Senior Director, Donor Engagement

Orr Group•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Orr Group believes that by working with leading and cutting-edge nonprofits, we can help solve the world’s most pressing challenges. Through our embedded partnership model, Orr Group supplies the people, resources, and custom approaches to drive missions forward, making us more than just a consultancy. Our services include strategy development and implementation, fundraising and event planning, campaign assessment and execution, talent acquisition and management, planned giving expertise, and leadership development. For the last 30+ years, we have partnered with an incredibly diverse and influential assembly of clientele to assist in generating revenue and leveraging resources more effectively, remaining flexible and nimble to ideate solutions in an ever-changing nonprofit landscape. Orr Group’s services are split between four practice areas: Advisory Services, Capacity Building, Donor Engagement, and Talent Management. The Donor Engagement practice area works in service of development teams, embedding our talent into our partner organizations to drive revenue. This practice area's service offerings include frontline fundraising with individual and institutional giving, board transformation, and interim development leadership. Our Senior Directors lead client teams, developing and implementing strategies to help our clients meet their goals. They also assume a leadership and mentoring role within Orr Group. Senior Directors may manage a combination of regional, national, and international clients. Depending on client needs, this position may require that up to 50% of time be spent on a client site. Candidates based in the Washington, DC or New York City areas are preferred. Remote candidates will also be considered; remote staff are required to travel to an Orr Group office or client once per quarter.

Requirements

10+ years of nonprofit sector experience with substantial depth in frontline fundraising (Major Gifts and Institutional Giving) and Development Leadership.
Experience in Planned Giving, Campaigns, and Board Development is a plus.
Advanced fundraising acumen across the full donor lifecycle and range of gift types and sizes, from five-figure major gifts to complex six- and seven-figure principal and planned gifts, with demonstrated success engaging diverse donor types (individual, corporate, foundation, and institutional).
Direct, frontline fundraising experience, personally identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts, not solely overseeing others who do.
Demonstrated ability to step into leadership role and own a portfolio as a trusted member of a team.
Ability to develop and implement strategic fundraising plans to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors effectively.
Bachelor's degree required.
A strong understanding of the nonprofit sector, including fundraising best practices, donor trends, and relevant regulations.
Excellent verbal and written communication, including strong attention to detail and editing skills.
In-depth knowledge of board governance principles, best practices, and legal requirements preferred.
Strong facilitation skills.
Understanding of financial principles and ability to interpret financial data.
Ability to handle multiple clients and projects simultaneously.
Strong time/project management and organization skills and the ability to remain flexible and effective under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated desire and ability to lead a team toward a shared goal.
Demonstrated proficiency with AI tools and a genuine interest in how AI can enhance fundraising strategy, client service, and the way our teams work, with a desire to keep learning and applying new tools as they emerge.
Flexibility to work long and varying hours (when needed) to meet fixed deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Planned Giving, Campaigns, and Board Development.
CFRE, CSPG, CFM and other accreditations recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals or the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners a plus.
PMP certificate a plus.

Responsibilities

Oversee project management, guide day-to-day account operations, drive teamwork strategies, and serve as the principal liaison with the client.
Actively lead the work of the project as well as the data collection and analysis, report writing, and client presentations.
Serve in interim leadership capacities (e.g., interim Chief Development Officer, VP of Development, or Director of Major Gifts) for client organizations, in addition to advisory and embedded consulting engagements.
Manage a donor portfolio directly and operate as a trusted member of the client's senior team from day one.
Communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences, including board members, C-suite, staff, donors, and outside advisors.
Collaborate on client work with Orr Group team members, managing up and down.
Oversee day-to-day operations and fulfillment of contracted projects.
Manage project teams and coordinate project work for others; serve as mentor and coach to team members.
Hold a portfolio of donors on behalf of a client and support solicitations of major gifts.
Facilitate and lead board retreats.
Synthesize and present information to clients.
Discover solutions and employ new and innovative ideas.