Managing Director of Development

College Summit• US,

14h•$135,000 - $175,000•Remote

About The Position

For 30 years, PeerForward has been built on a simple and powerful idea: students listen to their peers. In high schools, we train students as Peer Leaders who change the college-going culture of their entire school. They help classmates complete the FAFSA, apply to colleges that fit, and map out what comes next. Peer Leaders don’t just open doors for others. They walk through them too, persisting in college at rates above the national average. And our work doesn’t stop at high school graduation. We are growing on college campuses, where peer leadership helps students stay enrolled, find belonging, and finish their degrees. What started as one idea is now an international college success organization, working in 11 states and in Bermuda, and reaching more than 700,000 students over three decades. Our mission is to get students to and through college.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, including at least 5 years in a senior development role.
Demonstrated experience in strategic development, building both the resources and the relationships that sustain an organization over the long term.
Comfort and credibility representing an organization before public, private, and community stakeholders, from funders and elected officials to school and neighborhood partners.
A documented record of personally closing gifts of $100,000+ and leading an organization or department to annual revenue goals of $4 million or more.
Experience building and managing a development team, including hiring, coaching, and performance management.
Strength across institutional and individual giving, with deep experience in foundation relationships.
Disciplined, data-driven approach to pipeline management; proficiency in Salesforce or a comparable CRM.
Excellent writing and verbal communication; able to make a complex model simple and compelling.
Experience working directly with a CEO and Board, and comfort managing upward.
Commitment to PeerForward’s mission and to students from low-income and first-generation communities.

Nice To Haves

Experience in education, youth development, or college access and success.
Campaign experience, especially an anniversary or capital campaign.
Established relationships with national education funders.
Experience with public funding sources (state, county, or federal).

Responsibilities

Own the annual and multi-year development plan, revenue targets, and diversified funding mix.
Partner with the CEO and senior leadership to align fundraising priorities with program strategy and budget.
Provide monthly revenue and cash-flow projections; coordinate with Finance on pledges and receivables.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a personal portfolio of major individual, foundation, and corporate funders.
Lead solicitation meetings independently and with the CEO; prepare the CEO and Board members for their asks.
Open new doors with national foundations, corporate partners, and high-net-worth individuals.
Oversee the proposal and reporting calendar, ensuring compelling, on-time, accurate submissions.
Lead, coach, and hold accountable the development team and contracted partners.
Maintain disciplined prospect management in Salesforce, including weekly moves management and pipeline reporting.
Establish clear metrics for each team member and portfolio: activity, pipeline, and dollars closed.
Staff the Board’s Development Committee and equip Board members to open doors and give.
Represent PeerForward at events and with external audiences; collaborate with Marketing on donor communications and the funder newsletter.