National Director of Development–Spina Bifida Association of America

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

Location: Remote

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

About the Spina Bifida Association

The Spina Bifida Association of America (SBA) is the nation’s only national patient advocacy organization that works to build a better and brighter future for all those impacted by Spina Bifida through education, advocacy, research, support, and clinical care. Spina Bifida occurs during fetal development, resulting in a gap or lesion on the spinal column. Although the gap can be closed or lesion removed, Spina Bifida is a lifelong condition that can result in mobility, neurological, bowel & bladder, mental health, and learning challenges. It’s the most commonly occurring, permanently disabling birth defect compatible with life. Learn more at https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org.

Position Overview

The Director of Development is responsible for planning, executing, and expanding a comprehensive fundraising program to support the mission and growth of the Spina Bifida Association of America. This position will lead and manage strategies for individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and planned giving, with a strong emphasis on building long-term donor relationships and driving sustainable revenue.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Execution

• • Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy focused on individual donors, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, workplace giving, and planned giving.
  • Set and achieve annual fundraising goals in alignment with organizational priorities.
  • Analyze donor data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for growth.

Individual Giving & Major Gifts

• • Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors.
  • Develop personalized engagement plans for high-net-worth individuals and long-term supporters.
  • Create donor recognition and stewardship strategies to ensure ongoing donor satisfaction and retention.

Corporate Sponsorships

• • Oversee work to identify prospective corporate sponsors that align with the organization's mission and programs, and pitch and secure sponsorships.
  • Oversee the building and maintenance of relationships with corporate partners, including coordination of benefits, visibility, and reporting.

Planned Giving

• • Lead the development and promotion of a planned giving program.
  • Work with legal and financial advisors as needed to structure legacy gifts.
  • Educate internal stakeholders and supporters on the benefits and options for planned giving.

Donor Communications & Events

• • Oversee development-related communications including donor appeals, newsletters, proposals, and impact reports.
  • Collaborate with the marketing team to ensure consistent and compelling messaging.
  • Plan and execute donor cultivation events and stewardship activities.

Leadership & Collaboration

• • Supervise development staff and/or consultants as needed.
  • Collaborate with the leadership team, Board of Directors, and program staff to advance fundraising initiatives.
  • Collaborate with the leadership team to identify foundation grant opportunities, and support the applications for selected grants.
  • Support the Board's engagement in fundraising.

Qualifications

• • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive fundraising experience, preferably in a nonprofit patient advocacy environment.
  • Proven success in securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and planned gifts.
  • Emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking, interpersonal, and communication skills.
  • Experience with donor management systems (e.g., Salesforce or similar).
  • Passion for the mission and values of SBAA, and commitment to working with people affected by Spina Bifida.