Senior Director, Leadership and Major Gifts

POSITION TITLE:  Senior Director, Leadership and Major Gifts

LOCATION: New York, NY 

REPORTS TO: VP of Individual Giving

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Per Scholas is seeking a Director of Leadership and Major Gifts to advance transformational philanthropic partnerships at the $100,000+ level, with responsibility for cultivating, soliciting, and closing select seven-figure commitments. This individual will play a critical role in deepening and expanding relationships with high-capacity donors who are motivated by systems change, economic mobility, and long-term impact, while also managing and coaching a small team of Major Gifts Officers to maximize team performance.

This newly created role is designed for a seasoned, frontline fundraiser who brings a strategic, relationship-centered approach to identifying, cultivating, and securing leadership gifts. The Director will manage a portfolio of approximately 50 current donors and prospects and engage them through thoughtful touchpoints including 1:1 meetings, campus visits, events, and tailored stewardship.

Working closely with senior leadership and the VP of Individual Giving, this role will leverage Per Scholas’ upcoming rebrand and 2030 strategic plan, while strengthening best practices in moves management and donor strategy across a national footprint. Travel will be required, with particular focus on high-opportunity East Coast markets.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Portfolio Management

• Serve as a strategic partner in cultivating and securing leadership gifts of $100,000 and above, including seven-figure commitments, while stewarding and upgrading seven-figure donors to maintain a strong pipeline of future major and leadership gift prospects.
• Manage and steward a portfolio of approximately 50 current major and leadership level donors, while identifying, qualifying, and cultivating 20+ new high-capacity prospects in close collaboration with the VP of Individual Giving.
• Design and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with donor interests and Per Scholas’ long-term growth priorities
• Advance a disciplined moves management approach that drives accountability, performance, and sustained growth in leadership giving; regularly report on progress and outcomes
• Represent Per Scholas at key programmatic and fundraising opportunities, including campus visits, graduations, and donor convenings (occasional evenings and travel required)

People Leadership 

• Coach, mentor, and develop a small team of Major Gifts Officers, providing ongoing feedback, skills development, and performance support to maximize individual and team fundraising results.
• Partner with the VP of Individual Giving to establish team goals, performance expectations, and professional development pathways that foster a high‑performing, accountable, and collaborative culture.
• Elevate portfolio strategy and fundraising execution across the team by modeling best practices in donor engagement, moves management, solicitation planning, and reporting.

• Support recruitment, onboarding, and scaling of Major Gifts talent as the program expands into new growth markets.
  

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO US:

Professional Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive experience in major or leadership gifts fundraising, with a demonstrated record of securing five- and seven-figure commitments
• Proven success cultivating and sustaining long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic partners
• Strong executive presence with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to translate complex strategies, outcomes, and systems-level impact into compelling, donor-centered cases for support
• Knowledge of the philanthropic landscape and trends, particularly within education, workforce development, or economic mobility
• Strategic, self-directed fundraiser with experience operating effectively in a national organization
• Track record of partnering with senior leaders, program teams, and board members on donor strategy and solicitation
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop a team, fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture.
• Proficiency with Salesforce and prospect research tools 
• Willingness to travel up to 30% and work occasional evenings or weekends as needed

Personal Characteristics

• Motivated by mission-driven work and long-term systems change
• Energized by building and scaling a leadership giving program in a growth-oriented organization
• Results-oriented, data-informed, and highly organized
• Thoughtful relationship-builder with sound judgment and discretion
• Deep alignment with Per Scholas’ mission and belief in equitable access to high-growth careers

For this role specifically, the salary range is between $150,000 and $157,000.