Development Director

Development Director (Independent Contractor)

Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM)About PHENOM

The Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM) is a professional grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to transforming public higher education in Massachusetts. Founded in 2007, PHENOM unites students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to advocate for fully funded, debt-free, and high-quality public colleges and universities across the Commonwealth.

We work to ensure that public higher education remains accessible and affordable for all Massachusetts residents through strategic advocacy, coalition building, and policy development focused on sustainable funding solutions for our public college and university system.

Position Overview

PHENOM seeks an experienced Development Director to join our team as an independent contractor. This commission-based position (25% commission on new individual contributions) offers an accomplished fundraising professional the opportunity to leverage their higher education advancement, political campaign, or nonprofit development expertise to build strategic relationships with donors who are committed to educational equity and access.

The successful candidate will lead our donor cultivation efforts and play an instrumental role in advancing PHENOM's vision of a fully funded, accessible public higher education system in Massachusetts. This position requires travel to donor meetings and events across the Commonwealth's diverse network of public colleges and universities, providing an ideal opportunity for advancement professionals with experience in higher education, progressive campaigns, or related nonprofit sectors.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Donor Development

• Design and implement sophisticated donor cultivation strategies targeting individual contributors, applying best practices from higher education advancement and campaign fundraising
• Coordinate high-impact donor meetings and presentations across the Commonwealth, leveraging institutional knowledge of the public higher education system
• Develop compelling messaging that articulates the economic and social impact of public higher education investment
• Cultivate relationships with high-capacity donors aligned with PHENOM's mission, particularly those with connections to Massachusetts public colleges and universities

Event Management

• Plan and execute strategic fundraising events at campuses throughout the Massachusetts public higher education system
• Collaborate with campus chapters to organize regionally-focused donor engagement opportunities
• Apply event management expertise from institutional advancement or campaign organizing to maximize donor participation and engagement
• Represent PHENOM professionally at institutional and community events

Communications and Materials

• Develop polished, data-driven fundraising materials highlighting PHENOM's policy priorities and impact
• Create persuasive presentations that articulate how investment in PHENOM advances educational equity
• Craft tailored communications for diverse donor audiences, including higher education stakeholders, progressive philanthropists, and community advocates
• Translate complex policy issues into compelling giving opportunities

Administration and Reporting

• Implement professional donor tracking systems with clear attribution protocols similar to those used in higher education advancement offices
• Collaborate with PHENOM's Executive Director, Board, and committees on fundraising initiatives
• Provide comprehensive monthly reports quantifying development activities and outcomes using metrics familiar to advancement and campaign professionals
• Maintain meticulous documentation of donor interactions and follow-up activities

Qualifications

Required Experience and Skills

• Demonstrated success in individual donor development with measurable results, particularly in higher education advancement, political campaigns, or advocacy organizations
• Professional experience in university advancement, campaign fundraising, or nonprofit development
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills, particularly in one-on-one donor interactions with higher education stakeholders and philanthropists
• Strategic approach to relationship cultivation and solicitation, with understanding of moves management and prospect development
• Polished presentation abilities and excellent written communication
• Proficiency with donor management systems and fundraising analytics (e.g., Raiser's Edge, DonorPerfect, EveryAction, or similar platforms)
• Excellent time management and ability to work independently while meeting organizational objectives
• Capacity to travel regularly to institutions across the Massachusetts public higher education system

Knowledge and Commitment

• Sophisticated understanding of the economic and social impacts of higher education policy
• Knowledge of higher education advancement practices and philanthropic motivations related to educational equity
• Familiarity with Massachusetts public higher education system and its stakeholders
• Ability to articulate a comprehensive vision for public higher education
• Commitment to educational equity and access
• Passion for systemic change in public higher education financing
• Appreciation for cross-constituency coalition building

Compensation

This is a professional independent contractor position offering a 25% commission structure on all new individual contributions directly attributable to your development efforts (excluding renewals and grants). A clear attribution protocol will be established to ensure transparent compensation. This arrangement provides substantial earning potential for an accomplished development professional, particularly those with existing networks in higher education or progressive philanthropy.

Location

Remote-based position with required travel to donor meetings and events across Massachusetts public higher education institutions, including UMass campuses, state universities, and community colleges.

Application Process

To apply, please submit your resume and a thoughtful cover letter detailing your relevant fundraising experience in higher education advancement, political campaigns, or nonprofit development to the Executive Director at henry@phenomonline.org.

PHENOM is committed to building a professional team that reflects the diversity of Massachusetts public higher education communities. We particularly encourage applications from advancement professionals with experience in public higher education institutions, campaign fundraisers with progressive donor networks, and nonprofit development specialists committed to educational equity.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM) is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, age, marital status, caste, medical condition or history, pregnancy, heritage, cultural background, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, training, discipline, and termination.

At PHENOM, we are deeply committed to building a healthy, fulfilling workplace community where diverse viewpoints and life experiences are not only welcome but actively invited and supported. We believe that cultivating an environment where team members can bring their authentic selves to work strengthens our advocacy and better enables us to serve the diverse communities across Massachusetts public higher education. Our most innovative and impactful work happens when multiple perspectives inform our approach.

If you share our passion for educational equity and bringing positive change to public higher education in Massachusetts, we strongly encourage you to apply. Even if you don't meet every qualification listed, we'd love to hear from you and how your unique skills and experiences could contribute to our mission.