Senior Director of Development: Make Wish Foundation

The Senior Director of Development of Philadelphia is a senior fundraising leader responsible for advancing philanthropic growth and revenue across the Philadelphia region for Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley. This role joins the chapter at a pivotal and exciting moment as the organization prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary and deepen its presence and impact in Philadelphia.

The Senior Director will play a critical role in shaping anniversary-related fundraising efforts, including the launch of a new inaugural signature event that will serve as a cornerstone of the chapter’s long-term Philadelphia fundraising strategy. Reporting to the Vice President of Development, this role is responsible for developing and executing short- and long-term fundraising strategies, strengthening donor and volunteer engagement, and driving sustainable revenue growth in support of the chapter’s mission.

This position directly manages one key fundraising position; the Development Associate of Philadelphia who is focused on student fundraising and peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives.

• Lead the strategy, development, and launch of a new inaugural signature fundraising event in Philadelphia in celebration of the chapter’s 40th anniversary, establishing it as a cornerstone of the chapter’s long-term fundraising strategy.
• Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies for the Philadelphia region aligned with chapter-wide goals and priorities.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Development to establish annual fundraising goals across revenue streams and ensure accountability for results.
• Recruit, engage, and steward high-level volunteer leaders and honoree(s) to support fundraising committees, drive corporate sponsor ships, and advance individual giving.
• Launch and oversee vendor campaigns within the event and committee structure.
• Drive additional fundraising opportunities, including external events, stewardship and cultivation experiences, giving programs, point-of-sale initiatives, and employee fundraising efforts.
• Provide strategic oversight for all Philadelphia-based fundraising initiatives, including signature and third-party events, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and community fundraising.
• Oversee all aspects of event planning and execution, including budgeting, sponsorship strategy, volunteer leadership, implementation, and post-event evaluation.
• Partner closely with the Marketing & Communications team to ensure exceptional execution aligned with the chapter’s brand, mission, and donor experience standards.
• Cultivate, steward, and solicit a portfolio of high-level individual donors, corporate partners, and community leaders.
• Identify, qualify, and cultivate prospective donors for individual and corporate gifts.
• Lead one-on-one donor engagement by clearly communicating the chapter’s vision, actively listening, and identifying meaningful engagement opportunities.
• Manage all stages of the gift cycle, including cultivation, solicitation, closure, and ongoing stewardship.
• Mobilize volunteers and supporters to deepen engagement and connection to the mission.
• Directly manage, coach, and mentor one Philadelphia focused fundraising role– Development Associate of Philadelphia –ensuring alignment with chapter-wide priorities and performance expectations.
• Set clear goals, success metrics, and accountability structures that drive strong fundraising results, operational excellence, and continuous professional growth.
• Develop and support individualized professional development plans, building bench strength and supporting succession planning within the development team.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture that encourages innovation, cross-functional partnership, and shared ownership of outcomes.

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Work closely with Marketing & Communications and Mission Delivery teams to ensure alignment, consistency, and impact.
• Leverage data, reporting, and donor insights to inform strategy and decision-making.
• Maintain fluency and oversight across Make-A-Wish fundraising systems, including Salesforce and event…