Senior Director, Donor Engagement

Orr Group

$140K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of nonprofit experience with a focus on frontline fundraising and development leadership.
  • Advanced fundraising skills across various donor types with a track record of securing major gifts.
  • Direct experience in identifying, cultivating, and closing donations rather than only managing through others.
  • Proven leadership ability and capacity to manage a donor portfolio successfully.
  • Strategic planning expertise for effective major donor engagement and stewardship.
  • Bachelor's degree required; additional certifications in fundraising are a plus.
  • Solid understanding of nonprofit sector regulations, trends, and governance principles.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee project management and day-to-day account operations for client engagements.
  • Lead and mentor project teams, enhancing collaboration and growth.
  • Serve as the primary liaison for clients, ensuring effective communication.
  • Manage a portfolio of major donors and participate actively in fundraising efforts.
  • Step into interim leadership positions for client organizations as needed.
  • Facilitate board retreats and synthesize information for client presentations.
  • Uphold project fulfillment and innovate solutions to client challenges.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans available.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
  • Generous paid holidays and time off policies.
  • Commitment to employee advancement opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Full Job Description
Position Summary

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.
Responsibilities

Each project at Orr Group is specially tailored and designed for the needs of that particular client. Generally, Senior Directors oversee project management, guide day-to-day account operations, drive teamwork strategies, and serve as the principal liaison with the client. They actively lead the work of the project as well as the data collection and analysis, report writing, and client presentations.

Senior Directors may be staffed 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. In these roles, Senior Directors may also manage a donor portfolio directly and operate as a trusted member of the client's senior team from day one.

Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Communicating effectively with a wide variety of audiences, including board members, C-suite, staff, donors, and outside advisors
  • Collaborating on client work with Orr Group team members, managing up and down
  • Overseeing day-to-day operations and fulfillment of contracted projects
  • Managing project teams and coordinating project work for others; serving as mentor and coach to team members
  • Serving in interim leadership roles for an organization
  • Holding a portfolio of donors on behalf of a client and supporting solicitations of major gifts
  • Facilitating and leading board retreats
  • Synthesizing and presenting information to clients
  • Discovering solutions and employing new and innovative ideas
Qualifications
  • 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
  • CFRE, CSPG, CFM and other accreditations recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals or the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners a plus
  • 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; PMP certificate a plus
  • 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
Additional Information

Base salary starting at $140,000 annually and bonus potential up to $35,000 annually; subject to adjustment based on geolocation.

We recognize the systemic inequities that shape our world, and we're committed to combating them. Because we strive for continued equity in our workplace, the salary for this role has been carefully crafted in alignment with the market. Comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, vision plans and 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, paid holidays, and generous paid time off.

We are committed to providing advancement opportunities for our employees where they can explore their talents, potential, aspirations, and dreams that will strengthen their personal growth and development.

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