Director, Individual Giving (Annual Giving)

ABOUT UNTIED WAY:

For over 90 years, United Way of Massachusetts Bay has brought people, partners and communities together to solve our region's toughest challenges. Our work is centered on scaling safe and stable housing, strengthening educational opportunities, building economic mobility, centering youth and young adults, and stabilizing the safety net. United Way is advancing transformational impact through investing in communities and organizations, elevating community voice, sharing expertise and knowledge, convening partnerships across sectors and advocating for changes in public policy that scale what works. We believe real, transformative change only happens when people work together. We bring together community-based organizations, businesses, government, philanthropy, and neighbors to respond to today's challenges while building long-term solutions that help everyone thrive.

We offer excellent benefits including a BCBS PPO plan, dental, 401k retirement savings with company match and a discretionary employer base contribution. Our PTO policy offers summer hours and a three-day closure for Thanksgiving. We also offer a hybrid work schedule, with a minimum of 2 fixed days in office per week. Additional in person work will be required based on the needs of the position and the organization.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director, Individual Giving will oversee all aspects of United Way of Massachusetts Bay's Annual Giving strategy, with a primary focus on growing and retaining individual donors giving up to $10,000 annually. The Director oversees a comprehensive multi-channel fundraising program that includes direct mail, workplace giving donor engagement, annual appeals, donor giving societies, volunteer fundraising committees, and stewardship initiatives designed to increase donor participation, retention and philanthropic investment.

Reporting to the Vice President, Individual Giving, the Director develops and executes strategies to strengthen the donor pipeline, deepen engagement across giving levels, and create meaningful pathways for donors to increase their investment over time. This role partners closely with colleagues across Development and External Affairs to deliver integrated fundraising campaigns and donor experiences.

The Director will lead and coach a small team that will work in partnership with colleagues across Development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Annual Giving Strategy

• Lead the strategic direction, planning, and execution of United Way's annual giving program, with a primary focus on donors contributing up to $10,000 annually.
• Develop integrated fundraising strategies that increase donor acquisition, retention, renewal, and upgrades across all annual giving channels.
• Oversee annual fundraising calendars, campaign planning, and performance measurement to ensure annual revenue goals are achieved.
• Monitor annual giving performance through key metrics and analytics, using donor insights to continuously refine strategies and improve results.

Direct Response & Digital Fundraising

• Develop and oversee annual direct mail, email appeals, and digital fundraising strategies in partnership with External Affairs.
• Collaborate on campaign messaging, creative development, audience segmentation, and donor journeys to maximize engagement and fundraising performance.
• Evaluate campaign effectiveness through data analysis, testing, and reporting, implementing continuous improvements based on results.

Donor Engagement & Pipeline Development

• Design and implement strategies that cultivate meaningful donor experiences and encourage increased levels of giving over time.
• Oversee stewardship and recognition programs that strengthen donor loyalty and lifetime value.
• Support leadership giving societies by developing engagement opportunities that encourage donor progression.
• Maintain a limited portfolio of strategic donors, volunteer leaders, and key annual giving prospects as appropriate.

Workplace Giving & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Corporate Giving to maximize donor engagement and retention through workplace giving campaigns, recognizing these campaigns as a critical source of annual individual donors.
• Collaborate with the Corporate Giving team and Development Systems & Operations to ensure effective donor segmentation, campaign execution, reporting, and data integrity.
• Work collaboratively with External Affairs to align fundraising campaigns with organizational messaging, storytelling, and marketing initiatives.
• Coordinate with colleagues across Development to ensure seamless donor experiences and thoughtful movement between annual, major, corporate, and planned giving strategies.

Volunteer Leadership

• Lead the engagement of volunteer fundraising committees, giving societies, and other volunteer leaders to increase donor participation and community engagement.
• Recruit, prepare, and support volunteers in fundraising, cultivation, and ambassador activities.
• Partner with senior leadership to develop volunteer engagement strategies that expand United Way's philanthropic network.

Team Leadership

• Supervise, coach, and develop members of the Individual Giving team.
• Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and results-oriented team culture that emphasizes innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Organizational Leadership

• Represent United Way at donor meetings, community events, volunteer activities, and organizational functions.
• Build strong partnerships across departments to advance fundraising priorities and organizational goals.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's Degree and minimum 8+ years of fundraising or transferable experience in either the private or non-profit sector.
• Experience and understanding of consultative sales and engagement approach preferred.
• Proven experience and ability to build relationships with donors, resulting in leadership annual gifts.
• 2-3 years experience managing direct reports.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; the ability to inform, inspire and connect prospects and donors to United Way's work in the community.
• Strong customer service skills and commitment to donor confidentiality.
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong internal partnerships and work within cross-functional teams, team player.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changing environment.
• Creative and strategic problem solver.
• Highly motivated self-starter; able and willing to take initiative and action. Commitment to accountability.
• Proficiency in a Microsoft Office environment required. Experience with data management systems strongly preferred.
• Volunteer/Committee Management preferred.
• Reliable access to the Internet and flexibility with hybrid work, with at least 2 days in the office at United Way's Boston office.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and to the mission of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.

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United Way of Massachusetts Bay is committed to hiring individuals who reflect the diversity of our communities.