Assistant Director of Development

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Development (ADOD) supports the implementation of Bonnie Brae’s comprehensive annual fundraising strategy under the direction of the Chief Development Officer (CDO). The ADOD plays a lead role in advancing individual and corporate giving, planning and executing major fundraising events, coordinating annual appeals and campaigns, and driving community and volunteer engagement in collaboration with the CEO, Board of Trustees, and Foundation.

This position manages a portfolio of major and annual giving donors and ensures strong stewardship practices through consistent relationship management, strategic engagement and impact communication. The ADOD also oversees data integrity, reporting accuracy, and performance measurement through effective use of the Raiser’s Edge database, donor analytics, and KPI tracking—strengthening Bonnie Brae’s culture of philanthropy and accountability.

In partnership with the Development Team and volunteers, the ADOD helps manage key departmental projects and contributes to the overall success of the Development team. Performance in this role will be measured by the ability to build and sustain donor relationships, achieve fundraising targets, and execute successful events and campaigns aligned with the organization’s annual fund goals.

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

Location: In Person, Bonnie Brae Campus (Liberty Corner, NJ)

Position Type: Full time; Monday to Friday, between 9am-5pm; Occasional nights and weekends

Compensation: Starting at $75,000, Commensurate with experience

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Fundraising, Donor Engagement & Campaigns

• Partner with the CDO to create, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive annual development plan, budget and calendar, including new revenue streams, donor segmentation strategies, and quarterly fundraising goals.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors and prospects with the capacity to give $1,000+, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships to increase loyalty and giving levels.
• Conduct donor meetings, campus tours, and personalized outreach that meaningfully connect supporters to Bonnie Brae’s mission and impact.
• Lead stewardship initiatives, ensuring timely acknowledgments, recognition, and donor impact reporting.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate annual appeals and targeted campaigns (Annual Fund, Year-End Campaign, Winter & Summer Appeal, and other initiatives) to acquire, renew, and upgrade donors.
• Coordinate campaign strategy, segmentation, timelines, and creative assets with the Development & Communications Coordinator.
• Manage the moves management system in collaboration with the CDO (major giving) and the Development & Communications Coordinator (annual giving), ensuring consistent and strategic donor engagement.
• Execute multi-channel fundraising strategies (direct mail, email, and social media) aligned with branding and messaging.
• Track campaign performance metrics—response rates, average gift size, LYBUNT/SYBUNT activity, and donor acquisition—and make recommendations for improvement.
• Support corporate and foundation engagement activities, as needed, to strengthen community partnerships and sponsorships.

Events & Community Engagement

• Plan, manage, and execute all major fundraising and cultivation events, including the Tartan Ball, Tartan Golf Classic, Matinee Theatre, and other donor or community receptions.
• Develop and monitor event budgets, sponsorship strategies, and timelines; coordinate marketing materials, logistics, and vendor contracts.
• Collaborate with the CDO, CEO, Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, and event committees to identify sponsors, honorees, and donor engagement opportunities.
• Oversee all event logistics—registration, guest lists, seating, A/V, décor, and on-site operations—ensuring a seamless guest experience and high event ROI.
• Produce detailed post-event reports analyzing attendance, revenue, expenses, and donor engagement outcomes.
• Coordinate with CDO to develop and manage a structured volunteer program that supports fundraising events, community partnerships, and donor engagement activities.
• Serve as the liaison for volunteers, corporate partners, and community groups, ensuring participation aligns with organizational priorities.
• Represent Bonnie Brae at external events and community functions to increase visibility, expand partnerships, and build relationships with key stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate volunteer records and coordinate volunteer recognition efforts.

Data, Reporting & Performance Metrics

• Maintain accurate and timely donor, campaign, and event records in Raiser’s Edge, ensuring data integrity and alignment with Finance and organizational reporting standards.
• Produce regular reports on donor activity, event revenue, campaign outcomes, and fundraising KPIs for leadership and board reporting.
• Partner with the Finance Team to reconcile donations, pledges, and event revenue; identify discrepancies and ensure transparency.
• Analyze donor trends and campaign data to inform segmentation, retention, and upgrade strategies.
• Prepare quarterly performance summaries and KPI dashboards for review with the CDO.
• Collaborate with the Development & Communications Coordinator on digital fundraising initiatives, campaigns, and database management.
• Work cross-departmentally (Finance, Programs, and Administration) to ensure consistent communication, accuracy, and accountability in all fundraising activities.
• Represent Bonnie Brae as an ambassador in donor meetings, community events, and professional networks, promoting the organization’s mission and values.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive environment within the Development team, ensuring efficient workflow and shared accountability across all initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or relevant certifications preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, with demonstrated success in annual giving, donor stewardship, and event management.
• Experience managing or supporting major donor relationships and corporate sponsorships strongly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling fundraising proposals, donor appeals, and stewardship materials aligned with organizational priorities.
• Proven ability to translate Bonnie Brae’s mission, values, and impact into persuasive messaging for diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain a high standard of accuracy.
• Demonstrated success in analyzing fundraising performance, using metrics and data-driven insights to refine strategies.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with the ability to engage staff, board members, volunteers, and external partners in support of fundraising initiatives.
• Strategic thinker with a problem-solving mindset and a collaborative, team-oriented approach.
• Proficiency in Raiser’s Edge (or comparable CRM database), Microsoft Office Suite, and event and fundraising platforms such as Classy, Eventbrite, GiveSmart, or similar.
• Familiarity with social media and digital engagement strategies, email marketing tools (Constant Contact, Mailchimp), virtual event platforms (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet), and project management systems (Asana, SharePoint, or equivalent).
• Ability to work on occasional evenings or weekends and to travel locally for donor meetings, events, or organizational visibility opportunities.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Primarily sedentary work; requires sitting for extended periods, with occasional standing, walking, and bending.
• Frequent use of standard office equipment (computers, phones, printers).
• Ability to lift and carry up to 15 lbs. of materials or supplies.
• Work is performed primarily in a climate-controlled office environment, with limited exposure to residential areas or direct youth interaction.

When you work at Bonnie Brae you join a community of professionals that make a difference. We offer a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, including:

• 3 weeks paid vacation
• 8 paid holidays
• 4 paid floating holidays
• 3 paid personal days
• 10 paid sick days
• Medical, dental, vision, prescription, life, and disability insurance
• Retirement savings plan with matching contributions