Senior Director of Advancement

The Senior Director of Advancement will lead fundraising strategy and advancement initiatives for a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to transformative science education opportunities. This senior leadership role combines strategic planning with hands-on fundraising, donor cultivation, and partnership development to achieve a near-term annual fundraising goal of $1 million. You will work closely with executive leadership and the Board of Directors to build sustainable revenue streams, strengthen philanthropic relationships, and support long-term organizational growth. The role also oversees alumni engagement, individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation funding, and membership development. You will lead a small, collaborative team in a fully remote environment, fostering accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. This is an opportunity to shape a growing national and international community while advancing the impact of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

• Education: Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, philanthropy, business, communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field. An advanced degree and/or Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential is preferred but not required.

• Professional Experience: At least 10 years of progressively responsible fundraising or advancement experience, preferably within organizations with national reach.

• Fundraising Expertise: Demonstrated success developing and implementing annual and multi-year fundraising strategies that generate measurable revenue growth, including direct experience cultivating, soliciting, and securing significant five- and six-figure gifts.

• Major Donor and Partnership Development: Proven ability to build lasting relationships with individual donors, institutional funders, and corporate partners, ideally in science, technology, pharmaceuticals, higher education, STEM education, or related sectors.

• Strategic and Financial Acumen: Strong strategic planning, systems thinking, and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret fundraising data, identify revenue opportunities, establish performance measures, and translate organizational priorities into actionable plans.

• Leadership and Team Management: Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop teams, set clear expectations, provide constructive feedback, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.

• Executive and Board Engagement: Experience partnering with executive leaders and Board members to establish fundraising priorities, strengthen donor relationships, and advance organizational goals.

• Communication and Relationship Building: Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate a compelling case for support to diverse audiences and build trusted relationships.

• Technology and Systems: Experience managing and leveraging fundraising CRM platforms, such as Raiser’s Edge or comparable systems, to support prospect management, donor engagement, pipeline tracking, and accurate reporting. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and the ability to adopt new technologies effectively are also required.

• Remote Work and Organization: Self-motivated and comfortable working independently in a fully remote environment, with strong organizational skills, sound judgment, effective time management, and the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities while meeting deadlines.

• Mission Alignment and Eligibility: A genuine commitment to expanding access to science education and supporting inclusive learning communities. Authorization to work in the United States and successful completion of a background clearance are required.