Senior Director of Development

Description

Under the direction of the Vice President of Advancement, the Senior Director of Development serves as the strategic and operational leader responsible for translating the organization's fundraising vision into execution. This role provides leadership for development operations, team performance, portfolio strategy, and organizational fundraising effectiveness while building the systems, accountability, and cross-functional partnerships necessary to achieve ambitious revenue goals.

The Senior Director leads development planning, forecasting, team operations, and performance management while supervising frontline fundraising leaders and maintaining a select portfolio of major donors and organizational partners. As the operational backbone of the development team, this role ensures fundraising efforts are coordinated, data-informed, scalable, and aligned with organizational priorities.

The ideal candidate is a highly accountable fundraising leader with exceptional relationship-building skills who combines strategic thinking with operational excellence, and a passion for developing people and systems that maximize philanthropic impact.

Job Details

Location: Minneapolis, MN - Hybrid in-office requirement on Tuesdays and Thursdays minimum

Hiring Salary Range: $80,000 - $95,000

Hours/Day: Monday-Friday, 40 hours a week – with hours that will include flex time in the evening and weekend hours on a regular basis

Job Type: Full-time, Exempt

Supervisor: Vice President of Advancement

Essential Job Functions:

Development Strategy & Team Leadership

• Partner with the Vice President of Advancement to develop and implement the organization's annual development strategy, revenue goals, and fundraising priorities.
• Lead annual development planning, budgeting, forecasting, and goal-setting processes across the fundraising team.
• Supervise the Director of Individual Giving and the Corporate Partnerships Senior Coordinator, providing ongoing coaching, performance management, hiring, and onboarding, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning. 
• Establish clear team expectations and goals; monitor progress using fundraising metrics, pipeline reporting, and performance data to identify opportunities, remove barriers, and support successful outcomes.  
• Lead Development team operations, including team meetings, retreats, communication rhythms, and department-wide planning, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with gift officers to develop fundraising strategies, strengthen portfolio performance, and build fundraising capacity across the team.
• Remain informed on organizational priorities, emerging initiatives, and funding opportunities to identify and cultivate new philanthropic investment strategies.
• Oversee the Individual Giving team's leadership of annual giving campaigns, appeals, giving days, gala fundraising, and Board stewardship efforts by ensuring alignment, accountability, and successful outcomes while empowering team members to lead day-to-day execution.

Major Gifts & Portfolio Management

• Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 40 high-value individual and organizational donors through strategic cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and relationship management.
• Develop individualized engagement strategies that strengthen long-term donor investment and organizational partnerships.
• Partner with the Vice President, CEO, Board members, and gift officers to maximize major gift opportunities and donor engagement.
• Lead the Development team's prospect management strategy by establishing consistent portfolio management practices, facilitating regular prospect strategy meetings, and ensuring accountability for donor movement, pipeline health, renewals, and revenue growth.
• Support donor strategy development for key organizational initiatives and campaigns.
• Support the development of compelling donor proposals, presentations, impact reports, and fundraising materials that strengthen donor engagement and investment.

Operational Excellence & Systems Leadership

• Strengthen fundraising operations through effective use of CRM systems, data governance, reporting tools, and performance dashboards.
• Identify and lead initiatives that improve fundraising systems, workflows, reporting, and operational efficiency, supporting innovation and continuous improvement across the department.
• Champion the exploration and implementation of emerging technologies, including AI and automation, to enhance fundraising effectiveness and team productivity.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner on donor communications, stewardship strategies, and fundraising initiatives.
• Partner with the Development Coordinator and the Director of Individual Giving to analyze fundraising trends, forecast performance, oversee data integrity and technology optimization, and provide leadership with timely reporting and strategic recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with the Finance Department to ensure accurate gift reconciliation, revenue reporting, forecasting, and budget management.

Cross-Functional & Organizational Leadership

• Partner closely with Marketing & Communications, Finance, Programs, and executive leadership to ensure fundraising strategy, organizational storytelling, financial management, and donor engagement efforts remain aligned with organizational priorities.
• Support the Vice President of Advancement in leadership of the Development Committee by preparing materials, providing fundraising updates, facilitating strategic discussions, and providing follow-up.
• Represent BBBSTC with professionalism and credibility in donor meetings, community events, and external partnerships.
• Provide project leadership for strategic fundraising initiatives and organizational priorities as assigned by the Vice President of Advancement and CEO.
• Lead Development's partnership in producing the organization's Annual Impact Report in collaboration with the Marketing & Communications team.

BBBS Mission Alignment

• Maintain knowledge of community needs, resources, and networks.
• Communicate professionally with internal and external constituents.
• Work collaboratively to achieve results as specified in the strategic plan.
• Promote teamwork by overseeing and participating in various teams, including work groups and interdepartmental meetings.
• Positively represent BBBS in the larger community.
• Assist in agency-wide events and initiatives including recruitment, fundraising, event management, and community outreach.
• Honor and respect the diversity of lived experiences, fostering an inclusive and equitable environment within the organization.
• Contribute to the overall success of the agency in order to achieve the BBBS mission.
• Handle data from youth, families, mentors, or other constituents with care, ensuring secure and private maintenance. 

Requirements

While we have identified specific requirements for this role, we acknowledge that not all candidates may possess every requirement listed. We encourage all applicants who believe they possess the necessary skills and experience to apply, regardless of whether they meet each requirement to the fullest extent.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Business, Communications, Marketing, Public Administration, or a related field required.
• Minimum of seven years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated success in major gifts, individual giving, or relationship-based fundraising.
• Minimum of three years of leadership experience supervising fundraising professionals or development teams.
• Demonstrated success managing major donor portfolios and securing significant philanthropic investments.
• Experience leading fundraising planning, forecasting, budgeting, and revenue management.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems and fundraising metrics to drive performance and strategic decision-making.
• Experience working collaboratively with executive leadership, volunteers, and Board members.
• Experience leading organizational or departmental process improvements, technology initiatives, or operational enhancements preferred.
• CFRE preferred.
• Experience using design or presentation tools (e.g., Canva) to independently create fundraising materials such as proposals, one-pagers, and slide decks preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to translate organizational priorities into clear fundraising strategies, goals, and measurable outcomes.
• Strong strategic thinking and organizational planning skills with the ability to balance long-term vision and day-to-day execution.
• Ability to identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated expertise in relationship-based fundraising, major gift strategy, donor stewardship, and portfolio management.
• Strong understanding of donor pipelines, moves management, and fundraising best practices.
• Ability to cultivate trusted relationships with donors, volunteers, Board members, and community partners.
• Proven ability to coach, develop, and hold staff accountable while fostering an engaged and high-performing team culture.
• Skilled at establishing priorities, managing competing demands, and driving results through others.
• Ability to navigate change, build trust, and lead teams through evolving priorities.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret fundraising data, identify trends, and make strategic recommendations.
• Experience using CRM systems, reporting tools, and fundraising technology to improve performance and operational efficiency.
• Ability to leverage technology and emerging tools, including AI, to enhance fundraising effectiveness and team productivity.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively across diverse audiences.
• Ability to build collaborative partnerships across departments while maintaining a donor-centered perspective.
• Strong facilitation, project management, and organizational skills.
• High degree of integrity, professionalism, discretion, and accountability.
• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, and continuous learning mindset.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and goals of Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities.

Physical Requirements

This position operates in a hybrid environment that includes office work and frequent presence in community and event settings. The role requires the ability to set up and break down outreach and tabling materials, including lifting, carrying, and transporting items up to approximately 40–50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The position also requires extended periods of standing, walking, and engaging with the public at community events, as well as regular use of standard office equipment and technology such as computers, mobile devices, and phones. Reliable transportation is required to travel to community locations throughout the Twin Cities.

About BBBSTC

Every young person deserves relationships, support, and opportunities that help them navigate their future with confidence and connection.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities partners with youth, families, volunteers, schools, and communities to build mentoring relationships that help young people feel connected to themselves, their communities, and their futures. Through high-quality mentoring experiences, we support young people in exploring their identity, strengthening their support systems, and expanding what feels possible for their lives.

As one of the largest and longest-serving mentoring organizations in the region, BBBSTC serves thousands of youth and families each year across the Twin Cities metro. Our work is rooted in the belief that relationships matter—and that meaningful, consistent connection can have a lasting impact on a young person’s sense of belonging, well-being, and future trajectory.

We are committed to continuously evolving our programs, systems, and leadership to better serve our community and deliver measurable impact for youth and families.

• Mission: Create and support mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
• Values: Relationships • Belonging • Youth-Centered • Continuous Learning & Improvement

Benefits

We care deeply about our employees and know holistic support is essential for our staff to carry out the BBBS mission. Our generous employment package includes medical, dental, vision and pet insurance, employer-paid long-term disability insurance, and life insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), paid time off accrual & 13 Paid Holidays, and 403(b) retirement plans with employer match.

We recognize the need for flexible scheduling and remote work. Employees are able to work with their supervisors to identify a schedule that works best for both them and the agency. 

Workplace Culture

BBBSTC is an mission-centered, inclusive workplace that strives to create a space where our 60+ employee's unique talents, learning styles and lived experiences are valued. We pride ourselves on our flexible scheduling and hybrid workspace. Creating an engaging work environment is an essential part of our culture. We uphold this commitment through staff surveys, stay interviews, professional development, and trainings. In addition, we hold monthly all staff meetings and gatherings, and provide the opportunity to join affinity groups (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and White Bodied Accountability), and agency committees (Values in Action, Engagement & Connection, and Building & Safety).

Our Hiring Process

Our People & Culture team is committed to a person-first centered approach to our hiring process. We believe in a respectful experience for all parties involved. Candidates can apply online at bigstwincities.org/careers. Include a cover letter and resume. For all positions, our hiring process includes a Zoom screen and in-person panel interviews, reference and background checks for final candidates. All staff are required to be fingerprinted through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) within the first week of employment. 

Persons of color, women, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources team at [email protected]. At this time, we are unable to provide company sponsored visas and are only considering candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. 

The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of the position. Rather, they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position. Employees may be required to perform other functions not specifically addressed in this job description.

P.S. Please take the necessary steps to allow the BBBSTC (@bigstwincities.org) and Paylocity (@paylocity.com) domains so that you receive all emails related to your application process. Also, please make sure to check your spam folder as emails from BBBSTC and/or Paylocity can be marked as spam.