Major Gifts Director, Donor Relations & Strategy

Overview

The Donor Relations Director (DRD) is an integral leadership position within the Northern New England (NNE) Division’s Community Relations and Development (CRD) team and reports directly to the Divisional Director of Advancement. The DRD plays a critical role in advancing the Division’s major gift and philanthropic revenue efforts across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont by generating significant gift revenue in support of the Division’s strategic funding priorities.

This leadership role is based within the Northern New England Divisional CRD office, a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment that values teamwork, initiative, and shared accountability. The DRD provides strategic direction and hands-on execution across the Division’s major gift efforts while managing a high-end portfolio of major donors and prospects. Serving as the primary relationship manager between The Salvation Army and its major donors, the DRD identifies, cultivates, solicits, acknowledges, stewards, and upgrades donor relationships with a focus on long-term engagement and sustained philanthropic impact.

The position requires frequent travel and regular participation in leadership and staff meetings at Divisional Headquarters in Portland, Maine.

The role emphasizes long-term donor partnerships, including blended, complex, and planned giving strategies, in close coordination with the Director of Planned Giving and ongoing collaboration with The Salvation Army’s Territorial Community Relations and Development (TCRD) Team to ensure alignment with territorial fundraising strategies, donor engagement standards, and best practices. This collaboration ensures consistency, accountability, and strategic alignment across divisional and territorial fundraising efforts.

• Bachelor’s degree required; minimum of five years of successful nonprofit fundraising experience, preferably in major gifts.
• Demonstrated success in generating major gift revenue and managing high-level donor portfolios.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate mission impact, funding priorities, and complex gift concepts.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to collaborate, influence, and guide internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to build and sustain positive relationships with diverse donors and partners.
• High degree of initiative, professionalism, and comfort with complex problem solving.
• Strong aptitude for direct donor engagement, including financial conversations and solicitation.
• Ability to work independently and strategically in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout the Northern New England Division.
• Demonstrated ability to set, track, and achieve fundraising goals and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; experience with CRM systems, preferably Salesforce.
• Collaborative, mission-driven team player committed to The Salvation Army’s values and purpose.
• Commitment to and support of The Salvation Army’s mission.
• CFRE or other relevant professional certification is a plus.

• Generous paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Sick leave
• Personal days
• Bereavement Leave
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Retirement plan
• Benefits may vary based on position classification and eligibility.

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory, or all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Acceptable job performance includes the completion of the job responsibilities as well as compliance with the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of The Salvation Army.

The employee occupies a position of trust and is expected to maintain confidentiality and exhibit loyalty to The Salvation Army and the staff of The Salvation Army in all job-related matters and activities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Please submit your resume and letter of interest to: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). .com