Senior Director Philanthropy - Major Gifts

Our mission is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford so all people may experience its life-changing message

Senior Director Philanthropy - Major Gifts

Title: Senior Director

Department: Development

Sub-Department: Major Gifts

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Summary:

American Bible Society has historic roots, global reach, and a vision for engaging a new generation of Bible advocates. We are seeking talented, motivated, and collaborative people to come alongside us as we share the life-changing message of the Bible into our third century of ministry. The Senior Director of Philanthropy-Major Gifts will work collaboratively with the Chief Development Officer and senior leaders across the organization to develop and implement comprehensive major gift strategies that meet or exceed annual revenue goals in support of American Bible Society’s mission and ministry. This role is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-capacity donors and prospects, including those with the capacity to make annual gifts of $10,000 or more, while providing strategic leadership to strengthen the overall major gifts program.

This leader will oversee and coach a team of Philanthropy – Major Gift Advisors while also managing and growing a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors. The role requires an experienced leader, strategic thinker, disciplined fundraiser, and exceptional relationship builder who models best-practice major gift fundraising and drives a culture of accountability, performance, and donor-centered engagement.

This is a highly visible leadership role that reports to the Chief Development Officer and serves on the Development Leadership Team.

Minimum Spiritual and Personal Commitment:

• Demonstrate a personal commitment to Jesus Christ.
• Identify with and participate in a Christian church and proactively seek to grow in their Christian faith.
• Actively participate in organizational prayer, devotional times, and organization-wide events.
• Maintain an exemplary standard of Christian ethics, behavior, and conduct within ABS and in their public and private life outside of ABS and always seek to uphold ABS’ Standards of Conduct and Affirmation of Biblical Community.
• Demonstrate Christian maturity in all interactions as displayed by good judgment based on biblical values and principles.
• Actively incorporate their faith in all aspects of their daily work.
• Demonstrate desire and ability to support organizational biblical and religious goals and participate in regular work-related spiritual activities without reservation.
• Have a personal passion for and belief in the Word of God, its ability to transform lives, and the mission of American Bible Society.
• Demonstrate alignment with the vision, mission, and values of American Bible Society.

Key Responsibilities:

Major Gift Fundraising Strategy and Execution

• In collaboration with the Chief Development Officer and Development Leadership Team, develop and implement comprehensive data-driven strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors.
• Personally build, manage, and grow a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, including identifying new prospects, qualifying potential donors, and strategically advancing relationships toward significant and transformational gifts. These prospects should have the capacity for a one-time major gift of $10,000/annual or more.
• Develop and execute individualized moves management plans for each donor in the portfolio, ensuring intentional cultivation, timely solicitation, and meaningful stewardship.
• Conduct regular face-to-face visits in-person to deepen relationships and secure major gifts aligned with ministry priorities.
• Lead and equip a team of Major Gift- Philanthropy Advisors to achieve or exceed annual fundraising goals and deepen donor engagement.
• Oversee portfolio strategy and performance management across the team, ensuring disciplined activity metrics, pipeline growth, and revenue achievement.
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer and Senior Leadership Team to prepare for high-level cultivation and solicitation visits, proposals, and presentations.
• Collaborate closely with Donor Services, Stewardship, and Prospect Development to strengthen pipeline development, donor qualification, and advancement to higher levels of giving.
• Ensure excellence in proposal development, impact reporting, and stewardship communications that inspire transformational giving.

Strategic Planning and Performance Management

• In partnership with Development Leadership and Prospect Development, support the creation and execution of annual and multi-year major gift revenue plans aligned with organizational strategic priorities.
• Establish and monitor leading performance indicators, including face-to-face donor meetings, qualification activity, proposals submitted, pipeline movement, and revenue attainment. Analyze fundraising data and trends to inform strategy adjustments and optimize results.
• Stay current on major gift fundraising trends and best practices, incorporating innovative approaches to deepen donor engagement and expand philanthropic investment.

Team Leadership and Management

• Provide leadership and oversight to the Major Gifts team in accordance with ministry policies and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring, training, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Model strong portfolio discipline and fundraising effectiveness, setting the standard for excellence across the team.
• Provide ongoing individualized coaching and strategic guidance to Major Gift – Philanthropy Advisors, strengthening their portfolio strategy, donor engagement, solicitation effectiveness, and overall performance to achieve and exceed revenue goals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and relational excellence within the team.
• Alongside Development Operations, the Chief Development Officer, and Finance, track and forecast major gift revenue and manage departmental budgets with strong stewardship and fiscal responsibility.
• Champion a culture of philanthropy across the organization by equipping internal partners to engage effectively in donor relationships.

Qualifications:

Key Competencies:

All ABS staff must demonstrate the following skills:

All staff must demonstrate the following skills at a level fitting their role: 

• Communication Skills:
  • Strategic Communication: Expert in persuasive communication, adept at public speaking, and able to influence senior stakeholders.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: 
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Leads teams effectively, builds strong team dynamics, and fosters a collaborative organizational culture.
• Cultural Competence and Inclusion: 
  • Inclusive Leadership: Promotes inclusivity and addresses biases within the team.
• Service Orientation: 
  • Service Strategy: Develops service-centric strategies, drives service recipient satisfaction, and ensures organizational alignment with service expectations.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: 
  • Strategic Change Management: Leads change initiatives, drives innovation, and helps the organization navigate through significant changes.
• Time Management and Organization: 
  • Strategic Optimization: Develops time management strategies for the organization, optimizes productivity, and aligns team efforts with organizational goals.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: 
  • Strategic Organizational Solutions: Anticipates potential problems, creates strategic solutions and guides the organization through complex challenges.
• Leadership and Initiative: 
  • Organizational Leadership: Sets strategic direction and collaborates across departments to achieve and inspires organizational growth.

All people managers must demonstrate the following skills at a level fitting their role: 

• Strategic Thinking and Decision Making:
  • Strategic Alignment: Develops plans that align with team objectives and organizational goals.
• Continuous Learning and Development:
  • Team Development: Encourages and supports team members’ professional development.
• Innovation and Creativity:
  • Process Improvement: Implements innovative solutions to enhance team and organizational performance.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands of this role are consistent with those typically associated with a professional office environment. The position requires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods, use a computer and standard office equipment, and communicate effectively with others in person, by phone, and electronically. Occasional lifting of light materials (e.g., up to 15 pounds), as well as local travel to meetings or events, may be required. The role may also involve attending events that require extended periods of standing or movement. 

American Bible Society is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities and ensuring a workplace free from discrimination. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to participate in the application process and perform the essential functions of their job.

Office Location: 

Hybrid preferred; remote considered if located near a major US Airport.

Core Hours:

8:30 a.m. - 5:00 pm (EST)

Travel Required:

Several trips to HQ per year. Ability to travel for events, partner meetings, conferences, etc., primarily in the continental U.S. but occasionally internationally, will also be a regular component of this job. Expected field meetings and/or travel: 25 - 40%

Additional Information:

• Background Check: Candidates must pass a background check as a condition of employment. This may include criminal history, credit check, and verification of employment and education history.
• Reference Checks: Employment is contingent upon satisfactory reference checks.
• Eligibility to Work: Candidates must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
• Affirmation of Biblical Community: Candidates must sign and agree to uphold the ABS Affirmation of Biblical Community as a condition of employment.

American Bible Society is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. We believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, created in the image of God, and strive to reflect Christ’s love and justice in our employment practices. 

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is rooted in our Christian faith and values, which call us to love and respect all people.

As a faith-based organization, we require employees to affirm and uphold our Christian beliefs as a condition of employment. This requirement is consistent with our mission and ensures that our work environment aligns with our core values and deeply held religious principles.