Position Summary
The Director of Engagement provides strategic and operational leadership for development operations, program management, data systems, and event logistics for the organization. This role directly manages a cross-functional team of managers overseeing development operations, programs, events, and information technology (IT). The Director partners closely with senior leadership to strengthen community engagement from the first-time ticket buyer through to long standing donors. Additionally, this position improves organizational systems that support development and programs, the customer experience, and internal logistics, and ensures that high-quality results are focused on meeting organizational goals.
Essential Responsibilities
Leadership & Supervision
- Directly supervise the Development Operations, Program, Event, and IT Managers, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture.
- Ensure alignment and coordination across program, event, and technology functions to support organizational priorities.
Development Operations & Data Management
- Oversee development program operations, donor data operations, CRM management, reporting, and event workflow systems to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and strategic alignment.
- Implement and maintain a comprehensive MOVES Management system within the CRM for donors and prospects.
- Produce high-quality prospect profiles, briefings, analytics, and reports to inform fundraising strategy and revenue growth.
- Partner with Development Gift Officers on tracking and follow-up within the CRM system
Campaigns & Stewardship
- Collaborate with the Development Manager to manage operational components of annual and special campaigns, including direct mail, targeted appeals, and stewardship activities.
- Oversee donor acknowledgment processes and related administrative systems, ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and consistency.
Programs & Events Integration
- Ensure programs and events are strategically aligned to support donor engagement, community participation, and organizational visibility.
- Maintain consistent follow-up and communication systems that connect program and event participation with development strategy.
- Establish evaluation and assessment processes to measure and report on the success of our programs and events in terms of meeting stated goals and objectives.
- Use measurement data to inform future events and programming goals strategically.
Cross-Department Collaboration
- Collaborate with Finance to ensure alignment between revenue reporting and financial reconciliation.
- Oversee coordination between IT and Events teams to support data integrity, system functionality, and successful execution of goals for events and programs.
Other
- Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support organizational strategy and team success.
Qualifications
- Passion for our mission: A genuine interest in our organization’s values and community impact.
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or related field required.
- 5–7 years of experience in nonprofit development operations, fundraising, or prospect research.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience supervising teams responsible for events, programs, and data operations.
- Strong proficiency in data operations, donor databases/CRMs, reporting, and data analysis.
- 3–5 years of experience managing events with 200–800 attendees (required).
- Demonstrated organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
- Proven ability to lead and manage cross-functional teams with varied responsibilities.
- Research skills and knowledge of the fundamentals of fundraising, including prospect research, donor qualification, moves management, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Experience using evaluation methodologies to measure the success of events and programs in terms of meeting goals and objectives.
- Tech-savvy: Proficiency in CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Blackbaud) and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Stays current with technology and fundraising operations best practices and policies.
Communication Skills
Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills using the English language. Demonstrates the ability to: read, analyze, and interpret documents; respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints; communicate effectively at multiple levels within the organization; manage communications professionally and with respect; know when to escalate issues to upper management; communicate to various contractors and suppliers in a simple and timely manner.
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Usual office environment with frequent sitting, walking, and standing, and occasional climbing, stooping, kneeling, and balancing. Frequent use of eye, hand, and finger coordination enables the use of office machinery. Oral and auditory capacity enabling interpersonal communication as well as communication through automated devices such as the telephone.
Location of position: 580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota, FL 34232
Please note: This is a full-time, on-site position; non-local candidates would be expected to relocate.
Salary and benefits: Base salary range of $85,000 - $95,000. Final salary commensurate with experience. JFSM offers competitive health, wellness, and retirement benefits (4% for each employee regardless of whether they contribute to the 401k, plus an employer match up to 3%. Potential total employer contribution = 7%). A relocation bonus may be provided, as appropriate.
To apply, please submit:
Submit Applications to: [email protected]
Additional project or writing samples may be requested during the selection process.
Application Deadline: We are seeking to fill this position immediately. Candidates are asked to submit their material as soon as possible.