[Hiring] Senior Director, Growth, Strategy, and Donor Relations @PolicyLink

Role Description

As the Senior Director, Growth, Strategy, and Donor Relations, you will serve as the chief architect of the donor experience during a transformative era for the organization. Joining a high-impact team with a $50 million annual budget and a staff of 70+ professionals, you will help lead the engagement strategy for our historic $1 billion, 10-year capital campaign.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you will manage a dynamic portfolio of events and initiatives designed to deepen relationships with institutional, corporate, and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) partners. Your work will not only raise resources but will help transform the practice of philanthropy into a force for whole-system change.

Responsibilities

• Campaign and Donor Engagement Strategy
  • Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive engagement strategy to deepen relationships with UHNW, corporate, and institutional partners.
  • Drive the engagement initiatives for the $1B, 10-year capital campaign launching in early 2027.
  • Design "campaign readiness" activities, including regional salons, high-level briefings, and donor convenings to cultivate future lead investors.
  • Create personalized, high-touch stewardship experiences for the organization’s most significant funders and campaign champions.
  • Cultivate and manage a dedicated portfolio of relationships over time to support ongoing campaign and organizational growth.
• Events and Sponsorship Leadership
  • Oversee the strategic vision, planning, and fundraising for the PolicyLink Summit 2026 and subsequent biennial summits.
  • Directly lead the strategy to secure $7 million in sponsorships for the 2026 Summit.
  • Design and deliver "signature" events, such as campaign launches and exclusive leadership gatherings, that enhance organizational visibility.
  • Build and steward corporate and philanthropic sponsorship programs, ensuring alignment between investor goals and PolicyLink’s mission.
  • Manage complex event budgets, vendor relationships, and cross-departmental coordination to ensure seamless execution.
• Campaign Infrastructure and Stewardship
  • Co-lead the development of campaign infrastructure, including the design of donor recognition levels, gift societies, and stewardship plans.
  • Partner with the Communications team to produce high-impact donor-facing narratives, messaging, and collateral.
  • Collaborate with Development Operations to utilize CRM data and engagement metrics to track progress and inform strategy.
  • Provide training and capacity-building for internal and external ambassadors, including board members and the campaign cabinet.
  • Integrate digital storytelling and engagement tools to enhance the visibility of donor impact across the organization.
• Team Management and Organizational Integration
  • Manage and mentor a growing Engagement & Events team, including event producers, engagement officers, and consultants.
  • Align outreach and engagement strategies with the work of the Institutional Partnerships and UHNW teams.
  • Represent the Development department in cross-organizational planning meetings related to public affairs and external relations.
  • Foster a team culture rooted in "Love & Accountability," ensuring high performance and professional growth for all staff.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in nonprofit development, campaign management, or high-level donor engagement.
• Proven success in leading complex events and securing sponsorships at the $5 million+ scale.
• Direct experience with capital campaign readiness or high-net-worth donor engagement initiatives.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues into inspiring donor narratives.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments and engage senior leadership, board members, and high-profile partners.
• Strong operational skills, including disciplined project management, budgeting, and vendor oversight.
• Deep commitment to PolicyLink’s mission and values of equity, justice, and systemic change.

Compensation

The target salary for this role is $190K, and commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) with employer and employer-matching contributions that vest immediately. New employees are eligible to participate within one month of their date of hire.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Group term life insurance plus guaranteed-issue voluntary life insurance.
• Unlimited vacation and sick leave and other generous leave benefits.
• Three required organization reset weeks plus 13 paid holidays.

Accessibility Language

On-Ramps is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team.