The Senior Director of Development of Philadelphia is a senior fundraising leader responsible for advancing philanthropic growth and revenue across the Philadelphia region for Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley. This role joins the chapter at a pivotal and exciting moment as the organization prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary and deepen its presence and impact in Philadelphia.
The Senior Director will play a critical role in shaping anniversary-related fundraising efforts, including the launch of a new inaugural signature event that will serve as a cornerstone of the chapter’s long-term Philadelphia fundraising strategy. Reporting to the Vice President of Development, this role is responsible for developing and executing short- and long-term fundraising strategies, strengthening donor and volunteer engagement, and driving sustainable revenue growth in support of the chapter’s mission.
This position directly manages one key fundraising position; the Development Associate of Philadelphia who is focused on student fundraising and peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Philadelphia Fundraising Strategy & Signature Event Leadership
- Lead the strategy, development, and launch of a new inaugural signature fundraising event in Philadelphia in celebration of the chapter’s 40th anniversary, establishing it as a cornerstone of the chapter’s long-term fundraising strategy.
- Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies for the Philadelphia region aligned with chapter-wide goals and priorities.
- Collaborate with the Vice President of Development to establish annual fundraising goals across revenue streams and ensure accountability for results.
- Recruit, engage, and steward high-level volunteer leaders and honoree(s) to support fundraising committees, drive corporate sponsorships, and advance individual giving.
- Launch and oversee vendor campaigns within the event and committee structure.
- Drive additional fundraising opportunities, including external events, stewardship and cultivation experiences, giving programs, point-of-sale initiatives, and employee fundraising efforts.
- Provide strategic oversight for all Philadelphia-based fundraising initiatives, including signature and third-party events, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and community fundraising.
- Oversee all aspects of event planning and execution, including budgeting, sponsorship strategy, volunteer leadership, implementation, and post-event evaluation.
- Partner closely with the Marketing & Communications team to ensure exceptional execution aligned with the chapter’s brand, mission, and donor experience standards.
Donor, Corporate & Volunteer Engagement