Senior Director, Digital Fundraising Strategy

EAB•Washington, DC

2d•$115,000 - $142,500•Hybrid

About The Position

EAB is seeking a Senior Director of Digital Fundraising Strategy to serve as the organization's subject-matter expert in digital fundraising and Advancement marketing. This role will partner with EAB's business development teams to help institutions develop differentiated digital engagement strategies based on expertise in comprehensive and capital campaigns, digital fundraising, constituent engagement, and Advancement marketing. The position functions as a pre-sales and strategy subject-matter expert, collaborating with business development, Advancement strategy, creative, analytics, and delivery teams to craft digital fundraising solutions for prospective and existing partners. Success in this role involves shaping EAB's digital Advancement strategy, securing complex partnerships, influencing solution development, and enhancing market leadership through expertise, frameworks, and thought leadership. The role requires regular in-office presence (2-3 days/week) and can be based in Philadelphia, PA, Washington DC, or Richmond, VA. The official title for this hire is expected to be Senior Director, Digital Marketing Strategy, Advancement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent required.
At least 8-10+ years of progressively responsible experience in digital marketing, Advancement communications, fundraising strategy, media planning, consultative sales, or a related field.
At least 3 years of direct experience working in or advising higher education Advancement organizations, including experience supporting digital communications and engagement strategies for comprehensive and/or capital campaigns, with a strong understanding of donor acquisition, alumni engagement, and pipeline development.
Demonstrated ability to advise senior Advancement leaders and translate institutional priorities into integrated digital engagement and fundraising strategies.
Strong knowledge of digital fundraising and paid media strategy, including paid search, social media, display, video, and emerging channels, with the ability to determine how and when these channels should support broader Advancement goals.
Strong understanding of campaign communications and creative strategy, including audience segmentation, messaging, storytelling, calls to action, landing-page experiences, and donor journeys.
Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex strategies, data, and technical concepts into clear and compelling recommendations for senior leaders.
Demonstrated thought leadership capabilities, including experience developing presentations, webinars, articles, research, strategic frameworks, or other external-facing content.
Proven ability to lead through influence and work effectively across business development, strategy, creative, analytics, product, and service-delivery teams.
Strong judgment, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to identify emerging trends and assess their implications for higher education Advancement and fundraising.
Willingness to travel domestically approximately 15-20%.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in marketing, communications, higher education, fundraising, business, or a related field.
Experience supporting the development or growth of multi-million-dollar partnerships, consulting engagements, or complex institutional solutions.
Established credibility as a speaker, writer, facilitator, or subject-matter expert in digital engagement, Advancement, fundraising, campaign communications, or higher education marketing.
Familiarity with higher education Advancement systems, data structures, and practices, including constituent relationship management, donor segmentation, engagement scoring, and fundraising performance measurement.
Experience working with leadership annual giving, major gifts, alumni engagement, donor relations, or campaign teams.
Understanding of how artificial intelligence, automation, personalization, and emerging technologies are influencing Advancement communications and digital fundraising.
Commitment to continuous learning and to contributing to a collaborative and welcoming culture grounded in fairness, authenticity, and belonging in support of EAB’s mission, values, and aspirations.

Responsibilities

Serve as the strategic digital fundraising advisor to business development teams, shaping pursuit strategy, identifying high-value opportunities, and developing differentiated solutions that strengthen EAB's competitive position.
Serve as EAB's subject-matter expert in digital fundraising, constituent engagement, and higher education Advancement during partner and prospect conversations.
Translate institutional goals, capital and comprehensive campaign priorities, and audience needs into differentiated digital marketing recommendations that support business development efforts.
Participate in discovery sessions, proposal development, and executive presentations, helping partners understand how digital engagement strategies can strengthen fundraising outcomes.
Use market research, institutional data, audience insights, and campaign performance to develop strategic recommendations and identify opportunities for innovation.
Collaborate with analytics, creative, and strategy teams to ensure proposed solutions are thoughtful, achievable, and aligned with partner expectations.
Advise business development and partner teams on digital fundraising strategies that balance institutional goals, audience needs, budget, timing, and expected outcomes.
Advise institutions on how digital marketing can support capital and comprehensive campaign objectives, including campaign awareness, donor acquisition, participation, stewardship, and milestone communications.
Recommend integrated digital marketing approaches across paid search, paid social, display, video, landing pages, and emerging channels to support capital and comprehensive campaign communications, donor acquisition, participation, stewardship, and campaign awareness.
Provide guidance on campaign messaging, audience segmentation, creative strategy, calls to action, and digital donor journeys.
Develop digital engagement strategies that connect institutional stories with meaningful opportunities for alumni, donors, families, and friends to engage and give.
Ensure strategic recommendations are clearly documented and positioned for successful implementation by delivery teams.
Serve as the connector across business development, creative, analytics, and delivery teams to ensure proposed solutions are differentiated, feasible, and aligned with partner expectations.
Equip sales and partner-facing teams with the language, insights, examples, and tools needed to communicate the value of digital fundraising and engagement strategies.
Develop training, case studies, presentation materials, and strategic frameworks that strengthen internal understanding of digital Advancement practices.
Define and evolve EAB's point of view on digital fundraising, capital campaign marketing, and constituent engagement, ensuring our solutions remain differentiated and aligned with emerging market needs.
Advise senior leadership on emerging market trends, partner needs, and competitive dynamics to influence product strategy, service offerings, and go-to-market investments.
Establish EAB as a recognized leader in digital Advancement strategy by representing the organization at industry events, developing executive thought leadership, and influencing conversations across the higher education fundraising community.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans; dependents and domestic partners eligible
20+ days of PTO annually, in addition to paid firm and floating holidays
Daytime leave policy for community service and flextime for fitness activities (up to 10 hours per month each)
401(k) retirement savings plan with annual discretionary company matching contribution
Health savings account, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account, and pre-tax commuter plans
Employee assistance program with counseling services and resources available to all employees and immediate family
Wellness programs including gym discounts, incentives to promote healthy living, and family access to the leading app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
Fertility treatment coverage and adoption or surrogacy assistance
Paid parental leave with phase back to work program for birthing and non-birthing parents
Access to milk shipping service to support nursing employees during business travel
Discounted pet health insurance coverage for dog and cat family members
Company-provided life, AD&D, and disability insurance
Financial wellness resources and membership in a robust employee discount program
Access to employee resource groups, merit-based advancement, and dynamic professional growth opportunities