Senior Director, Development

Braille Institute of America, Inc., 741 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, California, United States of America

Posted Friday, February 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM

THE OPPORTUNITY

Join us in building a more inclusive world at Braille Institute of America. We are undertaking one of the most transformative initiatives in our history, planning our next century of success in serving the blind and visually impaired communities.

Through our  strategic planning process, we identified the next generation opportunities to advance critical initiatives in areas such as customer research; the expansion and transformation of current programs and services; the development of new nationally and internationally accessible programs; the creation of dynamic new strategic partnerships; and the alignment of our mission, strategy, and resources.

If you are ready to join a dynamic organization transforming the lives of individuals experiencing vision loss, we want you on our team.

At Braille Institute, we are driven by a shared purpose: to serve the blind and low vision community. We come together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, finding fulfillment in the impact we create. We believe in fostering a culture that is collaborative, inclusive, and flexible.

We understand the importance of work-life balance, valuing both personal and professional fulfillment. Here, you ll find an environment that supports your well-being while providing opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive alongside colleagues who are sighted and visually impaired.

Join us in embracing technology and innovation as we shape the future of accessibility and positively transform the lives of those with vision loss.

Address your cover letter to:
Gary Jimenez

The Senior Director of Development is a strategic fundraising leader responsible for building, expanding, and optimizing Braille Institute’s mid‑level and major giving programs. Our goal is to grow our base of private support by 10X by 2030. This position is critical to that growth and oversees a team of gift officers and plays a critical role in designing donor strategies, deepening donor engagement, and growing sustainable philanthropic revenue to advance our mission.

The Senior Director provides vision, leadership, and hands‑on partnership in cultivating donor relationships, strengthening the donor pipeline, and ensuring frontline fundraisers are equipped and supported. This role collaborates closely with organizational leadership to integrate fundraising priorities across the organization.

• Strategic Leadership & Program Development:
  Develop and execute strategies to grow mid‑level and major giving programs in alignment with organizational goals.
• Strategic Leadership & Program Development:
  Build and manage a scalable donor pipeline that supports long‑term fundraising success.
• Strategic Leadership & Program Development:
  Define annual development plans, revenue targets, and performance metrics for giving programs.
• Strategic Leadership & Program Development:
  Oversee portfolio strategy, including prospect identification, assignments, and moves‑management processes.

Note: The following sections are presented as separate role areas for clarity, but content remains aligned with original responsibilities.

• Team Management & Coaching
• Lead, mentor, and support a team of gift officers, fostering a collaborative, high‑performance culture.
• Establish expectations for portfolio management, cultivation activities, and solicitation goals.
• Provide ongoing coaching and professional development to enhance fundraising skills and effectiveness.
• Promote accountability, transparency, and excellence in frontline fundraising practices.
• Manage a portfolio of 75-100 major gift donors and prospects
• Support gift officers with complex cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Engage personally with high‑capacity donors and prospects, participating in key meetings and solicitations.
• Ensure a robust, donor‑centric stewardship program that strengthens long‑term relationships.

• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with executive leadership, program…