Senior Director of Development and Engagement

Department: Strategic Advancement

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

Categorization: Hybrid In-Person

Status: Full-Time Exempt

Start Date: November 2025

The Organization

Since 2003, The Opportunity Network (OppNet) has been committed to providing students, regardless of background, with the resources and connections necessary to achieve their college and career goals.

Our founding Fellows program supports 1,000 New York City students each year, from the summer after tenth grade to college graduation, boasting a 98% graduation rate within six years. About 93% of Fellows are first-generation college students, and 91% secure meaningful employment or graduate school admission within six months of graduating.

Our Career Fluency® Partnerships program enhances workforce and college readiness for 100,000 students across 20 cities. Our Opportunity Ignited program helps employers with intern matching and training, improving talent pipelines and workplace environments, training over 350 staff in 22 partner firms in its first five years.

The Job

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), the Senior Director of Development and Engagement (SDDE) serves as a key leader on the Development team and plays a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission and long-term financial sustainability. The SDDE aids in the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Development team, leads OppNet’s corporate giving efforts, develops and manages a pipeline of engaged donors, and implements fundraising strategies that support our annual and long-range revenue goals.

The Senior Director of Development and Engagement leads the Corporate Engagement and Communications teams in designing creative fundraising initiatives, deepening relationships with current and prospective partners, and optimizing tools and processes for greater efficiency and insight. OppNet is an entrepreneurial environment, and this leader is a self-starter with a creative and analytical mindset who takes initiative and brings structure and vision to new and evolving efforts, especially as the corporate engagement strategy expands and matures.

Success in this role will be measured by increased and diversified revenue through layered corporate partnerships, a growing individual donor pipeline, a well-supported and aligned Development team, and a clear roadmap that supports OppNet’s long-term financial sustainability.

About You

You are an experienced fundraiser and team leader with a deep understanding of how to drive results through strategy, relationships, and collaboration. You bring a strong background in corporate engagement, individual giving, and managing teams. You thrive in dynamic environments and are energized by both building new systems and strengthening existing ones.

You are an exceptional communicator, a strategic thinker, and a trusted partner, someone who can build rapport with senior leaders, corporate partners, board members, and team members alike. You are deeply committed to supporting your team’s growth and to helping your organization achieve its mission with integrity and innovation.

What You Will Be Doing

Corporate Giving & Partnership Development (30%)

• Engage with existing donors to maintain and enhance relationships, identifying opportunities for increased revenue and engagement.
• Manage a portfolio of corporate supporters and prospects, moving them through the full donor lifecycle.
• Identify new potential funders, build strategies for engagement, and lead work to forge new relationships. Securing layered partnerships that may include:
  • Corporate and foundation giving
  • Brand partnerships and cause marketing
  • Employee engagement and volunteers
  • In-kind donations and innovative philanthropic models
  • Fee for service
• Collaborate with Program teams to gather necessary data and insights in order to co-create sponsorship and employee engagement opportunities.
• Work with Development and Communications teams to produce tailored proposals, pitch decks, reports, and stewardship tools.
• Partner with the CDO to develop and implement a three-year plan to significantly increase OppNet’s corporate revenue.
• Represent OppNet at industry events and external engagements.

Individual Giving & Major Gifts (20%)

• Partner with the CEO and CDO to enhance and grow all facets of our emerging individual giving program, which includes major and mid-level donors, as well as annual giving.
• Work closely with the CEO and CDO to engage the Board in critical network activation and fundraising efforts; oversee the team’s management of several donor engagement initiatives and other leadership bodies in support of revenue and engagement goals.
• Support segmentation, research, and strategy to build and maintain a pipeline for the individual giving program.

Communications and Marketing (20%)

• Partner with the Senior Communications and Engagement Coordinator to design and implement a comprehensive communications plan that elevates The Opportunity Network’s mission and impact.
• Support the creation and management of social media content and communication strategies to strengthen brand visibility and audience engagement.
• Collaborate on key external materials, including the annual report, press releases, and stakeholder communications.
• Assist with internal announcements and provide editing support for organizational documents as needed.
• Contribute to the development of visually engaging materials.

Strategic Leadership & Team Management (20%)

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CDO and CEO, ensuring alignment between fundraising strategy and organizational goals, and developing high-level donor strategy and major fundraising initiatives.
• Provide thoughtful supervision and mentorship to the Corporate Engagement and Communications teams, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented culture where team members feel supported and set up for success.
• Aid in the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Development team to ensure clear planning, coordination, and execution.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with program staff to ensure alignment between funding opportunities and organizational goals.
• Represent the Development department in leadership conversations and act as a delegate for the CDO when needed.
• Monitor revenue performance and contribute to forecasting and budgeting.

Organizational Learning, Development, and Program Reflection (10%)

• Participate in organization-wide learning sessions, working groups, and optional affinity groups.
• Attend weekly team meetings, All Hands meetings, All Staff meetings, team retreats, and the annual institution-wide retreat.

Who we are looking for

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in fundraising, with strong expertise in corporate partnerships and individual giving.
• Demonstrated confidence and comfort in working with high-level donors, senior leaders, and board members.
• Proven success in securing and building multifaceted corporate relationships.
• Excellent relationship management, written and verbal communication skills, with experience crafting donor materials, and the ability to communicate a compelling message to various external stakeholders and members of OppNet’s community.
• Experience managing people and cross-functional initiatives, with a collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
• Highly organized with excellent project management and follow-through skills.
• Comfort working with staff at all levels in a highly collaborative environment.
• Proficiency with Salesforce is required.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive.
• Graphic design skills are a plus, but not required.
• Ability to travel to meet with funders or team members.

Requirements to Work for OppNet

OppNet requires that all employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including new hires, unless an exemption has been approved.

Salary and Benefits

We take a thoughtful and deliberate approach to generating salary offers that take into account previous work experience, the role you’re entering into, and fairness within OppNet. Fairness is important to us, and it is critical that our compensation approach ensures fairness across the organization. Hence, we make every effort to make our first offer our best offer because we want to demonstrate that we value you and your work from day one.

The hiring salary range for this role is $108,896 - $123,000 and will be commensurate with experience.

At OppNet, eligible employees can enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical coverage (health, dental, and vision), an HRA, a Flexible Spending Account, family leave (up to 100% coverage for twelve weeks), life insurance, and retirement benefits. Full-time employees can participate in our 403(b) retirement benefit program. Additionally, we offer generous time off from work (through a combination of vacation, sick, and holidays).

Application Instructions

Please submit a cover letter along with your résumé. Your cover letter should address the following:

Why you are interested in joining The Opportunity Network and how our mission resonates with you.

How your experience in fundraising and/or communications has prepared you for this role.

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Do you meet some but not all of our qualifications? OppNet is an equal-opportunity employer. Even if you may not meet every qualification listed, we strongly encourage you to apply without hesitation. If you believe in our organization's mission and feel confident in your potential to excel at OppNet, we warmly welcome your application. Our commitment lies in considering a wide range of candidates, and valuing various workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to the non-profit sector, returning to work after a break, considering a career change, or taking the next step in your professional journey, we are excited to hear from you! We recognize that multifarious teams make the strongest teams, and we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.