Director of Advancement

Junior Achievement•Salisbury, MD

4d•$60,000 - $65,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore (JAES) is part of a global organization with a local focus. Our JA Area delivers experiential learning that prepares students for what's next and partners with schools, businesses, foundations, and community leaders who are investing in innovative solutions for youth success. JAES and its partners are committed to an outcomes-based learning system, anchored by an Experiential Learning Center that serves as a Shore-wide hub for preparing young people for the future. JAES serves nearly 14,000 students across eleven counties each year. For more than 100 years, Junior Achievement has been a pioneer in advancing financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship, helping young people gain the confidence, capability, and connections they need to thrive. Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore (JAES) seeks a strategic, relationship-driven leader to serve as its next Director of Advancement. This position offers an opportunity for an emerging advancement leader to play a significant role in shaping the future of a growing organization. The ideal candidate is energized by building relationships, securing resources, and working closely with organizational leadership to expand the impact of Junior Achievement across the Eastern Shore. Reporting to the President & CEO, the Director of Advancement leads the day-to-day fundraising efforts of JAES and works closely with the President to strengthen donor relationships, secure philanthropic support, expand corporate partnerships, and grow annual revenue. The Director is both a strategist and a hands-on fundraiser, responsible for cultivating supporters and advancing opportunities that help sustain and grow the organization's impact. Success in this role requires a combination of strategic thinking, relationship-building, and direct expertise securing large sponsorships/gifts/grants. The ideal candidate is both highly driven and highly collaborative, bringing the ability to set ambitious goals, foster meaningful partnerships, and support the growth and success of staff, volunteers, and community stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business or nonprofit management, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience
5+ years of progressively responsible fundraising, advancement, business development, or partnership experience
Demonstrated success securing philanthropic support, sponsorships, corporate partnerships, or major gifts
Experience leading projects, initiatives, or teams
Strong relationship building and communication skills
Strong strategic planning and organizational skills
Ability to analyze data and make informed decisions
All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship, now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Experience supervising and developing staff.
Experience working with Boards of Directors
Experience in nonprofit leadership, education, workforce development, youth-serving organizations, or related sectors
Familiarity with CRM platforms and fundraising analytics
Knowledge of the Eastern Shore philanthropic and business community

Responsibilities

Establish and achieve annual fundraising goals across corporate, foundation, individual, sponsorship, and special funding sources as part of a comprehensive advancement strategy aligned with organizational priorities and growth objectives
Develop, manage and grow a portfolio of major donors, corporate partners, foundations, sponsors and strategic community stakeholders through active cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Identify and develop new funding opportunities, strategic partnerships, and revenue streams
Partner with the President, Board, and staff to strengthen donor engagement and fundraising outcomes
Serve as a visible ambassador for JAES throughout the region and represent the organization among business, philanthropic, and civic leaders
Provide leadership, guidance, and support to Advancement staff, interns, and volunteers while fostering a collaborative and mission-focused team culture
Ensure effective stewardship, grant management, and advancement processes that support donor retention and organizational compliance
Collaborate with Education and Operations on budgeting, forecasting, and revenue tracking in accordance with organizational standards and funding requirements
Utilize and oversee advancement systems and fundraising analytics to support effective fundraising and informed decision-making
Monitor fundraising performance, donor trends, and revenue opportunities to support long-term sustainability and growth
Support the development of donor communications, sponsorship materials, annual reports, and impact reporting to demonstrate impact to supporters and stakeholders
Utilize storytelling, program impact data, and fundraising results to deepen donor engagement. and reinforce JA's reputation as a leader in career-connected learning, economic mobility, and youth success
Partner across departments to ensure advancement strategies reflect program growth, community needs, and organizational priorities