Career Opportunity Director of Major Gifts

I. Position Overview

The Director of Major Gifts is responsible for fulfilling tasks as directed by the Vice President of Advancement relative to fundraising and relationship building efforts that will advance the mission of Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC). The Director of Major Gifts plays a pivotal role in securing vital funding to support programs that empower military-connected students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Interested applicants should reside in the National Capital Region (Washington DC metro area, Northern Virginia/Maryland).

II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Director of Major Gifts in the National Capitol Region duties include, but are not limited to:    

General:

• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with the MCEC policies and procedures.
• Interfaces with stakeholders to identify opportunities that align philanthropic priorities with MCEC programs and resources.
• Works with Advancement Team members.
• Provides information and analytic support (based on experience and relationships in the NCR) to the Organization’s administrative decision-makers to facilitate strategic planning, policy making, resource allocations, and other processes.

Fund Development:

• Develop and implement strategies to cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners in the National Capital Region.
• Identify and engage potential supporters in expanding our donor base and increasing philanthropic contributions.
• Work closely with the VP of Advancement and the MCEC executive team to align fundraising goals with organizational priorities and create compelling cases for support.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, creating personalized donor engagement plans, and organizing high-profile fundraising events.
• Leverage exceptional communication skills to craft persuasive proposals, deliver impactful presentations, and build lasting relationships with donors.
• Inspire and connect with supporters to drive fundraising success.
• Consult with entities on grant research, determination of asset needs, proposal development and project management.
• Create and maintain required reporting to funding sources on the status of projects and the appropriation and use of funds.
• Recommend policies and procedures to support the development program.
• Coordinate efforts with all other members of fund development staff.
• Create development resources for the organization, as requested by the VP of Advancement.
• Provide support for policy development, media and marketing, community relations, grant development, information requests, etc., as assigned.

Evaluation:

• Oversee effective evaluation tools for reporting within and outside MCEC

Communication:

• Enhances effective data and information flow within the organization.
• Develops partnerships and collaborative arrangements with corporations, other nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and key stakeholders.
• Shares data with appropriate internal and external entities.
• Assumes other duties as assigned.

III. Reporting and Supervisory Responsibilities

This position reports to the Vice President of Advancement who will provide work guidance and assignments, set performance standards and goals, and review/approve work. 

IV. Position Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills, experience, and education:

• Three to five years of successful fund development, grant administration and management
• Proven track record of securing major gifts
• Exceptional leadership abilities
• Passion for supporting military families
• Deep understanding of the philanthropic landscape
• Ability to navigate complex donor relationships
• Strategic mindset, creativity, and ability to create innovative fundraising initiatives
• Experience in data collection, analysis, and interpretation; strategic planning; project management and assessment
• Strong communication and analytical skills
• Thorough knowledge of qualitative and quantitative practices and procedures
• Exposure to program evaluation

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or listen. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common trade journals, reports, and documents.  Ability to effectively and accurately communicate verbally and in writing to community members.

Mathematical Skills
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Other Requirements

• Must maintain reliable phone and high-speed internet connectivity for remote/virtual work.
• Must be able to travel as needed.
• Must maintain full compliance with MCEC quality assurance, ethics, and other legal requirements.

V. Conclusion
This job description conveys information essential to understanding the scope of the Director of Major Gifts position and it is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Interested candidates, please send a cover letter and resume to Shellie Campos at shellie.campos@militarychild.org

Revised: November 2024