Sr. Director of Advancement

Besa • Columbus, OH

15h • $85,000 - $115,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Besa launched 13 years ago with an operating budget of $25,000. We’ve since scaled to a $2M+ organization with 15 team members, and now we're looking to set the stage to scale again. To get there, we need to build new funder relationships -- both with traditional philanthropic donors and through our social enterprise with businesses looking to engage their workforce in volunteer programs -- while nurturing the relationships that have brought us this far. 

The Sr. Director of Advancement is central to making this happen. In this role, you'll manage a portfolio of funders, cultivating current relationships while bringing new ones to the table through in-person visits and strategic asks. Key to success: balancing traditional philanthropic fundraising with business partnership development, making asks from small to large, converting connections into committed partners, and staying focused on nurturing transformational relationships alongside a visionary founder and team who care deeply about how we show up for the community.

Requirements

• 5+ years in nonprofit fundraising and/or social enterprise, with a proven track record of achieving revenue goals
• Experience working in growth-oriented organizations with $1M-$5M budgets
• Demonstrated success in making asks and securing financial commitments -- from small donations to six-figure investments
• Background in earned revenue models, sales, or social enterprises, with a strong ability to cultivate business partnership relationships
• Experience leading or mentoring direct reports, with a commitment to developing others and building a high-performing team
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with donors, businesses, and key stakeholders -- you know how to deepen current relationships while building new ones
• Strong project management abilities, with the capacity to balance multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Exceptional storyteller and communicator -- you craft narratives that bring Besa's impact to life in proposals, reports, and donor communications
• Proficient in HubSpot, Kindful, or similar CRMs, leveraging data to enhance donor and partner engagement
• Focused on relationships and the game we play, not just the scoreboard
• Takes "no" with grace and resilience, ready to always get back on the bike
• Collaborative leader -- you're energized by partnership
• Committed to strengthening systems and processes that support sustainable growth
• All in on Besa's mission to strengthen our community through volunteerism
• Regularly use a computer and engage with co-workers in both office and virtual environments.
• Frequently stand or sit to complete work, with occasional lifting and movement of up to 40 pounds.
• Reliable transportation is required due to occasional local travel, including a valid Ohio Driver’s license.
• Responsible for providing a phone and ensuring an adequate workspace for completing all work.

Nice To Haves

• Experience preferred with EOS Traction framework for goal-setting, accountability, and organizational alignment

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and business partner prospects, including those with capacity for gifts of $10,000 and above
• Practice moves management through the full donor lifecycle: identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and renewal
• Make in-person visits with current, past, and prospective funders primarily in the Central Ohio region
• Qualify and assign prospects from the donor pool into appropriate portfolios
• Document all funder interactions and activities in HubSpot
• Make direct asks for financial contributions, sponsorships, and business partnerships -- from small gifts to six-figure commitments
• Develop proposals and close business partnership agreements that align corporate engagement goals with Besa's mission
• Partner with the program team to steward business partnerships through regular check-ins from onboarding through renewal
• Engage funders through Besa volunteer events and cultivation activities
• Nurture relationships across board leadership and staff to support advancement goals
• Supervise and support the Sr. Advancement Coordinator, providing day-to-day guidance, coaching, and accountability to ensure strong performance and professional growth
• Collaborate to strengthen workflows, documentation, and systems that support sustainable growth
• Undertake additional duties as assigned, contributing flexibly to the dynamic needs of the organization

Benefits

• Energetic and collaborative team environment passionately dedicated to transforming the volunteer experience and bringing people together in service
• Headquarters located in Columbus, Ohio's Brewery District, within a collaborative and inspiring workspace
• Generous PTO policy, Summer Fridays, and an additional 10 paid holidays.
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits, retirement plan with employer match of up to 3% of salary, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability benefits, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Investment in your growth through coaching, professional development opportunities, and access to sector learning (conferences, workshops, training)
• Regular volunteer opportunities, team retreats, and a culture rooted in our values

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees