Overview
Founded in 2014 by former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, the mission of the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute is to raise the confidence and aspirations of high school girls by helping them develop the skills needed to lead in their lives, families, careers, and communities. Through a three-year, evidence-based program, the Institute partners with 37 high schools and more than 220 volunteers to serve over 600 Olympia’s Leaders annually, with nearly 1,200 alumnae to date.
The Institute’s impact is made possible entirely through philanthropy. Because the program is offered at no cost to participants and partner schools, the organization relies on individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations to sustain and grow its work. The Development team leads this effort by creating and executing annual fundraising strategies that support current operations and strengthen the Institute’s future.
Primary Function
As a key member of the Institute’s leadership team, the Director of Development leads annual fundraising strategy and execution to meet revenue goals and sustain the organization’s mission. This role focuses on growing individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation support, and the Institute’s Legacy Giving Society while expanding and strengthening the donor and partner pipeline. The Director of Development works closely with the Board, Development Committee, volunteers, and staff to advance fundraising priorities, support donor engagement, and build a strong culture of philanthropy. In partnership with organizational leadership, this role also contributes to long-term planning, including strategic planning and assessment of future capital campaigns.
What you will do
Revenue Strategy & Major Gifts
·Reporting to the Executive Director, research, craft, manage, and execute annual development plans that renew loyal donors and partners while identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting new donors and partners.
·Review fundraising forecasts quarterly and adjust as necessary to meet revenue goals.
·Lead direct solicitations across all levels of donors and partners.
·Expand the Institute’s Legacy program and increase awareness of this giving option among individual donors, as appropriate.
·Raise the Institute’s annual operating budget, providing guidance, training, and support to junior team members and members of the Board.
Board, Volunteer & Partner Engagement
·In collaboration with the Director of Stakeholder Engagement, execute impactful and measurable events, including stewardship gatherings that engage individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, members of the Leaders Network, and the Board of Directors.
·In partnership with the Board’s Development Chair, lead the Development Committee and provide quarterly updates to the Board of Directors.
·Recruit, engage, inspire, and support volunteers who serve on the Fundraising Committee.
·Collaborate with the Program Director to establish a communications loop that ensures Development, the Development Committee, and the Board are aware of recent mission moments, statistics, and outcomes.
·Partner with the Communications team to develop materials for Development Committee members to use when soliciting donors and partners on behalf of the Institute.
Planning, Reporting & Operations
·Partner with the Director of Finance and Operations to track weekly and monthly fundraising progress toward goals and ensure the preparation and distribution of informative reports on progress, prospect strategies, and prospect contacts.
·Participate in the FY27 strategic planning process.
·If appropriate, participate in the future evaluation and selection of a capital campaign consultant.
·Contribute to future capital campaign plans.
Leadership & Team Management
·Manage and mentor the Development Specialist, including implementation of the annual review process and drafting of SMARTIE goals with quarterly check-ins to discuss progress and areas for growth.
·Participate actively in the leadership team to support the achievement of organizational goals.
·Represent Development at quarterly Board meetings.
·Lead and manage annual reviews of the five-year strategic plan.
·Play a pivotal role in the development of capital campaign strategies, messaging, and tactics.
What We Are Looking For
Qualifications & Skills
·Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, flexibility and adaptability, and a passion for the mission of the Institute to build confidence and raise the aspirations of high school girls.
·Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
·Willingness to be out in the community with donors and partners.
·A history of establishing and strengthening relationships and growing corporate partnerships.
·Proven grant-writing skills.
·Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook/Word/Excel/Power Point) as well as donor information & management systems – Raiser’s Edge preferred.
·Independent self-starter who considers solutions and shares recommendations when faced with a challenge.
·Possesses an openness to working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
·Willingness to travel in-state by car.
·This role requires sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
Education & Experience Requirements
·Bachelor’s degree
·Minimum seven years of progressive non-profit fundraising experience with demonstrated ability to raise more than $1.5M annually
·A strong track record of achieving goals and securing major gifts
·Management experience
·Experience with planned giving and capital campaigns strongly preferred
What We Offer
This position is based in Portland, ME. This position offers a competitive benefits package that includes health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, disability insurance, generous PTO, and 12 office holidays. The salary range starts at $90,000 annually and is commensurate with experience.
The successful incumbent must complete a background check at the time of hire and at least every three years after.
The Institute is an equal opportunity employer and is open to all candidates who meet the criteria outlined in the job description. The Institute embraces diversity and is committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive workplace for all team members.
Interested candidates are asked to submit a letter of interest and resume to jobs@snoweleadershipinstitute.org by Friday, June 26, 2026.
