Donor Relations Director

Overview

SCOPE OF THE POSITION:

The Donor Relations Director (DRD) is an integral leadership position within the Northern New England (NNE) Division’s Community Relations and Development (CRD) team and reports directly to the Divisional Director of Advancement. The DRD plays a critical role in advancing the Division’s major gift and philanthropic revenue efforts across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont by generating significant gift revenue in support of the Division’s strategic funding priorities.

This leadership role is based within the Northern New England Divisional CRD office, a fast-paced, highly collaborative, and congenial environment that values teamwork, initiative, and shared accountability. The DRD provides strategic direction and hands-on execution across the Division’s major gift efforts while managing a high-end portfolio of major donors and prospects. Serving as the primary relationship manager between The Salvation Army and its major donors, the DRD identifies, cultivates, solicits, acknowledges, stewards, and upgrades donor relationships with a focus on long-term engagement and sustained philanthropic impact. The position requires frequent travel and regular participation in leadership and staff meetings at Divisional Headquarters in Portland, Maine.

The role emphasizes long-term donor partnerships, including blended, complex, and planned giving strategies, in close coordination with the Director of Planned Giving and ongoing collaboration with The Salvation Army’s Territorial Community Relations and Development (TCRD) Team to ensure alignment with territorial fundraising strategies, donor engagement standards, and best practices. This collaboration ensures consistency, accountability, and strategic alignment across divisional and territorial fundraising efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; minimum of five years of successful nonprofit fundraising experience, preferably in major gifts.
• Demonstrated success in generating major gift revenue and managing high-level donor portfolios.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate mission impact, funding priorities, and complex gift concepts.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to collaborate, influence, and guide internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to build and sustain positive relationships with diverse donors and partners.
• High degree of initiative, professionalism, and comfort with complex problem solving.
• Strong aptitude for direct donor engagement, including financial conversations and solicitation.
• Ability to work independently and strategically in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout the Northern New England Division.
• Demonstrated ability to set, track, and achieve fundraising goals and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; experience with CRM systems, preferably Salesforce.
• Collaborative, mission-driven team player committed to The Salvation Army’s values and purpose.
• Commitment to and support of The Salvation Army’s mission.
• CFRE or other relevant professional certification is a plus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Generous paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Sick leave
• Personal days
• Bereavement Leave
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Retirement plan

*Benefits may vary based on position classification and eligibility.

SA Inform posting:

Please submit your resume and letter of interest to http://internal-usesalvationarmy.icims.com

External candidates interested in this position, please apply online at http://careers.salvationarmy.org/

Compensation: 85000 to 95000 (USD)