Senior Director of Development
COLUMBUS, OH
Full Time
Experienced
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Director of Development serves as a key member of the Advancement leadership team, responsible for designing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies that advance the National Veterans Memorial and Museum’s mission: to honor all Veterans, elevate their stories, and amplify the power of service for everyone, everywhere. This role plays a critical part in driving NVMM’s strategic plan goals by ensuring long-term financial sustainability and growth while expanding both local and national partnerships in support of the Museum’s impact and reach.
The Senior Director oversees corporate sponsorship, organizational funding, major gifts, annual giving, grant development, and donor stewardship. The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, results-driven, and strategic relationship builder with a proven track record of securing significant contributions, a strong commitment to data integrity, and a relentless focus on timely follow-up and donor engagement.
This position reports to the Vice President of Advancement.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising Strategy & Leadership:
Corporate Engagement:
Grants & Institutional Giving:
Donor Cultivation & Stewardship:
Team Supervision & Collaboration:
Data & Reporting:
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
Preferred:
This role requires strong communication, professionalism, and dedication to a collaborative environment. All staff must uphold the Museum’s cultural values of honoring veterans, their stories, and legacies while inspiring service to positively impact all communities. Together, we foster an inclusive, respectful, and unified team environment.
SALARY FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Compensation will be based on qualifications and experience. NVMM offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package along with complimentary parking.
NVMM APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will be accepted for this position until filled. Only selected qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. No phone calls will be accepted. NVMM is a drug-free workplace, including recreational and medical marijuana. The successful candidate must pass a background and drug screens.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The NVMM is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or military veteran status.
The Senior Director of Development serves as a key member of the Advancement leadership team, responsible for designing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies that advance the National Veterans Memorial and Museum’s mission: to honor all Veterans, elevate their stories, and amplify the power of service for everyone, everywhere. This role plays a critical part in driving NVMM’s strategic plan goals by ensuring long-term financial sustainability and growth while expanding both local and national partnerships in support of the Museum’s impact and reach.
The Senior Director oversees corporate sponsorship, organizational funding, major gifts, annual giving, grant development, and donor stewardship. The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, results-driven, and strategic relationship builder with a proven track record of securing significant contributions, a strong commitment to data integrity, and a relentless focus on timely follow-up and donor engagement.
This position reports to the Vice President of Advancement.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising Strategy & Leadership:
- Develop and implement corporate engagement strategies that align with NVMM’s strategic priorities, offering mutually beneficial partnerships that drive mission impact.
- Manage an ongoing portfolio of approximately 100 major donors and prospects with giving potential of $25,000 and above, with a focus on timely follow-up and sustained engagement.
- Work with the Annual Giving Manager to identify new individual prospects for major gifts and work with the entire team to develop sustainable donor pipelines.
Corporate Engagement:
- Develop and implement corporate engagement strategies that align with NVMM’s strategic priorities, offering mutually beneficial partnerships that drive mission impact.
- Coordinate with marketing and freelance designers to design sponsorship packages and benefit structures aligned with partner goals, as well as other fundraising proposals.
Grants & Institutional Giving:
- Build relationships with foundations and government agencies to secure invitations to apply for programmatic and general operating support grant opportunities.
- Collaborate with all departments to support successful submission of grant applications, including drafting narratives and reviewing financials or relevant metrics.
- Ensure timely submission of grant applications and reports, with attention to detail and alignment with donor priorities.
Donor Cultivation & Stewardship:
- Prepare customized proposals, reports, presentations, and other engagement materials tailored to donor interests.
- Implement a comprehensive stewardship strategy that enhances donor retention and maximizes long-term giving potential.
Team Supervision & Collaboration:
- Supervise development team members (e.g., Annual Giving Manager, Development Associate).
- Partner with colleagues across Marketing, Operations, Finance, and Programming departments to align fundraising opportunities with initiatives.
- Represent NVMM at donor meetings, events, and public engagements with professionalism and passion for the mission.
Data & Reporting:
- Ensure accurate, timely, and strategic use of CRM and donor database tools to track donor interactions, pipelines, and fundraising progress.
- Champion data integrity and accountability across the Advancement team.
- Provide regular reports to the Vice President of Advancement and senior leadership, using data to inform decision-making and strategy.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- 8–10 years of progressive fundraising experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Proven track record of securing individual, corporate, and foundation gifts of $25,000 or more.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills and a demonstrated ability to close gifts through strategic cultivation and prompt follow-up. Strong leadership, team management, and organizational skills with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
- Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills.
- Proficiency with donor management systems/CRM (e.g., Salesforce), with a commitment to accurate data management and reporting.
Preferred:
- Experience with museums, national nonprofits, or Veteran-related organizations.
- Knowledge of military and Veteran communities.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, public administration, business administration or a related field.
This role requires strong communication, professionalism, and dedication to a collaborative environment. All staff must uphold the Museum’s cultural values of honoring veterans, their stories, and legacies while inspiring service to positively impact all communities. Together, we foster an inclusive, respectful, and unified team environment.
SALARY FOR SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Compensation will be based on qualifications and experience. NVMM offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package along with complimentary parking.
NVMM APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will be accepted for this position until filled. Only selected qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. No phone calls will be accepted. NVMM is a drug-free workplace, including recreational and medical marijuana. The successful candidate must pass a background and drug screens.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The NVMM is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or military veteran status.
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