The Role
Lead major gifts fundraising by managing a 15-25 prospect portfolio, developing cultivation/solicitation/stewardship strategies, coordinating cross-functional proposals, maintaining CRM pipeline and reporting, and partnering with finance to record and steward gifts aligned to organizational priorities.
Summary Generated by Built In
About Break Through Tech
Break Through Tech transforms how tech talent is discovered, developed, and connected to opportunity in the age of AI. Working across higher education and industry, Break Through Tech delivers programs nationwide and integrates technical training, work-based learning, mentorship, and career readiness with deep employer partnerships to create more effective and scalable routes into early tech careers. Break Through Tech is actively shaping the field of early tech talent development by identifying what works, translating those insights into replicable models, and helping define more consistent approaches to how talent is prepared, assessed, and hired across institutions and employers.
At a moment when AI is reshaping every aspect of work and society, Break Through Tech’s mission is urgent: to ensure that the people who build what comes next — and who are in the room where the most consequential technology decisions of our time get made — look like the world they will shape. Learn more about our work at www.breakthroughtech.org/.
Position Summary
We’re looking for a strategic and collaborative Director of Development to join our team. Reporting to the Senior Director, Strategy and External Relations, this full-time, exempt role is responsible for managing a portfolio of high-value prospects and securing major gifts to support Break Through Tech’s mission. This role leads the development and execution of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies, with a focus on successfully closing individual, corporate, and foundation gifts. The Director of Development collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to align fundraising activities with organizational priorities, supports annual revenue goals, and contributes to the advancement of diversity and gender equity in technology.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The essential duties of this role are grouped into four categories, with the approximate percentage of time spent on each category indicated below
Portfolio Management and Leadership (35%)
Leads the development of proposals for major gifts, coordinating with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and own a portfolio of 15-25 top-tier prospects (Tier 1 & Tier 2), maintaining deep relationships and tracking engagement.
Cultivation Strategy (20%)
Designs and implements strategic cultivation plans, including events, thought leadership opportunities, ensure timely acknowledgment and ongoing engagement of major donors and personalized outreach to advance prospects toward a meaningful engagement.
Stakeholder Engagement (25%)
Prepares regular internal reports and dashboard updates on portfolio activity, pipeline health, revenue forecasting, and major gift progress for senior leadership and cross-functional planning utilizing our CRM or fundraising databases.
Internal Reporting & Pipeline Management (15%)
Partners with leadership, program teams, and external advisors to present compelling cases for support and maintain alignment with strategic objectives.
Development Operations & Financial Coordination (5%)
Works collaboratively with Finance to ensure timely and accurate recording of gifts and alignment on funding with and without donor restrictions.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
This role is available as a remote or hybrid work arrangement, although hybrid is preferred. If hybrid, you are expected to work on-site in New York City at least 1 day per week on Wednesday, based on Break Through Tech and team needs. If remote, periodic in-person attendance is required for all-staff meetings, trainings, retreats, or similar Break Through Tech events.
Compensation
The annual salary range is $135,000 - $150,000, depending on experience.
Benefits
At Break Through Tech, we care deeply about supporting our employees and their families. We offer a competitive, thoughtfully designed benefits package that supports health, financial wellbeing, and work-life balance. Eligible employees have access to day-one medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with tax-advantaged HSA and FSA options, mental health resources, wellness offerings, commuter benefits, and convenient prescription support. We also provide employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, and a generous 401(k) benefit with a 10% employer contribution, regardless of employee participation. Additional voluntary benefits and wellbeing programs help support employees and their families both at work and beyond.
Break Through Tech transforms how tech talent is discovered, developed, and connected to opportunity in the age of AI. Working across higher education and industry, Break Through Tech delivers programs nationwide and integrates technical training, work-based learning, mentorship, and career readiness with deep employer partnerships to create more effective and scalable routes into early tech careers. Break Through Tech is actively shaping the field of early tech talent development by identifying what works, translating those insights into replicable models, and helping define more consistent approaches to how talent is prepared, assessed, and hired across institutions and employers.
At a moment when AI is reshaping every aspect of work and society, Break Through Tech’s mission is urgent: to ensure that the people who build what comes next — and who are in the room where the most consequential technology decisions of our time get made — look like the world they will shape. Learn more about our work at www.breakthroughtech.org/.
Position Summary
We’re looking for a strategic and collaborative Director of Development to join our team. Reporting to the Senior Director, Strategy and External Relations, this full-time, exempt role is responsible for managing a portfolio of high-value prospects and securing major gifts to support Break Through Tech’s mission. This role leads the development and execution of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies, with a focus on successfully closing individual, corporate, and foundation gifts. The Director of Development collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to align fundraising activities with organizational priorities, supports annual revenue goals, and contributes to the advancement of diversity and gender equity in technology.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The essential duties of this role are grouped into four categories, with the approximate percentage of time spent on each category indicated below
Portfolio Management and Leadership (35%)
Leads the development of proposals for major gifts, coordinating with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and own a portfolio of 15-25 top-tier prospects (Tier 1 & Tier 2), maintaining deep relationships and tracking engagement.
Cultivation Strategy (20%)
Designs and implements strategic cultivation plans, including events, thought leadership opportunities, ensure timely acknowledgment and ongoing engagement of major donors and personalized outreach to advance prospects toward a meaningful engagement.
Stakeholder Engagement (25%)
Prepares regular internal reports and dashboard updates on portfolio activity, pipeline health, revenue forecasting, and major gift progress for senior leadership and cross-functional planning utilizing our CRM or fundraising databases.
Internal Reporting & Pipeline Management (15%)
Partners with leadership, program teams, and external advisors to present compelling cases for support and maintain alignment with strategic objectives.
Development Operations & Financial Coordination (5%)
Works collaboratively with Finance to ensure timely and accurate recording of gifts and alignment on funding with and without donor restrictions.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Proven track record of closing major gifts in the $250K-$1M+ range.
- Skilled at managing ambiguity and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
- Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and project management skills.
- Experience in leading cross-functional teams to advance high-value opportunities.
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in nonprofit management, business, or related field preferred.
- Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in fundraising, with at least 3 years focused on major gifts or principal gifts.
- Demonstrated success in securing individual gifts of $250K or more.
- Experience managing a portfolio of high-net-worth donors and leading cross-functional fundraising initiatives.
This role is available as a remote or hybrid work arrangement, although hybrid is preferred. If hybrid, you are expected to work on-site in New York City at least 1 day per week on Wednesday, based on Break Through Tech and team needs. If remote, periodic in-person attendance is required for all-staff meetings, trainings, retreats, or similar Break Through Tech events.
Compensation
The annual salary range is $135,000 - $150,000, depending on experience.
Benefits
At Break Through Tech, we care deeply about supporting our employees and their families. We offer a competitive, thoughtfully designed benefits package that supports health, financial wellbeing, and work-life balance. Eligible employees have access to day-one medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with tax-advantaged HSA and FSA options, mental health resources, wellness offerings, commuter benefits, and convenient prescription support. We also provide employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, and a generous 401(k) benefit with a 10% employer contribution, regardless of employee participation. Additional voluntary benefits and wellbeing programs help support employees and their families both at work and beyond.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- Advanced degree in nonprofit management, business, or related field
- Minimum 7 years progressive fundraising experience
- At least 3 years focused on major or principal gifts
- Demonstrated success securing individual gifts of $250K or more
- Proven track record closing major gifts in the $250K-$1M+ range
- Experience managing a portfolio of high-net-worth donors
- Experience leading cross-functional fundraising initiatives
- Experience using CRM or fundraising databases for pipeline and reporting
- Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and project management skills
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The Company
