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Senior Director of Development

Rochester, NY (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=444+East+Main+St.+Rochester+NY+USA+14604) • Development Office

Job Type

Full-time

Description

$75,000-$80,000 annually plus benefits including a free membership

Under the direction of the VP of Development, the Senior Director of Development serves as a frontline fundraiser responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors for annual, capital, and endowment priorities. This role will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors ($10,000+), supporting both Association-wide initiatives and branch-level priorities. The Director of Development will also work in close collaboration with Executive Directors and branch program leadership to develop personalized donor strategies, build strong relationships, and grow philanthropic investment in the YMCA of Greater Rochester’s mission. A successful candidate will be a strategic relationship builder, skilled communicator, and results-driven fundraising professional with a deep commitment to community impact.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 major gift prospects and donors ($10,000+) for annual, capital, and endowment support, with an emphasis on high-touch, relationship-centric fundraising.

• Spend at least 75% of the time conducting personal outreach to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects through one-on-one meetings, calls, and written communication.

• Collaborate and partner with Executive Directors and branch program leaders to support major gift level fundraising efforts and donor strategies tied to branch priorities.

• Strategize and partner with the Chief Development Officer and VP of Development to advance high capacity donor relationships across the Association and secure major gift level investments.

• Identify and advance new prospects through research, referrals, and partnership with the Development team, other YMCA staff, and volunteers.

• Track all prospect interactions and progress through Raiser’s Edge, ensuring timely updates and accurate documentation.

• Develop and execute individualized stewardship plans for major gift donors to deepen engagement and inspire continued support.

• Participate in donor recognition events and campaigns, representing the YMCA and sharing impact stories of donor giving.

• Collaborate with the Annual Campaign team to identify upgrade opportunities and support efforts to convert leadership annual donors into major gift prospects.

• Contribute to strategic planning conversations regarding development priorities and pipeline building.

• Attend all meetings, training, and events as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive fundraising experience with a strong track record of securing major gifts, preferably in a nonprofit, mission-driven organization.

• Exceptional communication skills, with extraordinary listening skills.

• Experience in sourcing prospects (through data, community connections, and partners), cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts $10,000 and greater.

• Proven track record of developing and implementing effective fundraising strategies and building strong donor pipelines.

• Experience working directly with senior leadership and board members/volunteers on donor engagement and fundraising strategies.

• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret donor data and use it to inform strategy.

• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Knowledge of local philanthropy landscape.

• Ability to work collaboratively.

• Embodiment of the YMCA’s core values consistent with the mission of the YMCA.

• Experience with Raiser’s Edge preferred.

• Must have a personal vehicle and the ability to travel within the service area on a consistent basis.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to stand or sit for the duration of the shift

• Must be able to bend and stoop occasionally

• Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds occasionally

• Must be able to travel from location to location

Salary Description

$75,000-$80,000 annually