[Hiring] National Associate Director of Development (Major Gifts Officer) @Reach Out and Read

Role Description

Reach Out and Read is seeking an experienced Associate Director of Development (Major Gifts Officer) to lead the qualification and cultivation of individual donors who give between $1,000 and $25,000. This dynamic frontline role offers the chance to work directly with high-capacity donors, developing personalized engagement strategies to inspire significant support for our mission.

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for establishing and managing a portfolio of qualified donors and building strong relationships. They understand and apply fundraising best practices to develop donor strategies and provide opportunities for donors to receive recognition and increase future giving. The Major Gifts Officer will travel frequently and work flexible hours as needed.

Reporting to the National Senior Director of Development, Individual and Major Gifts, the successful candidate will bring a proven track record in securing major gifts. As a key contributor to our growth-focused team, you will play a pivotal role in expanding our donor base. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic development professional who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment to help build a major gift program from the ground up while fostering donor relationships with long-term potential that can fuel transformational impact.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include:

• Donor Cultivation and Strategic Engagement (75%)
  • Qualify and cultivate a pool of ~300 donor prospects, developing a caseload of 100-125 major donors through strategic moves management.
  • Build meaningful relationships with donors and prospects, focusing on those capable of giving $1,000-$25,000.
  • Lead the creation of engagement plans for donors and prospects, including revenue projections, to retain, upgrade, and steward their giving.
  • Work with National and Affiliate staff to identify funding opportunities and create offers, proposals, and asks that align with donors' capacity and organizational priorities.
• Internal Collaboration and Leadership (15%)
  • Strategize opportunities for the Chief Advancement and Strategy Officer, Senior Director of Development, Individual and Major Gifts, and key staff members to participate in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
  • Promote a culture of philanthropy across the Reach Out and Read enterprise and among colleagues across the affiliate network.
• Data Management and Best Practices (10%)
  • Record donor information (interactions, tasks, notes, and opportunities) in the database promptly.
  • Assist in developing and supporting fundraising strategies, campaigns, and best practices.

Qualifications

• Commitment to increasing equity in opportunity and outcomes for children.
• At least seven years of successful experience in donor-facing fundraising, ideally within large nonprofit organizations.
• Demonstrable experience soliciting and closing gifts of 5 figures or more.
• Ability to engage, influence, and inspire donors and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• A strong track record of soliciting and securing major gifts, managing a donor portfolio, and cultivating long-term relationships.
• Highly self-motivated, proactive, and capable of independently driving activities that meet or exceed fundraising goals.
• Strong ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Experience using data and analytics to inform donor cultivation strategies.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Experience using donor management systems, with a preference for Salesforce or similar CRM platforms.

Requirements

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) exempt position, with flexible remote work options from a home office anywhere in the country.
• The role requires 25-35% national travel.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $105,000-$115,000 commensurate with experience.
• Robust benefits package including medical and dental insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with match.
• Paid vacation.
• Professional development stipend.

Company Description

Reach Out and Read gives young children a foundation for success and reaches 4.8 million children across the country – half of whom identify as BIPOC and two thirds of whom come from low-income families.

In deep partnership with a network of clinicians, Reach Out and Read leverages the near-universal reach of the pediatric well-child visit. It uses children's books and shared reading to support parents and caregivers in strengthening healthy relationships with their infants and young children from birth through 5 years old.

Reach Out and Read works directly with pediatric care providers to share the lifelong benefits of parents reading aloud with their children daily.