Director of Advancement

Director of Advancement Job Description

Job Title:

Director of Advancement

Department:
Development / Fundraising

Reports To:

Executive Director

FLSA Status:

Full-time (Exempt)

Summary

The Director of Advancement leads the unified strategy for fundraising campaigns, mid-level donor engagement, communications, and brand storytelling at Elijah Rising. This role ensures that every message, campaign, and donor interaction reflects the mission and inspires generous support. The Director provides vision for all development campaigns and marketing efforts while managing a cohesive growth strategy that strengthens donor pipelines, expands community reach, and increases annual revenue.

The Director of Advancement collaborates closely with the Marketing/Communications, Programs, Finance, and the Executive Leadership Teams. This leader builds continuity across donor stewardship, digital marketing, fundraising campaigns, and brand expression, creating a strong and aligned voice that fuels growth and impact.

Required Duties and Responsibilities

(Other duties may be assigned as necessary)

• Leads and guides Bible studies, devotionals, and prayer and worship times as needed

Strategic Leadership

• Design and implement an annual fundraising strategy that integrates development, marketing, and communications
• Set annual revenue goals with quarterly milestones, donor pipeline expectations, and campaign projections
• Develop long-term strategies for donor acquisition, retention, and engagement
• Establish clear metrics, dashboards, and reporting standards to track progress across the development and communications teams
• Strengthen Elijah Rising’s brand presence through unified messaging across all channels

Donor Development and Stewardship

• Cultivate a personal portfolio of mid-level donors through intentional communication, relationship building, and meaningful touchpoints
• Design donor journeys that include spiritual encouragement, trauma-informed sensitivity, and consistent stewardship
• Develop and manage multi-step donor acquisition funnels for new supporters and lapsed donors
• Ensure high-quality acknowledgments, follow-up, and donor care practices across the team

Campaigns and Events

• Lead the vision and strategy for all fundraising campaigns, including Giving Tuesday, year-end, seasonal appeals, and mission-specific initiatives
• Ensure campaigns integrate email, social media, print, storytelling, video, donor segments, and in-person events
• Support the fundraising team’s gala strategy by handling delegated logistics
• Create compelling narratives and donor-centered messaging that communicates impact clearly and authentically
• Analyze campaign performance and adjust strategies to maximize results
• Offer guidance on donor data integrity, reconciliation practices, and CRM usage

Marketing, Communications, and Brand Stewardship

• Craft organizational communications, including brand messaging, content direction, public communications, and storytelling
• Provide leadership for marketing strategy in collaboration with dedicated communications personnel
• Ensure brand consistency across digital platforms, print materials, fundraising collateral, and public messaging
• Guide creation of videos, graphics, newsletters, social content, and email campaigns that advance donor engagement and organizational visibility
• Build alignment between Communications, Programs, and Development to ensure unified mission-driven storytelling

Grants and Institutional Funding

• Support the Grant Writer to devise a grant strategy and timeline
• Collaborate with Executive leadership and the program teams to identify organizational needs and funding opportunities
• Review grant drafts and narratives as needed

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Collaborate with Programs to translate impact stories into compelling donor-facing messaging
• Partner with Finance for revenue reporting, forecasting, and reconciliation
• Coordinate with Executive Leadership for board updates, strategy reviews, and campaign direction
• Support Communications and Programs on messaging for survivor stories, events, outreach, and community engagement

Spiritual Leadership

• Lead optional Bible studies, prayer moments, and spiritual encouragement at appropriate times
• Offer pastoral sensitivity in donor engagements, especially in trauma-informed contexts
• Protect and champion the spiritual culture and values of Elijah Rising

Qualifications

• Strong experience in nonprofit development, donor relations, or fundraising strategy
• Ability to lead and manage teams toward measurable goals
• Demonstrated success running multi-channel fundraising campaigns
• Strong understanding of digital marketing, content strategy, and brand communication
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Insightful storyteller with an understanding of trauma-informed communication practices
• Competence with CRM platforms, digital analytics, and online fundraising tools
• Strong project management abilities with an organized and detail-oriented approach
• Spiritually mature and aligned with the mission of Elijah Rising
• High emotional intelligence and relational awareness

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Three or more years of experience in an upper-level development role
• Experience supervising employees or leading teams
• Experience working in trauma-informed environments is preferred

Physical and Practical Requirements

• Reliable transportation
• Valid driver's license and insurance
• Ability to occasionally lift or carry up to fifty pounds
• Ability to stand for extended periods when required by events
• Successful background check and ongoing compliance

**Reasonable accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities