Senior Director, Development

Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) is the country’s leading voice for child care, championing equitable access to affordable, high-quality care.

CCAoA works with partners at the local, state and federal levels, including the United States Military and the Department of Defense, to make child care programs, policies and funding work better for children, families, child care providers and communities.

CCAoA works in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to build the supply of healthy, nurturing and stable child care that helps families get to work, supports children’s development and learning and keeps our economy growing. CCAoA also delivers innovative, results-based services for families and child care providers; produces research; engages with the media, public and policymakers; and advances policies and mobilizes action that promotes understanding of and increased investment in a high-quality child care system. To learn more, visit our website. Follow CCAoA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.      

Summary of Position:

The Senior Director of Development is tasked with leading initiatives that grow revenue from a variety of sources, including membership, government grants and contracts, foundation grants and contracts, individual giving, events, and corporate giving and sponsorship. This role requires a strategic thinker and a dynamic leader capable of fostering strong relationships, executing innovative fundraising and development strategies, and driving long-term financial stability to support the organization's mission.

This position will report directly to the Chief of Staff to the CEO and will be a member of the Executive Office. It is a unique opportunity to shape and execute strategies across multiple stakeholder and revenue channels. As an integral leader within CCAoA, the Senior Director will engage collaboratively across all organizational levels and program areas, driving revenue growth, fostering strategic partnerships, and creating and implementing fundraising plans across various departments and programs, often from initial concepts and early-stage designs.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive development and fundraising strategy that aligns with the organization's mission and goals, aligning day-to-day activities accordingly.

• Lead efforts across all major revenue streams: membership recruitment and retention, securing government and foundation grants and contracts, individual giving, events revenue, corporate giving and sponsorships.

• Establish the infrastructure to grow a multi-million-dollar major gifts program, focusing on building and expanding the major donor base.

• Engage in and lead the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of relationships with funders and partners to ensure a robust pipeline of ongoing and new support, including staffing and leading meetings with both prospective and existing contributors.

• Work closely with senior leadership and project leads to ensure a cohesive approach to fundraising, aligning efforts with the organization's strategic initiatives and operational needs.

• Partner with the marketing and communications team to develop compelling content, presentation decks, and other donor-facing materials to effectively communicate the organization's impact.

• Manage fiscal accountability, providing accurate revenue projections and budget management to ensure the organization's financial health and strategic allocation of resources.

• Actively represent the organization at events, networking opportunities, and business development groups to enhance visibility and support fundraising goals.

• Build impactful relationships with Board, staff, and supporters.

• Oversee staff members develop and reach goals outlined in the strategic plan, annual work plan, and budgeting process to support and design, launch, and scale successful donor campaigns.

• Lead and mentor a team dedicated to development and fundraising efforts, including mentoring those responsible for reporting on their grants to funders, while fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Ensure all fundraising activities are conducted ethically and in compliance with relevant laws and guidelines, particularly related to federal grants and contracts.

• Perform other duties or special projects as needed, demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness to emerging organizational needs and opportunities.

  Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required; At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience with preferred expertise in nonprofit management and fundraising.

• Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and the ability to develop, implement, and evaluate effective fundraising strategies. Possesses a creative mindset for identifying and pursuing new fundraising opportunities.

• Proven track record of raising significant annual funds across varied streams. Experience in securing and managing government grants and contracts.

• Strong organizational, management, and leadership skills, with the ability to oversee and guide team members. Possesses a growth mindset.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with a track record of building and maintaining long-term relationships with donors, partners, and both external and internal stakeholders.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, capable of articulating the organization's mission and impact compellingly.

• Knowledge of the latest trends in fundraising, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector, including legal and ethical guidelines.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with accounting software, like Intacct, and CRM systems, like HubSpot.

Child Care Aware® of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer & Drug-Free Workplace. This position requires the completion of a satisfactory background check.