Director of development and volunteer engagement
Dress for Success Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL, United States
We are seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven Development & Volunteer Engagement Director to lead fundraising, events, and volunteer strategy for a growing nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals, particularly women, to achieve economic independence and long‑term success. This is a highly visible leadership role that works directly with the CEO to expand philanthropic support, elevate community partnerships, and deepen mission impact across Palm Beach, Martin, and Broward Counties.
The Development & Volunteer Engagement Director is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive fundraising strategies while cultivating a strong, mission‑driven volunteer program. This role oversees donor engagement, grant development, special events, volunteer recruitment, and retention to advance the organization’s impact and sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan, including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, and special events.
Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, cultivating and stewarding relationships to increase revenue.
Assist the CEO with all aspects of fundraising event planning and execution, ensuring revenue goals and engagement targets are met.
Identify, write, and manage grant proposals and reports (grant writing experience is a strong plus).
Collaborate with executive leadership on donor strategy and organizational growth.
Track, analyze, and report on fundraising performance metrics.
Oversee all event logistics, including budgeting, vendor coordination, sponsorship fulfillment, and guest experience; ensure events align with organizational brand and mission.
Evaluate event outcomes and implement improvements.
Develop and implement a comprehensive volunteer engagement strategy.
Recruit, train, and retain volunteers to support programs, events, and operations.
Create meaningful volunteer opportunities aligned with organizational needs.
Maintain volunteer records and track engagement metrics.
Foster a positive, inclusive, and mission‑driven volunteer culture (Volunteer Engagement experience is a plus).
Supervise development and volunteer staff as applicable.
Work cross‑functionally with program and operations teams.
Represent the organization at community events and networking opportunities.
Partner closely with the CEO to support and advance fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation, solicitation strategies, and stewardship activities.
Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and reports to equip the CEO for effective fundraising engagement.
Engage and support Board members in meeting their individual and collective fundraising goals.
Qualifications
Master’s degree preferred (Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications, or related field).
Minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising, event planning, and volunteer management.
Proven success in executing fundraising events and donor engagement strategies.
Grant writing experience strongly preferred; strong relationship‑building, communication, and organizational skills.
Experience with donor databases/CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, CharityProud).
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
Passion for the organization’s mission.
Expertise in Planned Giving, Annual Giving, and Philanthropy strategies to drive donor cultivation and retention.
Strong background in budgeting and financial management to develop and meet fundraising goals effectively.
Experience in fundraising and organizing events to engage communities and secure financial support.
Proven ability to work with and manage volunteers to enhance organizational reach and impact.
Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills to build relationships and convey the mission effectively.
Benefits
Salary commensurate with experience.
401(k) with 4% employer match after six (6) months of employment.
10 paid holidays annually.
Organization closure for approximately 10 days during winter break (hybrid/remote work permitted during this period).
No employer‑provided health insurance.
Primarily in‑office (non‑hybrid position).
Flexibility a must; occasional evenings and weekends required for events.
Collaborative, mission‑driven team environment.
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The Development & Volunteer Engagement Director is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive fundraising strategies while cultivating a strong, mission‑driven volunteer program. This role oversees donor engagement, grant development, special events, volunteer recruitment, and retention to advance the organization’s impact and sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan, including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, and special events.
Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, cultivating and stewarding relationships to increase revenue.
Assist the CEO with all aspects of fundraising event planning and execution, ensuring revenue goals and engagement targets are met.
Identify, write, and manage grant proposals and reports (grant writing experience is a strong plus).
Collaborate with executive leadership on donor strategy and organizational growth.
Track, analyze, and report on fundraising performance metrics.
Oversee all event logistics, including budgeting, vendor coordination, sponsorship fulfillment, and guest experience; ensure events align with organizational brand and mission.
Evaluate event outcomes and implement improvements.
Develop and implement a comprehensive volunteer engagement strategy.
Recruit, train, and retain volunteers to support programs, events, and operations.
Create meaningful volunteer opportunities aligned with organizational needs.
Maintain volunteer records and track engagement metrics.
Foster a positive, inclusive, and mission‑driven volunteer culture (Volunteer Engagement experience is a plus).
Supervise development and volunteer staff as applicable.
Work cross‑functionally with program and operations teams.
Represent the organization at community events and networking opportunities.
Partner closely with the CEO to support and advance fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation, solicitation strategies, and stewardship activities.
Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and reports to equip the CEO for effective fundraising engagement.
Engage and support Board members in meeting their individual and collective fundraising goals.
Qualifications
Master’s degree preferred (Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications, or related field).
Minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising, event planning, and volunteer management.
Proven success in executing fundraising events and donor engagement strategies.
Grant writing experience strongly preferred; strong relationship‑building, communication, and organizational skills.
Experience with donor databases/CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, CharityProud).
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
Passion for the organization’s mission.
Expertise in Planned Giving, Annual Giving, and Philanthropy strategies to drive donor cultivation and retention.
Strong background in budgeting and financial management to develop and meet fundraising goals effectively.
Experience in fundraising and organizing events to engage communities and secure financial support.
Proven ability to work with and manage volunteers to enhance organizational reach and impact.
Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills to build relationships and convey the mission effectively.
Benefits
Salary commensurate with experience.
401(k) with 4% employer match after six (6) months of employment.
10 paid holidays annually.
Organization closure for approximately 10 days during winter break (hybrid/remote work permitted during this period).
No employer‑provided health insurance.
Primarily in‑office (non‑hybrid position).
Flexibility a must; occasional evenings and weekends required for events.
Collaborative, mission‑driven team environment.
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