Director of Development, Northwest Florida

Director of Development, Northwest Florida

Together, we create life‑changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. From our humble beginnings with one boy’s wish to be a police officer, we have evolved to be one of the world’s leading children’s charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 400 volunteers, Make‑A‑Wish Central & Northern Florida granted 453 wishes last year.

The Director of Development serves as a front‑line fundraiser, establishing a local organizational presence and advancing relationships with individuals and organizations with the capacity or network to make philanthropic investments in Make‑A‑Wish Central & Northern Florida. This individual will be responsible for managing a Fundraising & Advisory Board, as well as a portfolio of individual and corporate donors and prospects; moving them through the qualification and cultivation processes to successful solicitation;

ensuring donors in the portfolio receive appropriate mission‑guided stewardship; and collaborating with development colleagues and organization leadership. This job requires a dynamic, motivated, energetic, and personable individual with a “go‑getter” attitude and a drive to meet and exceed budgetary fundraising goals.

• Drive strategic development of the NW region’s 18 counties, achieving $400,000 revenue growth in year one and increasing goals annually.
• Build and manage a portfolio of 250+ individual and corporate prospects, developing strategies for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship with a strong emphasis on face‑to‑face engagement.
• Achieve activity metrics aligned with revenue goals, including meaningful touchpoints, solicitations, and gifts received.
• Partner with the Wish Alumni Manager to engage families in fundraising, storytelling, and event ambassadorship.
• Utilize Salesforce CRM for moves management, ensuring timely documentation of strategies, interactions, and proposals within 24 hours; review records for accuracy and conduct regular portfolio reviews.

• Identify, recruit, and lead an advisory board and fundraising council to expand awareness, networks, and revenue.
• Maintain purposeful communication with board members and act promptly on referrals.
• Establish a strong presence in networking groups and community events to enhance visibility.
• Design and implement creative, cost‑effective stewardship initiatives for donors, volunteers, and alumni.

• Build relationships with medical professionals in collaboration with the Medical Outreach Manager; assist with content delivery for virtual and in‑person sessions.
• Seek opportunities to recognize medical professionals throughout the year (e.g., Nurses’ Week, Doctors’ Day).
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Manager to plan meaningful recognition opportunities.
• Identify and solicit in‑kind contributions and local wish experts; represent the organization at local wishes and special events.

• Complete proposals, pledge documents, regional mail logs, invoicing and expense tracking, and general correspondence.
• Complete monthly forecasting and regular chapter board reporting in collaboration with other Development team leads.
• Assist with other duties as assigned.

• Thrives in a results‑oriented culture of accountability, working independently and remotely with minimal supervision.
• Highly motivated, goal‑oriented self‑starter with strong initiative and self‑direction.
• Exercises critical thinking to grow major markets, build strategic plans, and engage the Advisory Council and Wish Alumni to advance the mission.
• Ability to create innovative ideas and events to increase regional support.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multiple departments, volunteers, donors, and community partners.
• Maintains consistent outreach, follow‑up, and solicitation to achieve revenue goals.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven…