Director of Development

Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association

Organization Overview

The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is a Christ-centered nonprofit dedicated to being a place of spiritual birth, growth, and renewal. We cultivate meaningful relationships with individuals and families who share our passion for the work God has entrusted to us.

Role Summary

The Director of Development provides strategic and operational leadership for all fundraising activities. This role is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive development strategy with a strong emphasis on major gifts and planned giving, while also strengthening annual giving, donor engagement, and events.

The Director leads a small development team (two full-time and one part-time staff), sets a compelling vision for results-driven fundraising, and ensures daily operations align with long-term goals. The role also oversees modernization of development systems, data integrity, analytics, and cross-departmental collaboration to support organizational growth.

Reporting directly to the COO, this position works closely with Program, Operations, Finance, and Development teams. The role is primarily in-person with flexibility for remote work and required travel. Evening and weekend participation in special events is expected. The ideal candidate is a seasoned relational fundraiser, strategic thinker, and faithful steward aligned with Ocean Grove’s Christian mission and values.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals
• Lead and expand major gifts and planned giving programs, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Manage a portfolio of major donors and personally solicit significant gifts
• Partner with the COO, President, and Board to support fundraising and donor engagement
• Establish measurable fundraising goals and regularly track and report progress

Team Leadership & Culture

• Lead, mentor, and support a development team of three
• Establish clear roles, expectations, and performance metrics
• Foster a collaborative, mission-centered, results-driven culture
• Provide ongoing coaching, professional development, and encouragement

Systems, Data & Operations

• Oversee donor database/CRM systems to ensure accurate, timely, and actionable data
• Strengthen cross-departmental collaboration to support effective fundraising
• Lead modernization of fundraising systems, processes, and reporting
• Use data and analytics to inform strategy, segmentation, and decision-making
• Ensure compliant gift processing, acknowledgment, and stewardship practices
• Maintain adherence to ethical fundraising standards and regulations

Donor Engagement & Communication

• Ensure consistent, meaningful donor communication and stewardship
• Lead development of the annual report and refine appeals and digital giving strategies
• Collaborate with marketing/communications to align messaging and campaigns
• Strengthen donor journeys from first gift through long-term partnership and legacy giving

Board & Organizational Collaboration

• Support and leverage the Board of Trustees and Development Committee in fundraising
• Partner with the Development Committee Chair to develop and execute fundraising strategies and campaigns
• Prepare regular reports and updates for the Board and committees
• Work across departments to ensure donor feedback informs programs and organizational priorities

Core Competencies

• Major gift strategy and relationship management
• Planned giving knowledge and donor conversations
• Team leadership and staff development
• Vision-setting and results-driven management
• Systems thinking and operational excellence
• Clear communication and collaboration
• Faith-integrated leadership and stewardship mindset

Required Qualifications

• Wholehearted support of the organization’s Christian mission and values
• 7+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated major gifts success
• Experience with planned giving programs
• Proven ability to lead and manage staff
• Strategic thinker with strong execution and follow-through
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
• High integrity, professionalism, and spiritual maturity
• Experience with donor databases/CRMs and data-driven fundraising
• Ability to monitor and leverage social media trends and digital tools in fundraising