Director of Development

Love146•CT, CT

13d•$115,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Love146 is seeking a Director of Development who is equal parts strategist and relationship-driven fundraiser. This senior, high-visibility role reports directly to the CEO and is responsible for leading a small development team and managing a portfolio of significant individual donors and prospects. The ideal candidate will have genuine relationships with high-net-worth individuals, fluency in donor-advised fund giving, and a strong understanding of trust-based philanthropy. This role offers significant growth potential, with the opportunity for the scope and organizational leadership to expand as the fundraising program matures.

Requirements

Minimum 7 years of nonprofit development experience.
Direct major gift solicitation experience.
At least 3 years supervising staff.
Demonstrated success personally cultivating, soliciting, and closing multiple five- and six-figure gifts from high-net-worth individuals.
Track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets.
Established relationships and credibility within high-net-worth philanthropic circles, with the ability to activate those networks.
Working knowledge of donor-advised funds and demonstrated success generating DAF revenue.
Familiarity with trust-based philanthropy principles and experience engaging funders who practice them.
Experience building and managing a major gift pipeline with disciplined moves management in a CRM (Salesforce strongly preferred).
Comfort operating as both strategist and executor in a lean organization.
A Bachelor's degree is required; relevant experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
Proficiency in Salesforce, Excel/Sheets, and G-Suite.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in a related field, or CFRE certification.
Experience with planned and legacy giving programs.
Experience with corporate partnerships and cause-marketing.
Experience with fundraising technology platforms (Classy preferred) and marketing automation tools.

Responsibilities

Own and personally manage a portfolio of 65-85 high-net-worth donors and prospects, focusing on cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at the five-, six-, and seven-figure levels.
Aggressively source new high-net-worth prospects through personal networks, donor referrals, Board connections, wealth advisors, family offices, and regional philanthropic circles.
In collaboration with the CEO, design and execute donor-specific cultivation strategies based on donor values and philanthropic goals.
Develop and grow donor-advised fund revenue by identifying DAF-holding donors and prospects, building relationships with DAF sponsors and foundations, navigating grant recommendation cycles, and converting giving into multi-year commitments.
Cultivate and steward relationships within trust-based philanthropy networks and funder collaboratives to secure unrestricted, multi-year, and capacity-building support.
Partner with the CEO to strategically deploy their time for joint cultivation visits, bespoke asks, and high-touch stewardship.
Equip and support Board members and the Fundraising Committee to facilitate introductions and donor engagement.
Recruit, equip, and steward donors who host house parties and third-party fundraisers.
Identify and secure transformational gifts, including multi-year commitments, legacy and planned gifts, and capacity-building investments.
Meet and exceed personal and departmental fundraising targets.
Develop and execute Love146's annual and multi-year fundraising strategy in partnership with the CEO and Finance Leadership.
Drive a diversified revenue model including individual and major gifts, institutional and foundation philanthropy, corporate partnerships, sustainer and mid-level donors, and digital campaigns.
Build and maintain accurate revenue forecasts, monitor pipeline health, conversion rates, donor retention, and fundraising costs.
Develop and oversee the donor development department's annual budget in coordination with the CEO and Finance Leadership.
Optimize Salesforce for donor segmentation, moves management, and pipeline tracking.
Partner with the Communications team on fundraising campaigns, appeals, donor communications, and events.
Oversee strategy, budget, and execution for Love146's signature fundraising events (annual gala and golf tournament).
Provide clear revenue reporting to leadership and the Board, highlighting risks and opportunities with recommendations.
Lead, coach, and develop the development team, setting clear roles, measurable goals, and a culture of ownership and accountability.
Evaluate performance, address issues, and invest in the growth of direct reports.
Hire and manage staff and vendors in accordance with Love146 HR and Operations policies.
Foster a team culture of creativity, candor, collaboration, and shared commitment to the mission.
Contribute to organizational strategy and cross-departmental planning as a senior leader.
Represent Love146 externally in philanthropic networks, funder collaboratives, and sector forums.