Director of Advancement

Foundation Academies•Trenton, NJ

1d•$80,000 - $108,000

About The Position

You will help define how this organization funds its future. The systems you build, the relationships you steward, and the culture you set within advancement will determine what is possible in the years ahead. This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior role at a moment when your decisions will matter — and where success is visible, measurable, and deeply meaningful.

Requirements

7+ years of fundraising experience with increasing responsibilities, including managing staff while remaining an active fundraiser.
Proven success closing five- to six-figure gifts and building pipelines toward larger opportunities.
Strong systems and strategic mindset: skilled in CRMs, moves-management tools, and designing processes to drive organizational growth.
Exceptional organizational, follow-through, prioritization, research, and preparation skills.
Comfortable operating in relationship-driven, externally facing environments, with a willingness to network extensively in Mercer County.
Collaborative, disciplined, outcomes-oriented, and mission-focused, with an ownership mindset and a desire to shape an organization’s future trajectory.
Energized by turning relationships into long-term partnerships and thinking strategically about where time, money, and attention should be spent.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain robust systems for donor research, engagement, stewardship, and tracking, ensuring data-driven decision-making and consistent follow-through.
Lead weekly tactical and donor relations meetings, supervise and develop the Senior Advancement Associate, and partner with the Advancement Associate to implement a new CRM for long-term adoption.
Personally close $500,000+ annually in five-figure gifts, manage annual campaigns generating $150,000+ in three- and four-figure gifts, and cultivate pathways toward six- and seven-figure opportunities.
Identify, engage, and steward strategic fundraising targets, leveraging donors, board members, and community partners to unlock institutional and individual opportunities.
Serve as a visible, trusted presence in Princeton and Mercer County philanthropic and business communities, participating in events, networks, and memberships with clear strategic intent.
Develop creative strategies to introduce and engage new prospects, prioritize high-impact donor interactions, and ensure senior-level engagement throughout the stewardship cycle.
Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer to focus resources on high-value activities, streamline processes, and maximize mission impact.
Drive employee engagement opportunities for corporate partners, moving relationships into annual renewal cycles with increased giving.
Stay current on local, regional, and statewide philanthropic trends, funding priorities, and opportunities to inform strategic fundraising efforts.