The Senior Director of Advancement is a strategic, relationship-driven leader responsible for designing, implementing, and leading a comprehensive fundraising strategy that advances the mission and long-term sustainability of Girls Inc. of Worcester. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Director serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and provides strategic oversight of all fundraising, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, donor engagement, development operations, and fundraising events.
This position leads the Development Department by supervising the Director of Development, Manager of Grants, and Communications & Events Coordinator while partnering closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to achieve ambitious revenue goals and strengthen philanthropic investment throughout Central Massachusetts. The ideal candidate is an experienced nonprofit fundraising professional with a demonstrated record of building corporate partnerships, cultivating major gifts, leading high-performing teams, and implementing strategic fundraising initiatives that generate sustainable revenue growth.
Strategic Fund Development Leadership
· Develop and execute a comprehensive annual and multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with the organization's Strategic Plan.
· Establish annual fundraising goals, departmental priorities, performance metrics, and revenue projections.
· Lead long-term fundraising planning, including annual giving, sponsorships, major gifts, grants, campaigns, corporate engagement, and future capital initiatives.
· Evaluate fundraising performance using data, dashboards, and key performance indicators.
· Prepare quarterly development reports and fundraising forecasts for the CEO and Board of Directors.
· Develop annual department budgets and monitor fundraising return on investment.
· Continuously assess and improve fundraising systems, workflows, and donor stewardship practices.
Major Gifts & Executive Fundraising
· Partner with the Director of Development and CEO to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, corporate executives, and key community philanthropists.
· Participate in donor visits, sponsorship meetings, and foundation conversations.
· Support the CEO with donor strategy, cultivation plans, and solicitation approaches.
· Review major fundraising campaigns and donor communications.
· Assist in planning future comprehensive or capital campaigns.
· Maintain a portfolio of strategic corporate and philanthropic relationships. Identify new corporate funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
Development Department Leadership
· Provide leadership, supervision, and professional development to the Development Team, including:
o Director of Development
o Grants Manager
o Communications & Events Coordinator
Responsibilities include:
§ Conduct regular supervision meetings
§ Set annual goals and performance expectations
§ Complete performance evaluations
§ Coach and mentor staff
§ Prioritize departmental workload
§ Promote collaboration across fundraising functions
§ Lead weekly development team meetings
§ Foster innovation and continuous improvement
Fundraising Events & Community Engagement
- Provide strategic oversight for all fundraising and cultivation events.
- Establish annual fundraising goals for events.
- Identify sponsorship opportunities connected to fundraising events.
- Evaluate event performance and return on investment.
- Ensure events strengthen donor engagement and organizational visibility.
- Represent Girls Inc. of Worcester at community events, networking opportunities, and fundraising functions.
Board, Volunteer, and Government Relations Leadership
· Partner with the CEO to strengthen Board engagement in fundraising.
· Support Events & Fundraising Committee planning and initiatives.
· Provide fundraising education, tools, and coaching for Board members.
· Assist Board members with donor cultivation and relationship management.
· Support volunteer engagement strategies related to fundraising and corporate partnerships.
· Provides strategic oversight for the organization’s marketing, communications, and public relations efforts.
· Support the CEO in cultivating and maintaining relationships with elected officials, municipal leaders, public agencies, and government partners.
· Identify opportunities to strengthen Girls Inc. of Worcester’s visibility and advocacy through government relations, public funding opportunities, legislative engagement, and community partnerships.
Marketing & Communications
· Develops and implements an annual communications and marketing plan aligned with fundraising goals, program priorities, and the organization’s strategic plan.
· Ensure consistent, mission-aligned messaging across all external communications, including donor materials, newsletters, social media, website content, press releases, and event promotions.
· Oversees storytelling efforts that highlight participant impact, program outcomes, donor support, alumnae voices, and community partnerships.
· Strengthens Girls Inc. of Worcester’s visibility through strategic communications, media outreach, community presence, and brand-building efforts.
· Oversees social media strategy and content planning to increase engagement, awareness, and support for the organization.
· Supports the development of fundraising and donor communications, including appeals, sponsorship materials, impact reports, campaign messaging, and stewardship updates.
· Ensures all communications reflect Girls Inc. brand standards, organizational values, and a strong, smart, and bold voice.
· Monitors communications performance, including email engagement, social media reach, website activity, campaign results, and audience growth.
Cross-Department Collaboration
· Collaborate closely with Program, People & Culture, Finance, Operations, Marketing, and Executive Leadership.
· Ensure development activities accurately reflect organizational priorities and impact.
· Support storytelling that demonstrates measurable outcomes for funders and donors.
· Promote collaboration across departments to strengthen organizational fundraising capacity.
Leadership Competencies
The successful candidate demonstrates:
· Strategic thinking
· Executive presence
· Relationship building
· Financial acumen
· Emotional intelligence
· Team leadership
· Change management
· Innovation
· Collaboration
· Exceptional written and verbal communication
· High ethical standards and confidentiality
This full-time position requires a 40-hour workweek, with flexibility to accommodate some evening and weekend programming. The weekly schedule is typically Monday - Friday 9-5:30 pm.
Required:
· Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications, Public Administration, Marketing, or related field.
· Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience.
· Minimum of three (3) years supervising professional staff.
· Demonstrated success securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and philanthropic investments.
· Experience developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans.
· Experience managing fundraising budgets and revenue forecasting.
· Knowledge of donor stewardship, annual giving, moves management, and fundraising best practices.
· Experience using donor CRM systems (Bloomerang preferred).
· Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
· Strong organizational and project management skills.
· Ability to build authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Preferred:
· Master's Degree in a related field.
· CFRE certification.
· Experience working with a nonprofit serving youth or education.
· Capital campaign experience.
· Experience with corporate philanthropy and employee giving programs.
· Knowledge of grant strategy and institutional fundraising.
Additional Requirements:
· Must have or be able to obtain CPR/First Aid certification.
· Must pass a comprehensive background check including fingerprinting (paid by applicant) $30-50, in accordance with MA Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) requirements.
· Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
· Reliable transportation: ability to travel throughout Central Massachusetts for meetings and events.
· Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
· Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
· Ability to maintain confidentiality while exercising sound judgment.
Pay Rate: $90,000-$100,000
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
To Apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter to:
Girls Inc. of Worcester is committed to a culture of equity, empowerment, and inclusion. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds—including women, BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experiences reflective of the youth we serve—to apply.
Benefits: Health, dental, vision, and life insurance; 401K; tuition reimbursement; flexible spending account (FSA); Employee Assistance Program (EAP); paid wellness week; and professional development opportunities.