Director of Major Gifts

Position Summary

The Director of Major Gifts, a key member of the development leadership team, is responsible for designing and executing strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors in support of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM - 501c3) and the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts (PPAF - 501c4).

Reporting directly to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), the Director plays a pivotal role in advancing reproductive health and rights through high-level philanthropic partnerships, focusing on major gifts of $10,000+ (with a primary target on securing $25,000+ contributions).

The Director leads a growing team of Major Gift Officers (MGOs), manages a personal portfolio of highcapacity donors, and serves as a critical thought partner in shaping organizational fundraising priorities. This position requires a blend of frontline fundraising, strategic planning, cross-departmental collaboration, and direct engagement with executive leadership, board members, and development committees 

Your Day to Day:

Strategic Leadership & Team Management

• Lead the hiring, onboarding, and ongoing professional development of the MGO team, fostering a collaborative culture rooted in shared accountability, equity, and inclusion.
• Supervise and coach MGOs (each managing up to 120 donor households) on portfolio strategy, moves management, and impactful donor communication.
• In coordination with the Prospect Research Officer, oversee prospect pipeline management across all major gift portfolios.

Direct Fundraising & Portfolio Management

• Actively qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 90–95 major donors and prospects, achieving monthly in-person donor visits, annual solicitation, and revenue goals.
• Partner with the CDO, CEO, Chief Executive Administrative Office (CEAO), and key leadership to execute high-level cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Support the CDO in managing their personal portfolio of up to 30 executive donor relationships.
• Support the planning and execution of high-level donor events.

Strategy & Collaboration

• Develop and execute a comprehensive major gifts strategy aligned with organizational goals for both PPLM and PPAF.
• Partner with the Director of Development Operations to ensure all major gift activity, moves management, and pledge tracking are accurately reflected in the donor database.
• Collaborate with national and affiliate Planned Parenthood major gift colleagues to share best practices, solicitation trends, and cross-portfolio strategies.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Attend and work occasional evening/weekend events/committee meetings.
• Other tasks and responsibilities as needed. 

Qualifications:

Qualifications & Experience

• 8+ years of fundraising experience with progressive responsibility, including 5+ years of major gifts (portfolio management and solicitation) and 3+ years directly supervising staff. 
• Proven success in personally cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts of $25,000 or more.
• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred; an equivalent combination of education and professional fundraising experience will be considered. 
• Deep commitment to PPLM and PPAF’s mission of reproductive health, rights, and advocacy, with the ability to authentically articulate this mission to donors.
• Working knowledge of planned giving concepts and vehicles.
• Proficiency with fundraising CRMs (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce) and donor database management best practices.
•  Exceptional written, oral, and presentation skills tailored for high-level donors, board members, and executive leadership. 
•  Strong discretion, organizational ethics, and sound judgment when handling confidential donor information.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and build high-performing fundraising teams.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and have access to a vehicle. 

PPLM is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and an equal opportunity employer.

We are committed to creating a workplace where all people are honored, respected, and valued. We believe our organization is stronger when individuals with different experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds come together in service of a shared mission.

Our workplace values guide how we work with one another:

• We Tend to the Team
• We Honor and Respect All People
• We Jump In
• We Try and We Learn
• We Care for Our Business
• We Return to Our Mission

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage individuals whose experiences, perspectives, and skills can help us better serve our communities to apply.

Employment and advancement at PPLM are based on qualifications, performance, and organizational needs, without regard to any protected characteristic under applicable law.

PPLM is committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the application and interview process.