Development Director - National

About Miles for Migraine:

Miles for Migraine envisions a world where migraine and its disability are respected, understood, controlled and eventually eliminated. The organization’s mission is to empower migraine patients, their families and caregivers to live full and productive lives by providing programs, increasing public understanding, and advancing research, education and treatment.

Miles for Migraine is in the process of launching volunteer chapters in five cities (Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Phoenix) and coordinates fundraising events in 24 event markets. It has more than quadrupled its budget in recent years and has a strategic goal to expand to additional cities. Its current budget is $1,188,800 and the revenue mix is: 83% sponsorships, 10% donations, and 7% event registrations.

The Development Director is a fully remote position working closely with the Executive Director and one part-time direct report to meet all annual revenue targets. In particular, the Development Director will develop an overarching fundraising plan for all revenue sources and new strategies for converting event attendees and program participants into donors. The Development Director will not be responsible for organizing event logistics, however, they will oversee the implementation of year-round fundraising for 24 event markets, working in close coordination with volunteers, regional/national sponsors and race directors in each event market.

Migraine is the second most disabling disease in the world. Miles for Migraine aspires to rebrand migraine as a neurological disease and true medical condition worth of research, advocacy, and treatment. This is an opportunity to for an experienced fundraiser to help grow the organization to achieve that bold vision, something Miles for Migraine is well-positioned to do.

Background of Ideal Candidate:

An experienced and dynamic fundraising professional with a history of accomplishment in fundraising, communications, staff and board management, and external relationship advancement for an organization with national (or multi-city) reach. High-energy person with vision who is able to mobilize staff, board and other stakeholders toward a common goal, providing them with strategic and tactical support needed to keep fundraising on track. Entrepreneurial person capable and comfortable growing and diversifying an organization’s revenue mix and establishing the structure of a development department that can support Miles for Migraine’s growth goals.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop, execute, review and refine the organization’s fundraising plan, forming both short-and long-term goals to meet revenue goals, to include annual/individual giving campaign, major donor frameworks and corporate relationships.

• Ensure that the fundraising plan includes robust strategies and tactics for converting event attendees and program participants into donors.

• Work with Executive Director to secure and manage high dollar corporate sponsorships and major gifts for events in 24 cities. Work in collaboration with Executive Director on identifying and cultivating potential major gift prospects.

• Establish and nurture relationships and communication with key constituents in each event city, which includes top fundraisers, top team captains, sponsors, major to mid-level donors and volunteers.

• Assist in recruiting, training and supervising community fundraising volunteers and part-time staff in event cities. Keep participants, volunteers, and staff on track and motivated to ensure events meet revenue goals.

• Develop and execute strategies to raise the organization’s visibility among a wide cross-section of potential supporters in the 24 event cities and beyond.

• Maintain an ongoing pipeline of potential sponsors and donors.

• Ensure donors are apprised of the organization’s achievements and the impact of their gifts.

• Work with staff and volunteers to execute local market activation of national partnership programs and cross functionally with other team members on larger national strategies.

• Serve as the Executive Director’s advisor and partner on all matters related to fundraising. Prepare the Executive Director and Board members for meetings with donors and funders.

• Maintain a working knowledge of the Miles for Migraine mission and programs to promote the field and campaign fundraising initiatives.

• Participate on regional and enterprise projects and committees as appropriate.

• Track revenue and fundraising trends, using information to predict future opportunities and predict downtrends.

• Report regularly to the Executive Director regarding fundraising benchmarks and the organization’s fundraising performance.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Management Responsibility:

Supervises work of others, including planning, assigning and scheduling work, reviewing work and ensuring quality standards, training staff and overseeing their productivity. May offer recommendations for hiring, pay changes and termination, but does not have responsibility for making these decisions.

Position Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years fundraising experience overseeing at least $1M+ in revenue, through peer-to-peer fundraising events, major gifts and sponsorship, preferably for a national organization.
• Demonstrated ability in all key areas of fundraising: foundations, corporate giving programs, corporate sponsorships, annual fund gifts, major gifts, and peer-to-peer fundraising events.
• Track record of converting event participants and program participants into donors.
• Ability to close face to face sales and sponsorships.
• Demonstrated ability setting strategy.
• Strong volunteer recruitment and management skills and demonstrated ability to provide a high level of customer service and motivation to business and social leaders.
• Excellent planning, organizational and follow-up skills.
• Demonstrated professional and mature interaction with other staff and leadership volunteers, sponsors, donors and others to engage them toward the achievement of revenue goals.
• Skilled in working in a collaborative manner to build relationships with multiple external stakeholders, including the capacity to understand the interests and motivations of others.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects with varying priorities at one time.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively speak and present to individuals including high net worth donors, executive corporate management as well as small, mid-size and large groups.
• Deep appreciation for the mission. Knowledge of issues related to migraine is a plus, but is not required.
• Ability to travel.
• Bachelor’s Degree: Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Social Entrepreneurship; other equivalencies considered.

Benefits & Compensation

Hiring range is $90,000 - $125,000 and will be commensurate with experience and provide a generous benefits package including remote working environment, paid time off, medical insurance, 401(k) retirement plan and more. 

Application Information:

**To learn more and apply, please visit our hiring portal here.

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter that conveys why they are well suited for this position and how it fits into their career.