Director of Advancement

CHILD DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES • Williamsburg, VA

11h • $90,000 - $110,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Child Development Resources (CDR), a mission-driven nonprofit providing early intervention, early childhood, family support, home visiting, prevention, and community-based services, is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Director of Advancement. Based at CDR's Williamsburg, Virginia campus, this position leads fundraising, donor relations, branding, marketing, communications, and community engagement strategies to strengthen philanthropic support, organizational visibility, and long-term sustainability.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director provides strategic leadership for comprehensive advancement efforts, connecting fundraising, donor engagement, marketing, branding, and communications. The role leads and develops the Advancement team, establishes measurable goals, evaluates fundraising performance, manages departmental resources, and builds lasting relationships with individuals, corporations, foundations, and community organizations. The Director works closely with organizational leadership, the Board of Directors, donors, community partners, and volunteers.

Requirements

• At least five years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including donor cultivation, stewardship, solicitation, and fundraising campaigns.
• Experience in marketing and communications, grant or proposal writing, special events, and staff or project leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, fundraising records, multiple priorities, and competing deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, relationship-building, and persuasive communication skills.
• Strong strategic planning, analytical, organizational, and leadership abilities.
• Proficiency with donor management databases and Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, and SharePoint.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to accommodate occasional evening or weekend events.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading integrated advancement programs combining fundraising, donor relations, marketing, branding, and communications.
• Demonstrated success with major gifts, capital campaigns, planned giving, and nonprofit brand strategy.
• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, nonprofit management, business, or a related field; a master's degree is desirable.
• Relevant professional fundraising or communications credentials.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate annual and long-term fundraising strategies aligned with CDR's mission, priorities, and financial sustainability.
• Lead major gifts, annual appeals, planned giving, capital campaigns, corporate sponsorships, and special events.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, foundation, civic, and faith-based donors.
• Build donor relationships through personalized engagement, compelling communications, and thoughtful stewardship.
• Oversee grant prospecting, proposal development, submissions, and coordination with program leaders on funding opportunities and reporting.
• Establish measurable fundraising goals, monitor performance, and identify opportunities to improve philanthropic results.
• Lead CDR's brand strategy and strengthen its organizational identity, visibility, and recognition.
• Develop and oversee integrated marketing and communications strategies that communicate CDR's mission, programs, accomplishments, and community impact.
• Ensure consistent, engaging, professional messaging across communication channels and materials.
• Oversee public relations, media outreach, website content, social media, newsletters, fundraising appeals, promotional materials, and organizational reports.
• Create compelling stories and communications that encourage donor engagement, community partnerships, and philanthropic investment.
• Identify approaches to expand CDR's reach, strengthen its reputation, and connect with new audiences.
• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, business leaders, foundations, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Represent CDR at community meetings, presentations, donor visits, fundraising events, and other external activities.
• Support the Executive Director and Board members in cultivating philanthropic relationships and advancing fundraising priorities.
• Identify strategic partnership, sponsorship, and community engagement opportunities.
• Serve as an ambassador for CDR and communicate its mission and impact.
• Lead, coach, evaluate, and develop Advancement team members, fostering collaboration, accountability, creativity, and professional growth.
• Establish departmental priorities, performance expectations, and measurable objectives.
• Develop and manage the Advancement budget, monitor fundraising performance, and evaluate return on investment.
• Oversee donor management systems, gift tracking, donor records, acknowledgment processes, and confidentiality practices.
• Coordinate Advancement activities with CDR programs, the Executive Director, the Board Advancement Committee, and community volunteers.
• Ensure Advancement activities comply with applicable laws, grant requirements, and organizational policies.
• Provide timely reports and recommendations to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.

Benefits

• 6% non-contributory 401(k) contribution of compensation, subject to a three-year vesting period.
• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off.
• Paid holidays.
• Paid Spring and Winter breaks.
• Other programs designed to support employees personally and professionally.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed