SR. DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT- Major Gifts

Position Summary:
The Senior Director of Development is responsible for leading major gifts and capital campaign efforts at Florida’s First Coast YMCA. This role focuses on cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals, corporate partners, and foundations to secure transformational gifts that support the YMCA’s long-term growth and mission. This is done in partnership with YMCA Branch Executives. 
Essential Functions:
Major Gifts
•    Develop and implement a comprehensive major gifts strategy to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward high-level donors.
•    Lead capital campaign initiatives, including campaign planning, prospect engagement, and donor recognition strategies.
•    Build and sustain relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations to maximize philanthropic support.
•    Collaborate with the SVP/CDO, branch executives, advisory board members, and volunteer leadership to strengthen major gift efforts and campaign fundraising.
Stewardship
•    Develop tailored solicitation strategies, including personalized donor proposals, to secure significant contributions.
•    Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, ensuring ongoing engagement and relationship-building.
•    Oversee donor recognition programs, ensuring a personalized and meaningful experience for all major donors.
•    Maintain donor database and track key performance metrics for major gifts and capital campaign effectiveness.
•    Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to develop compelling campaign materials and donor outreach messaging.
Leadership
•    Provide strategic support to assigned Vice President of Operations and branch executive team.  
•    Provide support for branch advisory boards, assisting with fundraising initiatives, donor engagement strategies, and community outreach efforts.
•    Work closely with advisory boards and committees to align development goals with capital and strategic initiatives.
•    Oversee and mentor development team members, ensuring a culture of excellence in development work.  
YMCA Competencies (Team Leader):
Philanthropy: Cultivates relationships to support fundraising.
Project Management: Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team.
Communication: Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience.
Volunteerism: Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition.
Inclusion: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications: 
Education and Experience
1.    Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent relevant work experience 
2.    Five or more years of demonstrated success in fundraising, preferably in a nonprofit, membership-based, or community-focused organization
3.    Demonstrated success in annual campaigns, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grants.
4.    Prior experience working with volunteer boards, committees, and community partners.
5.    Familiarity with fundraising software and donor management systems (e.g., Daxko, Raiser’s Edge, Mobile Cause, Give Smart).

Skills and Competencies

6.    Strong relationship-building skills with donors, board members, volunteers, and corporate partners.
7.    Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including donor proposals and stewardship materials.
8.    Ability to develop and execute strategic fundraising plans to meet annual and long-term financial goals.
9.    Knowledge of nonprofit financial management, budgeting, and revenue forecasting.
10.    Maintain accountability by ensuring compliance with all regulations and laws, as well as the code of ethics for fundraising professionals.
11.    Passion for the YMCA mission