[Hiring] Director of Major Gifts @Upwardly Global

Role Description

Remote (U.S.) | Full-time, Exempt | Reports to the Chief Revenue Officer

Salary: $135,000 – $145,000 depending on experience | Travel: approximately 30%

Upwardly Global (UpGlo) is a national nonprofit that helps immigrants, refugees, and asylees rebuild their professional careers in the United States. This is a build role, not a maintenance role. If your best work has been opening new relationships rather than inheriting mature ones, keep reading.

• The case for support is concrete and measurable.
• The prospect universe is genuinely underworked.
• You will not be prospecting alone; support from leadership is available.
• The acquisition mandate is explicit; bringing in new donors is the primary success measure for this role.

What Success Looks Like

• First 90 days:
  • Assess the existing pipeline and rate every prospect above $10K for capacity, inclination, and connection.
  • Build a qualification plan for 40 new prospects and complete your first 20 discovery visits.
  • Agree on a multi-year individual giving growth plan with the Chief Revenue Officer and CEO.
• First 12 months:
  • Personally close $2M from a portfolio of roughly 100–125 households, with at least 70% coming from donors new to UpGlo at the major gift level.
  • Move 20 new prospects into active cultivation and secure 10 six-figure commitments.
  • Make improvements to our current qualification engine in partnership with our Dev Ops team.
• By year three:
  • Grow individual giving from $2M to $10M, with a materially more diversified donor base and a documented seven-figure prospect pipeline.

What You Will Own

• New donor acquisition: the core of the role.
• Design and run a disciplined prospecting engine.
• Build re-engagement pathways for lapsed and dormant donors.
• Partner with the CRO to set and hold the Individual Giving team's qualification standards.
• Manage a personal portfolio of high-net-worth donors and prospects.
• Craft tailored solicitation strategies.
• Represent UpGlo externally with authenticity.
• Partner with the CRO and lead the major gifts and individual giving program end to end.
• Build, supervise, and coach a team of gift officers and donor engagement staff.
• Work with our talented Development Operations team to ensure Salesforce and pipeline reporting remain genuinely useful.
• Collaborate with the CEO, Board, and leadership team to open new philanthropic networks.

Qualifications

• A documented record of acquiring new major donors.
• Personal closes at the six-figure level, with seven-figure experience or a credible path to it.
• 10+ years in nonprofit fundraising or comparable relationship-based revenue work.
• Experience building a pipeline from thin inventory.
• Experience managing and developing frontline fundraisers.
• Fluency with CRM-driven pipeline management.
• The judgment and presence to earn trust quickly with high-net-worth individuals.
• Real interest in UpGlo's mission.

Helpful, not required

• Campaign experience, particularly in the quiet phase.
• Networks in technology, finance, immigrant-serving philanthropy, or family foundations.
• Lived or professional experience with immigration, resettlement, or workforce development.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $135,000 – $145,000 depending on experience.
• Health: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement: 401(k) with employer match.
• Time off: 160 hours PTO, 72 hours sick leave, 16 hours health and wellness time, birthday PTO, and an organization-wide paid closure from December 24 through January 1.
• Family: 12 weeks paid parental leave, gender inclusive.
• Resourced to succeed: A dedicated travel and cultivation budget, prospect research and wealth screening tools.

How to Apply

Send your resume and a short note about one major donor relationship you sourced and closed yourself.

Company Description

Upwardly Global is deeply committed to building a workplace where inclusion is not only valued but prioritized. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment.