SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ABOUT SQUASHWISE

The SquashWise Center is the hub for that work. Housed in a renovated historic Greyhound station, it brings youth programming, community play, memberships, coaching, events, partnerships, and philanthropy under one roof. The building has won recognition for its architecture and historic preservation, and it is drawing new attention and new opportunities to the organization.

SquashWise is in a period of rapid growth, adding new areas of mission focus and expanding its reach and impact. SquashWise partners with 130 youth and young adults in its Youth development Program; 1,000+ additional Baltimore City Public Schools students in its School Squash program; and a growing number of members and visitors in its Community Programs.

THE OPPORTUNITY

SquashWise is seeking a Senior Director of Development & External Affairs to lead fundraising, external relations, and community engagement during a period of growth. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the senior leadership team, the Senior Director will own a multi-channel strategy behind a current annual revenue goal of about $1.4 million, spanning individual and major gifts, institutional grants, public funding, corporate partnerships, events, and memberships.

The role reaches beyond fundraising. The Senior Director will raise SquashWise’s profile across Baltimore, lead external communications, and supervise the Community Engagement & Development Manager, connecting members, visitors, and event guests to deeper involvement in the mission. With the Executive Director and the Board, this leader will also shape future campaign and endowment efforts. The ideal candidate is a results-oriented fundraiser and relationship builder who leads with sound judgment, executive presence, and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered work.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

› Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Design and carry out a multi-year, multi-channel fundraising strategy behind a current annual revenue goal of about $1.4 million.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, major gift prospects, foundations, corporations, and public funders.
• Lead annual appeals, year-end campaigns, and donor re-engagement.
• Lead the Development Committee’s fundraising work and plan future campaign and endowment efforts with the Executive Director and Board.
• Partner with the Executive Director on relationships with elected officials and public-sector funding.
• Report on goals, pipeline, and results to the Executive Director and the Board.

› Strategic Leadership

• Advise the Executive Director on growth, partnerships, and long-term sustainability.
• Contribute to organizational planning and cross-departmental work, flagging opportunities and risks early.

› External Relations & Communications

• Lead marketing, public relations, digital engagement, and storytelling, including the website, newsletters, annual impact report, and media relations.
• Guide social media with staff and student input.
• Represent SquashWise as a senior spokesperson with donors, partners, public agencies, and media.

› Events, Earned Revenue & Community Engagement

• Lead fundraising events, rentals, and corporate team-building experiences at the Center.
• Guide the Community Engagement & Development Manager’s annual plan for memberships, Pro Shop sales, lessons, and clinics.
• Support free community events that broaden participation and move visitors and members toward volunteering and giving.

› Grants, Operations & Team Leadership

• Manage the full grant lifecycle, supervise the contracted grant writer, and meet monthly with program staff on goals, metrics, and reporting.
• Oversee donor data, acknowledgments, and development reporting, and coordinate with the Finance & HR Director on gift tracking and reconciliation.
• Mentor the Community Engagement & Development Manager and build a respectful, collaborative team culture.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• At least seven years of progressive leadership in nonprofit fundraising, external relations, business development, or a related field, including substantial fundraising experience.
• At least 3 years supervising direct reports.
• A record of meeting ambitious revenue goals and advising senior leaders or Boards.
• Experience with donor CRM systems; Salesforce or Network for Good preferred.
• Squash experience is not required.

LOCATION:

The Senior Director works on site at the SquashWise Center in Baltimore, with occasional evening and

weekend events and program activities. Candidates should live within commuting distance of Baltimore.

Benefits include:

• Employer-funded health coverage through an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) of $490/month which helps pay health insurance premiums and eligible expenses
• 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match of up to 3%
• Generous paid time off
• An annual professional development fund
• Free SquashWise Center membership for employees and eligible family members

Candidates must complete a criminal history background check after a conditional offer of employment and

annually thereafter.