Director of Development

Amara serves the evolving needs of children, youth, and families impacted by the child welfare system. Centering equity, we advocate for systems change and bridge gaps by providing compassionate wrap-around resources, while helping to reduce trauma and bring healing. Our work helps maintain family and community connections while preventing child welfare involvement when possible.

At Amara, we believe that a supportive, equitable and inclusive workplace, where everyone feels valued, trusted, and nurtured, is key to shaping organizational culture and investing in underrepresented communities. Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace enhance our ability to fulfill our mission. We strongly invite candidates from diverse backgrounds, including communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

The Director of Development provides leadership and execution of the organization’s fundraising strategy and donor engagement efforts. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this role leads day-to-day fundraising operations and supervises development staff while partnering closely with senior leadership, board members, and key stakeholders. The Director of Development is responsible for sustaining and implementing an established comprehensive fundraising program that includes individual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, and events, while supporting external communications and community engagement efforts.

The Director of Development, in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer, oversees Amara’s fundraising activities including cultivating and securing a mix of annual, major, event, and planned gifts along with corporate, foundation, and public funding. The Director of Development will work collaboratively with staff, Amara’s Governance Board, Amara’s Ambassador Board, and regional advisory boards to implement Amara’s strategic fundraising plan. The Director of Development serves as an essential member of the expanded leadership team.

Fundraising and Donor Engagement Duties

• Provide review, revision, and feedback related to grants and reports aligned with fundraising and donor stewardship prepared by the Corporate and Foundation Relations Officer and Grant writer contractor
• Lead, manage and support the development team to meet and exceed annual fundraising and engagement goals established by the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors.
• Execute a diversified fundraising plan aligned with organizational priorities.
• Manage a personal portfolio of major donors and prospects (50–75).
• Partner with the CEO on top donor strategy and engagement.
• Oversee annual fundraising events and donor engagement activities.
• Monitor and manage the development budget.
• Ensure ethical fundraising practices and procedures.
• Support the CEO in relationship building, solicitation, and stewardship of key Amara donors and funders.
• Through their own portfolio and through staff they supervise, work towards identifying, cultivating, and soliciting prospects, as well as stewarding those who have already made commitments to Amara.
• Continue to engage program staff in donor cultivation and stewardship to bring the experiences of Amara’s work to donors.
• Establish ethical and clear policies and procedures to support relationship-based fundraising.
• Create regular reports that reflect the status of giving activities, trends, and opportunities.
• Develop and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships with Amara’s staff, board, and volunteers.
• Maintain an active portfolio with regular donor touchpoints.
• Focus efforts on improving donor retention and increasing average gift size.
• Focus efforts on increasing new donors annually (10-20% target) and working with the Corporate and Foundations Relations Officer to expand corporate/foundation partnerships.
• In partnership with Chief Executive Officer, increase board participation in fundraising efforts.

Communications, Marketing, and Volunteer Engagement (In partnership with the Director of Communications):

• Support external communications strategies to enhance visibility and donor engagement.
• Ensure consistency in messaging across donor communications. Contribute to donor materials including appeals and reports.
• Leads responsible staff in their department to sustain and slowly scale the recruitment and retention of volunteers balancing organizational needs, programmatic needs, community support needs, and stewardship of those stakeholders interested in Amara’s mission. Makes determinations in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Innovation and Program Officer, and other pertinent staff regarding appropriate volunteer engagement strategies.
• Assists in developing the creation and implementation of Amara’s communications strategy to elevate Amara’s profile across multiple platforms, including content creation for a variety of sources like the e-newsletter, website, and social media channels.
• In collaboration with Chief Executive Officer, Chief Innovation and Program Officer and Director of Communications implement a system to capture donors, program, and client stories (written or visual) and support staff in adhering to policies related to ethical standards of storytelling.
• In collaboration with the Director of Communications, support the development and distribution of external facing collateral materials.
• In partnership with the Director of Communications and Chief Executive Officer maintain relationships with local and regional media outlets and support staff in proactively seeking new opportunities to amplify Amara’s work and mission that lead to new partnerships, resources, and/or visibility, including through press releases, speaking opportunities, and other promotional opportunities.
• In partnership with the Communications Director, ensure quality and consistency across all external communication in relation to Amara’s outcomes and impact.

Team Leadership/Operational Support

• As an expanded leadership team member, this position plays a key role in the development and ongoing promotion of Amara’s mission, vision, philosophy, and culture.
• Work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and other senior leaders to implement established strategic plans and goals that support the organization’s mission and vision.
• Direct supervision and mentorship of assigned development staff including the Major Donor Relations Officer, Corporate and Foundations Relations Officer and Annual Giving Manager.
• Create regular reports that reflect the status of giving activities, trends, and opportunities. Meet monthly with Finance Team/CFO to update fundraising projections to aid in cash flow updates for Board.
• Utilize latest agreed upon projection/forecast to prepare for annual budget with Finance team.
• Responsible for accurate CRM data and reporting. Ensure that Development team staff is trained and mentored properly to support monthly fundraising reconciliation process so their position can work closely with the finance team to ensure philanthropic donations are properly tracked and recorded according to established policies and procedures.
• Responsible for accurate CRM data and reporting. This position will work closely with the finance team to ensure philanthropic donations are properly tracked and recorded according to established policies and procedures.

Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 5-7+ years of experience supporting successful fundraising programs that include managing high performing teams.
• Proven drive and achievement in the successful solicitation of six- or seven-figure major gifts.
• Innovative thinker with a track record of translating strategic thinking into concrete action plans and results.
• 3+ years of experience directing external stakeholder relations
• 3+ years of experience overseeing organization-wide communications, including the ability to translate strategic thinking into concrete action plans and results.
• 5+ years of experience supervising and mentoring a team of no fewer than 3 individuals.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills and the ability to lead group meetings
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, discretion, maturity, flexibility, and independent judgement
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the various cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and staff
• Demonstrated leadership in promoting advancement and development of diversity
• Strong decision-making skills, including critical thinking skills. Demonstrated ability to think globally.
• Cross-cultural competence relative to age, religion, race, culture, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
• CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) credential strongly preferred.

Education: BA degree in related field or 5+ years of experience in a similar role for an organization of a similar size and scope is preferred but not required.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Direct supervision of Major Donor Relations Officer, Corporate and Foundations Relations Officer and Annual Giving Manager. Responsibilities include recruitment, retention, hiring, orientation, supervision, evaluation, and promotion.

Salary and Benefits:

This is a full time salary exempt position with a rate of pay between $103,000-$128,748.97 annually, depending on experience. Final offer will be determined by the candidate's education and experience. Amara offers a generous leave and benefits package including 10 company holidays, 4 personal days, paid sick leave, a paid holiday closure at years end and 15 days of vacation per year. Competitive health, dental and vision insurance rates, 401k with a company match, life, disability insurance and a paid sabbatical. Amara supports a hybrid work schedule with some flexibility to work from home. This position will require some in-person work in our King and Pierce County offices as well as throughout the Puget Sound region on occasion. 

Criminal Background Check:

Amara conducts background checks appropriate to the contractual requirements of the position. A previous conviction will not necessarily bar individuals from employment at Amara. For specific requirements please feel free to contact the hiring manager or human resources.

To Apply:

To express your interest in this position, please send your resume and a one-page cover letter indicating why this position is the right opportunity for you in Smart Recruiters. Applications submitted without a cover letter will NOT be considered. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Amara is an Equal Opportunity Employer.