Senior Director, Development

Braille Institute•Los Angeles, CA

7d•$130,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

Join us in building a more inclusive world at Braille Institute of America. We are undertaking one of the most transformative initiatives in our history, planning our next century of success in serving the blind and visually impaired communities. Through our 2024-2025 strategic planning process, we identified the next generation opportunities to advance critical initiatives in areas such as customer research; the expansion and transformation of current programs and services; the development of new nationally and internationally accessible programs; the creation of dynamic new strategic partnerships; and the alignment of our mission, strategy, and resources. If you are ready to join a dynamic organization transforming the lives of individuals experiencing vision loss, we want you on our team. At Braille Institute, we are driven by a shared purpose: to serve the blind and low vision community. We come together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, finding fulfillment in the impact we create. We believe in fostering a culture that is collaborative, inclusive, and flexible. We understand the importance of work-life balance, valuing both personal and professional fulfillment. Here, you'll find an environment that supports your well-being while providing opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive alongside colleagues who are sighted and visually impaired. Join us in embracing technology and innovation as we shape the future of accessibility and positively transform the lives of those with vision loss. The Senior Director of Development is a strategic fundraising leader responsible for building, expanding, and optimizing Braille Institute’s mid‑level and major giving programs. Our goal is to grow our base of private support by 10X by 2030. This position is critical to that growth and oversees a team of gift officers and plays a critical role in designing donor strategies, deepening donor engagement, and growing sustainable philanthropic revenue to advance our mission. The Senior Director provides vision, leadership, and hands‑on partnership in cultivating donor relationships, strengthening the donor pipeline, and ensuring frontline fundraisers are equipped and supported. This role collaborates closely with organizational leadership to integrate fundraising priorities across the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or fundraising certification (for example, Certified Fundraising Executive) preferred.
8–12+ years of progressive development experience, including leadership of major gifts programs.
Proven track record in securing major gifts and managing successful donor pipelines.
Demonstrated success leading and developing high‑performing teams of frontline fundraisers.
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into effective fundraising plans.
Strong relationship‑building skills, with experience cultivating and soliciting high‑capacity donors.
Deep knowledge of donor cultivation cycles, solicitation strategies, and stewardship best practices.
Proficiency with donor Customer Relationship Management systems (we use Salesforce).
Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, goal‑driven environment.
Ability to travel throughout the region and country, when needed, to meet with high-capacity donors and prospects.
Commitment to Braille Institute’s mission and to empowering individuals with vision loss.
Collaborative, inclusive leadership style that promotes teamwork and trust.
High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and adaptability.
Ethical, donor‑centered approach to fundraising.

Nice To Haves

Participation in prior capital campaigns is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Development
Develop and execute strategies to grow mid‑level and major giving programs in alignment with organizational goals.
Build and manage a scalable donor pipeline that supports long‑term fundraising success.
Define annual development plans, revenue targets, and performance metrics for giving programs.
Oversee portfolio strategy, including prospect identification, assignments, and moves‑management processes.
Team Management & Coaching
Lead, mentor, and support a team of gift officers, fostering a collaborative, high‑performance culture.
Establish expectations for portfolio management, cultivation activities, and solicitation goals.
Provide ongoing coaching and professional development to enhance fundraising skills and effectiveness.
Promote accountability, transparency, and excellence in frontline fundraising practices.
Portfolio & Donor Engagement
Manage a portfolio of 75-100 major gift donors and prospects
Support gift officers with complex cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
Engage personally with high‑capacity donors and prospects, participating in key meetings and solicitations.
Ensure a robust, donor‑centric stewardship program that strengthens long-term relationships.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Work closely with executive leadership, program staff, communications, and operations to align fundraising priorities with mission needs.
Partner with development operations team to ensure accurate reporting, forecasting, and donor data integrity.
Collaborate Development Communications Manager to support donor interviews, storytelling, campaign messaging, and personalized engagement materials.
Data‑Driven Decision Making
Utilize analytics to inform strategy, assess fundraising effectiveness, and identify opportunities for growth.
Oversee reporting, revenue tracking, and dashboard development to monitor performance and pipeline health.
Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising standards, internal policies, and donor privacy expectations.