Dir of Philanthropy

Director of Strategic Gifts

Lead Growth. Build Relationships. Drive Community Impact.

A growing, mission-driven nonprofit organization is seeking a high-performing fundraising leader to help shape the next chapter of philanthropic growth and community impact.

This is not a passive relationship-management role.

We are looking for a Director of Strategic Gifts who combines strategic fundraising ability with operational leadership, executive-level communication, and relentless follow-through. Someone who can confidently lead teams, strengthen donor relationships, drive pipeline accountability, and execute without constant oversight.

This role is ideal for a fundraiser who wants visibility, influence, ownership, and the opportunity to help scale a respected nonprofit organization preparing for significant growth and future campaign initiatives.

About the Opportunity

This organization has served the community for more than four decades and is entering an exciting phase of expansion, investment, and organizational momentum. Leadership has made significant investments into philanthropy, marketing, culture, and long-term growth strategy.

The philanthropy team is growing, and this role will play a key leadership position in building donor relationships, expanding revenue streams, improving fundraising operations, and preparing for future campaign growth.

This is an opportunity to help build something meaningful, while working alongside collaborative, growth-oriented leadership.

What You’ll Lead & OwnStrategic Fundraising Leadership

• Lead strategy across major gifts, individual giving, and corporate partnerships
• Build and manage a strong donor pipeline with measurable accountability and forecasting
• Partner with executive leadership on long-term fundraising strategy and campaign readiness
• Create systems, structure, and operational consistency across philanthropy efforts
• Help scale fundraising infrastructure during a critical growth phase

Major Gifts & Donor Engagement

• Manage and grow relationships with high-capacity donors and community partners
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward transformational gifts
• Re-engage lapsed donor relationships and identify new opportunities for growth
• Collaborate with leadership and stakeholders to strengthen donor engagement strategy
• Ensure consistent communication, follow-through, and stewardship execution

Corporate Partnerships

• Lead and expand corporate giving and sponsorship initiatives
• Develop customized partnership opportunities aligned with mission impact
• Build strategic relationships with business and community leaders
• Help position the organization for long-term philanthropic sustainability

Team Leadership & Accountability

• Mentor and lead a developing fundraising team
• Establish clear expectations, accountability systems, communication rhythms, and performance standards
• Coach team members on relationship management, pipeline movement, and donor strategy
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented, growth-focused culture

What Success Looks Like in the First 6–12 Months

• Increased fundraising revenue and donor engagement
• Stronger donor pipeline visibility and accountability
• Improved communication and operational consistency across the team
• Re-engagement of dormant donor relationships
• Growth in strategic corporate partnerships
• Leadership presence that creates confidence, momentum, and alignment

The Type of Leader Who Thrives Here

You are:

• Highly accountable and execution-oriented
• Assertive, proactive, and resourceful
• A strong communicator who follows through consistently
• Comfortable leading both strategy and operations
• Process-minded without losing the human side of philanthropy
• Energized by building systems, momentum, and relationships
• Able to navigate fast-moving environments with agility and ownership
• Confident working with executives, board members, donors, and community leaders

You likely enjoy:

• Creating structure in growing environments
• Solving problems independently
• Building relationships that lead to measurable impact
• Leading teams through growth and change
• Balancing strategy with hands-on execution

Candidates Who May Not Be the Right Fit

This role will likely not be a fit for someone who:

• Struggles with follow-through or organization
• Requires constant direction or oversight
• Avoids accountability conversations
• Is highly relational but weak operationally
• Communicates inconsistently
• Has difficulty managing priorities in a scaling environment

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive fundraising or philanthropy leadership experience
• Proven success securing and managing major gifts
• Experience leading or mentoring fundraising staff
• Strong operational leadership and project management capability
• Experience working with executives, community leaders, and high-capacity donors
• CRM proficiency and strong pipeline discipline (Salesforce experience preferred)
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills
• Capital campaign exposure or campaign-readiness experience strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred
• CFRE is a plus

Culture & Leadership Environment

This organization is collaborative, innovative, growth-focused, and mission-driven. Leadership values initiative, ownership, transparency, communication, and solutions-oriented thinking.

The environment is fast-moving and evolving, making this an excellent fit for someone who enjoys building, improving, and contributing at a high level.

Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Mesa, AZ 85210