Director of Advancement & Engagement
About The Position
Ronald McDonald House® Central Florida is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven fundraising professional to secure and grow individual philanthropic support at the $10,000-and-above level. The Director of Advancement & Engagement qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards prospective and current major donors to expand the donor pipeline and deepen engagement. The role manages a targeted portfolio of donors giving between $10,000 and $100,000 and develops personalized strategies to strengthen donor commitment and long-term support. Working closely with the President & CEO, Chief Development Officer, Board Members, senior leaders, and marketing partners, the Director connects donors with the organization’s mission and funding priorities. The position also leads multi-year fundraising strategies and donor stewardship programs, oversees donor database practices, supports event sponsorships and donor-focused events, and helps establish and evaluate annual major-gift goals. The role requires relationship-building, persuasive communications, strategic thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to handle confidential donor information. This position is based in an office environment with moderate noise and frequent interruptions. It requires regular and predictable attendance, travel between locations, and availability for irregular hours, shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed. The work includes light sedentary office duties and physical activities such as sitting, standing, walking, reaching, climbing, stooping, and carrying loads as described in the posting.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree; an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.
- Minimum 3–5 years of related experience and demonstrated success in donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship.
- Documented success personally implementing sophisticated, multi-year cultivation strategies using relationship-building and moves management to close gifts.
- Knowledge of databases and their capabilities.
- Strong office skills and knowledge of general office equipment.
- Excellent calendar management skills.
- Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Valid Florida driver’s license and operable vehicle.
- Ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective individual and foundation donors and interact by telephone and in person.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively and build productive relationships across constituencies.
- Demonstrated ability to organize work, meet strict deadlines, and set priorities.
- Self-motivation and discipline to regularly set and exceed work goals.
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and networking skills with individuals and large groups.
- Demonstrated analytical and strategic-thinking capabilities.
- Ability to maintain highly sensitive and confidential donor information.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Tactful, flexible, diplomatic, trustworthy, and positive approach.
- Proactive problem-solving ability and willingness to collaborate in support of a positive and productive work environment.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Ability to work effectively with all organizational levels and uphold high standards of honesty and confidentiality.
- Availability to work irregular hours, shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed.
- Ability and willingness to travel between necessary locations; capable of carrying 35 pounds.
- Ability to perform the described physical functions, including sitting, standing, walking, using hands, reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, talking, and hearing.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead and execute multi-year fundraising strategies aligned with the organization’s mission, securing new major donors at the $10,000-and-above level.
- Manage a portfolio of major donors contributing between $10,000 and $100,000, using personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
- Design and champion a donor stewardship and cultivation program, including recognition levels, impact reporting, and relationship-building touchpoints.
- Provide strategic leadership in planning and implementing Development and Operations initiatives that sustain and grow donor support.
- Oversee the donor database to maintain accurate records, timely reporting, and personalized donor acknowledgments and communications.
- Collaborate with marketing partners on targeted campaigns and messaging to increase donor engagement and giving.
- Conduct donor visits and tailored solicitations in partnership with organizational leadership.
- Support identification, qualification, and solicitation of major-donor sponsorships for annual events, including preparing proposals for ongoing and increased support.
- Assist with planning and executing donor-focused events, including event preparation and on-site support.
- Implement a structured program to build and maintain relationships with high-potential individual donor constituencies.
- Partner with the Chief Development Officer to establish and evaluate annual major-gift fundraising goals, objectives, and strategies.
- Qualify new prospects through strategic outreach, including cold calls and emails.
- Communicate the organization’s vision and funding priorities clearly and compellingly in writing and verbally to prospects and donors.
- Support community fundraising events and special events at off-site locations.
- Travel as necessary to engage and solicit prospects and travel between necessary locations using a personal vehicle or alternative.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
