waypointjobs

Washington Nationals Dream Foundation

Senior Director, Development (WNDF)

washington, DC

Check who can apply and the requirements below before continuing.

About this opportunity

Washington Nationals Dream Foundation lists this Senior Director, Development (WNDF) opportunity in washington, District of Columbia. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.

Job description

Since 2007, the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation (Foundation) has served as the philanthropic arm of the Major League Baseball franchise, distributing more than $8 million in grants to local organizations. With the opening of its Youth Baseball Academy (“Academy”) in 2013, the team’s philanthropic impact extended to on-the-ground programming. Building off the success of these two entities and an expanded vision for maximizing impact, the Washington Nationals are developing an enterprise philanthropic organization, using the team’s brand as a platform to activate citizen-fans, businesses, foundations, and civic leaders collectively to bring about positive change. In the spirit of One Pursuit for a better Washington, this new enterprise will catalyze mass citizen participation. In so doing, we aim to become the best philanthropic organization in professional sports. To achieve this goal, we are seeking to add energetic and passionate individuals dedicated to building a re-imagined philanthropic entity under the banner of the Washington Nationals. A key member of this team will be the Senior Director, Development (“Sr. Director”). Reporting to the Chief Marketing/Development Officer (“CMDO”), the Sr. Director will be responsible for overseeing a team of front-line fundraisers. The role exclusively focuses on securing traditional philanthropic revenue defined as: major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations; event sponsorships, including the annual Washington Nationals Homecoming Gala and an existing suite of events supporting the Academy; corporate, foundation, and government grants; and other fundraising and cultivation events. The Sr. Director also will have overarching responsibility for growing, and managing, the donor pipeline. The role is within the Marketing and Development department, working alongside colleagues dedicated to citizen-fan (grassroots) fundraising and marketing. The ideal candidate will have a successful record of securing major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and event sponsors. S/He will have experience managing a team and a proven ability to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. S/He must be a diligent and detail-oriented cultivator and steward of relationships – with prospects, donors, and other stakeholders, including department colleagues and other Washington Nationals front office employee. S/He must also demonstrate a solution-oriented mindset at all times. The Nationals are a military-friendly organization actively recruiting veterans and spouses.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Working with the CMDO, assist in the development and lead execution of the major gift and corporate development strategy

Grow the organization’s pipeline by identifying and cultivating relationships with new donors

Manage the moves management process of organizational funding pipelines, including the deployment of work and accountability across a team of front-line fundraisers

Drive strategy for top prospects and uses a donor-centered fundraising approach while assuming ownership over a portfolio of major donors

Manage and grow revenue from corporate entities by creating and implementing a robust corporate partnerships program, including activation of corporate donors in citizen-fan (grassroots) campaigns

Oversee and partner with the Grants Manager to identify and cultivate foundation donor prospects and oversee the processes of grant writing, LOI preparation and submission, and grant reporting

Develop and implement a stewardship program aimed at creating deeper ties with donors to ensure a rewarding donor experience and increased annual giving

Lead pipeline meetings with the development team, helpings individual fundraisers stay accountable to their activity and revenue goals while providing guidance and thought partnership, where needed

Oversee the monitoring of all donor data to ensure effective moves management, including the transition of grass-roots donors into a traditional/major gifts pipeline

Create and present revenue analysis to senior leadership and the Boards on a regular basis

Play leading role in developing Case(s) for Support and other materials relevant for donor communication including but not limited to sponsorship decks, tailored proposals, and annual reports

Oversee and monitor effective use and implementation of Salesforce platform by the development team (including the CEO, COO, and CMDO); oversight inclusive of data entry, task generation, and reporting

Serve as development team liaison to the Academy Board and other key high capacity fundraising volunteers, such as event host committees

Contribute to the success of the organization by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Leadership

Communicate proactively and effectively with the executive team, Academy Board, staff, advisors, key volunteers, and WNBC staff to create a culture of creativity and philanthropy that fosters and encourages transformative gifts

Support and manage the CEO, CMDO, and COO in using their time effectively on fundraising. Prepare them for participating in donor meetings, presentations, and stewardship activities, as appropriate

Support the Major Gifts Officer in his/her stewardship of Board Members who are also major gift donors

Support the Executive Director of the Academy and CEO in managing a pipeline of prospective new board members and support recruitment efforts

Staff management

Manage and oversee the development department, providing coaching, training, and professional development to team members with a focus on optimization of time and resources

Consistently assess the development department resources to ensure fundraisers have the best tools available to drive revenue generation

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

10-15 years of experience in frontline major gifts fundraising, with 5+ years’ experience managing a development team

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent military experience

Excellent computer skills, with a strong familiarity in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) and Salesforce.com or analogous CRM platform

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities necessary to perform essential functions

Ability to manage development professionals and provide strategic direction across the department and organization

Exceptional writing skills, including the capability of being “final read” on externally-facing fundraising materials

Demonstrated success in soliciting and closing six- and seven-figure gifts from a variety of audiences

Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate internally and represent the Washington Nationals externally

Ability to make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospective donors to specific needs

Ability to interact, communicate, and work effectively in a multicultural environment and with people from diverse backgrounds

Exceptional time management and organizational skills

Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment

Office: Working conditions are normal for an office environment

Position will require occasional weekend and/or evening work

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Worksite address

washington, DC, 20022, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.

Ready for your next step?Apply on the official website
Apply on WhatJobs ↗

Explore related searches

Current related jobs

BMO Financial

WhatJobs

Premier Client Specialist

libertyville, IL

See pay details in description

Application Deadline: 11/29/2026 Address: 354 N Milwaukee Avenue Job Family Group: Retail Banking Sales & Service Acts as …

Last received from source 2026-10-06View job

BMO Financial

WhatJobs

Premier Client Specialist

modesto, CA

Salary not specified

Application Deadline: 11/29/2026 Address: 1401 Oakdale Rd. Job Family Group: Retail Banking Sales & Service Acts as the pr…

Last received from source 2026-10-06View job

BMO Financial

WhatJobs

Premier Client Specialist

frankfort, IL

See pay details in description

Application Deadline: 11/29/2026 Address: 20820 S LaGrange Road Job Family Group: Retail Banking Sales & Service Acts as t…

Last received from source 2026-10-06View job

BMO Financial

WhatJobs

Premier Client Specialist

sun prairie, WI

See pay details in description

Application Deadline: 11/29/2026 Address: 1140 W Main Street Job Family Group: Retail Banking Sales & Service Acts as the …

Last received from source 2026-10-06View job

BMO Financial

WhatJobs

Premier Client Specialist

greenwood, IN

See pay details in description

Application Deadline: 11/29/2026 Address: 1696 Meridian Oaks Drive Job Family Group: Retail Banking Sales & Service Acts a…

Last received from source 2026-10-06View job