Senior Director of Development

Position Summary:

The Senior Director of Development plays a critical role in advancing PPMD’s mission by leading efforts to identify, cultivate, and secure major and mid-level gifts, building meaningful relationships with individual donors, industry partners, and foundations to support the organization’s priorities. This position is central to PPMD’s fundraising strategy, with a primary focus on donor development and stewardship, ensuring sustainable revenue growth and deepened donor engagement.

The Senior Director of Development contributes to securing foundation and corporate funding and driving key campaigns like the organization’s Year End campaign other cyclical fundraising efforts. This role requires collaboration across teams, including senior leadership, the Board of Directors, and program teams to develop compelling cases for support and execute high-impact donor strategies.

As a highly visible representative of PPMD, the Senior Director of Development is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with major and mid-level donors, prospects, and stakeholders through strategic engagement, personalized communications, and in-person meetings. They will develop and execute a comprehensive major gifts strategy, identifying new prospects, cultivating donor relationships, and ensuring alignment with PPMD’s fundraising goals. The role requires active participation in donor meetings, networking events, and organizational initiatives while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and a strong commitment to the organization’s mission.

This is a remote position with the ability to work East Coast hours. Position requires up to 25% travel, including weekends as needed to attend events.

Responsibilities:

Major/Mid-Level Donor Development

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to cultivate, solicit, and steward major ($50K+) and mid-level ($25K-$50K) donors, ensuring consistent growth in revenue from this critical donor segment.
• In collaboration with Senior Leadership, responsible for closing approximately $2M in major and mid-level gifts annually, from existing and new donors
• Build and manage a portfolio of 50+ donors and prospects, creating personalized engagement plans tailored to individual interests, motivations, and giving capacities.
• Collaborate with the VP, Development & Community Engagement, to set annual major gift campaign objectives, including diversification and expansion of the donor base.
• Engage with families interested in specific projects and unmet funding needs to support an active research pipeline for as many genetic variants as possible.
• Conduct regular outreach and maintain meaningful, year-round communication with major and mid-level donors to strengthen relationships and inspire continued giving.
• Plan and execute high-touch donor cultivation and stewardship activities, including in-person visits, events, and virtual engagements, in collaboration with the organization’s senior leadership team.
• Collaborate with the President on donor stewardship transition planning to ensure long-term sustainability for the organization.
• Partner with the Board of Directors and senior leadership to leverage their networks and influence for donor cultivation and solicitation efforts.

Donor Stewardship and Recognition

• Work closely with the Development team to align strategies, goals, and priorities for donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Create and maintain consistent communication plans for donors at all levels to improve and enhance organizational support.
• Maintain a high standard of personalized donor engagement to increase retention and inspire upgrades in giving levels.
• Oversee the donor recognition process, ensuring timely and meaningful acknowledgment of contributions to maintain donor satisfaction and loyalty.
• Develop and deliver reports, updates, and program-related communications that demonstrate the impact of donor support.
• Partner with Communications colleagues to develop high-quality materials for donor outreach, proposals, and updates.

Foundation and Corporate Giving

• Identify and build relationships with foundation and corporate partners that align with major gift priorities, including funding for key organizational programs and initiatives.
• In collaboration with Senior Leadership, responsible for closing approximately $1.5M in foundation and corporate support, from both existing and new donors
• Collaborate with senior leadership to prepare grant requests and track progress, ensuring compliance with deadlines and reporting requirements.
• Meet with Team Leads, Executive Leadership, and the Board to stay current on key programs and identify donor funding opportunities.

Other Projects and Programs

Year End Campaign:

• Lead the creation and implementation of the campaign from concept to completion, working closely with the Development, Senior Leadership and Communications teams on theme, project roadmap, deliverables and post-campaign reporting.
• Lead coordination with collaborative partners, including foundations and individual donors as necessary.
• Work with consultants and the Communications team to develop compelling narratives, impactful branding, visuals, and a comprehensive campaign strategy across all platforms.

Travel and Events:

• Represent PPMD at donor meetings, events, and other engagements to cultivate relationships and promote the organization’s mission.
• Plan and participate in donor-focused events, ensuring that key stakeholders are involved and engaged.
• Attend local and national events and meetings to enhance donor and industry relationships. Evening hours and weekend travel will be required to attend events and represent PPMD at meetings.

Required Education, Experience, Skills, and Attributes:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in donor stewardship and cultivation with a proven track record of cultivating multiple five and six figure gifts annually.
• Minimum 3 years of experience cultivating foundation funding partners.
• Working knowledge of current trends in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of major and planned gifts.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum 2 years of grant writing or donor proposal experience.
• Ability to travel; weekend travel for events required as needed
• Demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple major projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines, deliverables, and budgets are met in alignment with organizational strategic initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) with a proven ability to foster confidence and trust among donors, industry partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to absorb and synthesize complex program information and translate it into compelling cases for donors, industry partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, maintaining positive and productive relationships with colleagues, organizational leadership, the Board of Directors, donors, and industry partners.
• Sound judgment, effective problem-solving skills, initiative, and flexibility to meet challenges as they arise.
• Proficiency in computer skills, including Microsoft Office, donor management software and online fundraising tools (preferably Salesforce and GoFundMe Pro).

Preferred Education, Experience, Skills, and Attributes:

• Prior experience with donor cultivation within a rare disease advocacy organization or related field
• Knowledge of Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy or other rare disease communities.
• Event planning experience.
• Experience creating content for social media, email campaigns and websites.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to use a computer keyboard for extended times,with breaks as needed;
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds, particularly when assisting with event set up and break down;
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time, particularly when assisting with events.

Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Life Insurance, Short and Long Term Disability Insurance, Vacation, Holidays