Senior Director, Annual Giving and Operations

Overview of Meals on Wheels America

Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting approximately 5,000 community-based providers across the country dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. Through public awareness, funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers local providers to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. At a time when demand for Meals on Wheels services is growing, and many seniors are left waiting, Meals on Wheels America is dedicated to helping End the Wait® and ensuring every senior who needs Meals on Wheels gets it. For more information, or to locate a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

Position Summary

The Senior Director, Annual Giving & Operations reports to the Chief Development & Marketing Officer (CDMO) and is an Arlington, VA-based hybrid role responsible for leading Meals on Wheels America’s annual giving, mid-level giving and development operations functions.

This role will oversee strategies that drive donor acquisition, retention, engagement and revenue growth across annual and mid-level donor audiences while also strengthening the systems, processes and operational infrastructure that support the broader Development team.

The Senior Director will play a key leadership role in advancing a modern, data-informed fundraising operation that enhances donor experience, improves organizational effectiveness and supports long-term philanthropic growth. This position will work closely with colleagues across development, marketing, finance and external partners to strengthen operational excellence and fundraising performance.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and strategic fundraising leader with deep experience in annual giving, donor engagement, fundraising operations and team leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities

Annual & Mid-Level Giving Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of integrated annual and mid-level giving strategies to drive donor acquisition, retention, reactivation and revenue growth.
• Oversee direct response fundraising efforts across digital, mail and multi-channel campaigns.
• Develop donor engagement and stewardship strategies that deepen donor loyalty and lifetime value.
• Build and grow a strong mid-level giving program focused on increasing donor engagement and pipeline development for major giving.
• Partner with marketing and communications teams to ensure consistent donor messaging and campaign integration.

Development Operations & Strategy

• Oversee development operations, including gift processing, donor database management, reporting, analytics and fundraising systems.
• Strengthen operational processes and infrastructure to improve fundraising effectiveness, efficiency and donor experience.
• Lead the development of fundraising dashboards, performance metrics and reporting tools to support strategic decision-making.
• Partner with finance and operations teams to ensure accurate revenue tracking, reconciliation and reporting.
• Help evaluate and implement operational improvements, technologies and best practices that support organizational growth.

Team Leadership & Operations

• Lead, mentor and develop team members responsible for annual giving, donor services and development operations.
• Foster strong collaboration across development, marketing, finance and external partners.
• Support organization-wide fundraising initiatives, campaigns and donor engagement opportunities.
• Contribute to strategic planning and departmental leadership as part of the Development management team.

Qualifications or Skills Required

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive fundraising and/or development operations experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading successful annual giving and donor engagement programs.
• Strong understanding of fundraising operations, donor databases, reporting and analytics.
• Experience managing multi-channel fundraising campaigns and donor stewardship strategies.
• Proven ability to analyze fundraising performance data and translate insights into strategy.
• Strong project management, organizational and operational leadership skills.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation communication skills.
• Experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Familiarity with CRM (preferably Every Action) and fundraising technology platforms.
• Passion for the mission of Meals on Wheels America and the Meals on Wheels network.
• Models the Association’s cultural attributes of Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Empowerment and Service (C.A.R.E.S.)

Candidates meeting 75% or more of the above qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Medical, dental, vision

403b

PTO, paid holidays, other paid leave

STD, LTD, identity protection, pet insurance, and more