Career Center

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the senior leadership team, the Director of Development (DOD) is responsible for creating and implementing Cambridge Center for Adult Education's (CCAE) fundraising strategy and leading a comprehensive development program that includes individual donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, and fundraising events. The DOD is a key thought partner to the Executive Director, Board chair, and Board committee chairs for fundraising and organization-wide philanthropic strategy.

The Director of Development is charged with increasing annual contributed support to help meet operational needs. The DOD will also lead a capital campaign in the near future to improve classroom spaces and facilities in the two historical buildings on Brattle Street in the heart of Harvard Square. The DOD will manage all aspects of the philanthropic portfolio, including individual giving, institutional and corporate giving, the Annual Fund, fundraising events, development operations, board recruitment, and campaign planning. The DOD will lead a small development team of two people, in collaboration with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and the program and marketing teams to generate fundraising support for the organization.

Position Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute annual fundraising plan for CCAE, securing financial support from individuals, foundations, and corporations;
• Oversee the development department, including managing the Development Manager;
• Lead stewardship of CCAE’s current longstanding individual donors while developing and implementing fundraising strategies to expand new support among CCAE’s diverse communities and broadening the support base geographically;
• Significantly grow current fundraising efforets over the next 3-5 years;
• Manage budgets and financial reports and meet annual revenue targets;
• Identify and execute events and opportunities to support fundraising goals, including Of Course, CCAE’s annual spring fundraiser;
• Oversee maintenance, updating, and cleaning of the donor database, including prospects;
• Collaborate with program and marketing teams to support the development strategy;
• Assist in identifying and recruiting new board members and cultivate current board members, promoting a culture of ongoing financial support;
• Participate in all board meetings and maintain a regular schedule of in-person and phone/zoom check-ins with board members and key donors through the year.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience plus five years of experience in nonprofit
• fundraising with increasing responsibility in leading a department and execution of overall strategy;
• Demonstrated success in setting and exceeding philanthropic goals;
• Knowledge and familiarity with the Cambridge area fundraising community and CCAE donor base;
• Demonstrated experience cultivating, training, building collaborative relationships with executives, senior staff, and volunteer leaders;
• Broad knowledge of all functional areas of fundraising, including a multi-faceted comprehensive development program;
• Proven excellence in organizational, managerial, and communication skills;
• Experience managing budgets and revenue forecasting;
• Strong computer skills, proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a collegial friendly attitude.