaigns, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and contributing to shared revenue targets.
Oversee all stages of the donor lifecycle—from identification through stewardship—ensuring meaningful and strategic engagement throughout.
Partner cross-functionally with regional staff, internal key stakeholders, and volunteers to identify, cultivate, and advance relationships with new and existing major gift prospects.
Participate in regular portfolio reviews to refine strategy and maximize donor potential, with a focus on growth and high-impact engagement.
Collaborate with leadership and key internal stakeholders to craft compelling cases for support and develop tailored proposals in partnership with Donor Relations that inspire transformational giving.
Align cross-functionally within Development to create a cohesive donor experience and facilitate major gift upgrades.
Implement strategic stewardship plans in partnership with Donor Relations to retain donors, deepen engagement, and increase long-term investment.
Provide fundraising insights and contribute to revenue forecasting, collaborating with the Individual Giving team and aligning efforts with national priorities.
Utilize CRM and additional tools effectively for timely and accurate data management, ensuring adherence to organizational KPIs for accountability and performance evaluation.
At this career level, you are leading by helping your peers understand a subject area.

Benefits

considerable Paid Time Off Plan
Paid Holidays
401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match
Commuter Benefit Plan
Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including:
Medical
Dental
Vision
Flex Spending Accounts
Life Insurance
Disability Coverage
Spring Health Membership offering free therapy and professional coaching, as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings.