Sr. Director of Foundation Partnerships

Alliance Defending Freedom•Lansdowne, VA

4d•$103,000 - $150,000

About The Position

The Senior Director of Foundation Partnerships sets portfolio strategy, manages top-tier foundation relationships, develops access to funders across the organization, and coaches and leads the Foundation Partnership team. The role reports to the VP of Development and holds the team’s pipeline accountable to the SVP of Development. The position supports organizational growth and ADF’s mission to protect religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights. The role develops and executes a multi-year growth strategy, oversees prospect qualification and pipeline forecasting, and works toward annual foundation revenue goals, including a team goal of $10 million or more for lead and principal gifts from foundation relationships. The Senior Director personally stewards approximately 10–20 top-tier foundation relationships and leads six- and seven-figure fundraising conversations and closings. The position also builds relationships with internal and external partners, coaches fundraising talent, provides spiritual encouragement and mentoring, and oversees team progress and administrative approvals. The position is listed in Scottsdale, Arizona; Lansdowne, Virginia; or Dallas, Texas. Travel may reach 40 nights per year. The stated Virginia salary range is $103,000–$150,000, with actual compensation potentially varying by experience, skills, qualifications, and office location.

Requirements

At least 7 years of fundraising experience with proven success closing six- and seven-figure gifts.
At least 5 years of management experience.
Understanding of budgets as they relate to proposals and grants.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Salesforce.
Strong self-motivation and initiative.
Ability to travel up to 40 nights per year.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

Create and execute a multi-year growth strategy for the Foundation Partnerships team in alignment with the organization’s revenue-growth vision.
Systematize the mining, screening, rating, and qualifying of prospective foundations, and keep relationship tiers current.
Own the foundation forecast reported to the SVP of Development, including activity and pipeline reporting and revenue forecasts.
Meet or exceed annual foundation revenue goals, including the team goal of $10 million or more for lead and principal gifts from foundation relationships.
Determine team KPIs and ensure accountability to those metrics.
Personally steward a portfolio of approximately 10–20 top-tier foundation relationships.
Lead six- and seven-figure conversations and closings within the portfolio, aligning funders’ philanthropic goals with ADF’s mission.
Convert ADF’s institutional relationships—including principals, board members, allies, program leaders, and senior staff—into access for the Foundation Partnerships team.
Engage organization executives and current ministry friends in peer-prospect identification, visits, and six- and seven-figure closings.
Establish mutually beneficial relationships with alliance partners and organizations.
Develop the team’s ability to build relationships, navigate alignment vetting, and advance foundations through the pipeline.
Coach and develop emerging fundraising talent among ADF staff and the team, and provide spiritual encouragement and mentoring.
Meet regularly with team members to discuss progress and complete performance reviews.
Approve PTO requests, timecards, and expense reports.