OVERVIEW:

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Senior Director of Philanthropy – Team Lead, will play a critical role in the growth of Year Up United to serve more students. The Senior Director of Philanthropy will manage a portfolio of individual donors/prospects in support of the Year Up United mission and ongoing operations and strategic initiatives, with a focus on proactively identifying and engaging new independently or in partnership with our research team and our Campaign Committee and other leaders. The Team Lead will also oversee a group of solicitors in the field spread across Year Up United’s locations nationwide working toward similar goals.

To be successful in this role, you will be someone who has cultivated, solicited, closed, and stewarded critical business relationships and/or donors at the five, six, and seven-figure gift level. You will feel at home working in an environment that requires you to juggle multiple priorities and competing deadlines, while never losing sight of the overarching goals and desired outcomes.

The Senior Director of Philanthropy, Team Lead will also interact with students as a mentor, group facilitator, and advocate, participating in building a positive educational environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Team Leadership

Create strategic plans to drive team performance, ensuring fundraising cash and revenue targets for direct reports and overall team are met or exceeded
Manage direct reports in a collaborative, team-based environment, thinking through staff development, roles, and team growth as needed to maximize the philanthropic potential of our Major and Mid-Level giving programs.
Embody servant leadership style to empower strengths of all team members
Work closely with Managing Director of Development, other Development leadership, and other functional teams to ensure alignment to strategy, process, and cross-team collaboration
Other duties as assigned

Development

Identify, cultivate, solicit, close and steward individual and family foundation donors at five-, six-, and potentially seven-figure gift level and prep leadership or other influencers involved in donor relationships
Connect or engage with individuals likely to make $100K+ gifts
Manage a portfolio of approximately 70 individuals or families
Collaborate with Leadership and/or the CEO’s office on creating opportunities for meaningful engagement and solicitation of Campaign Committee members
Collaborate with prospect research and Campaign Committee members to identify and approach new leads
Track all contacts and activity in fundraising database (Salesforce.com)
Collaborate and coordinate with Development staff on all necessary prospect research, communication and cultivation event logistics
Maintain confidentiality of all donor-related information
Other duties as assigned

Site Team/Learning Community Member

Serve as a coach /mentor for a small number of current students
Join and sometimes facilitate weekly group sessions with students
Participate in staff meetings and trainings

QUALIFICATIONS:

At least 7 years of development, business development, investor relations, or high-level sales experience.
Demonstrated comfort and experience with identifying, cultivating, stewarding, and closing significant gifts or building and managing critical external relationships
Experience assessing and closing major business opportunities regardless of industry: engaging, cultivating, and stewarding new stakeholders and converting into long-term partnerships
Capacity for strategic leadership and vision to work with senior leadership on fundraising priorities and to use moves management and metrics to ensure accountability
Effectiveness in independent and teamwork, with assiduous attention to sharing information with others.
Communications skills sufficient for clearly discussing complex issues with diverse audiences and energizing listeners
Exceptional writing and presentation skills
Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint. Experience in Salesforce or donor database preferred.
Strong execution and follow-up
Ability to travel regionally and nationally 20-25% of the time
Highly self-motivated, accountable and able to make decisions independently
A passion for working with young adults, an unshakable belief in their potential and a strong commitment to the mission of Year Up United
Understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its drivers
Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Salary Range: $173,400 - $202,000

#LI-Hybrid

WORKING AT YEAR UP UNITED:

Starting January 5, 2026, employees are expected to work on-site at least two days per week (Monday through Thursday dependent on job requirements). To be eligible for employment, candidates must live and work in a state (or an approved proximate state*) where Year Up United operates. For a list of eligible locations, please visit: https://www.yearup.org/job-training/locations.

*Approved proximate states where Year Up United operates are: Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina and Virginia.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate’s skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.
Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.
Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.
Professional Development: Funds available to support staff in achieving career objectives ($2,500 per year)

** This is an exempt role (paid on a salaried basis). **

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Year Up United is a national 501(c)3 workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults—no matter their background, income, or zip code. Employers face a growing need for talent while millions of talented young adults lack access to meaningful careers. These inequities only further perpetuate the opportunity gap that exists in our country—a gap that Year Up United is determined and positioned to close through three interconnected strategies: providing targeted skills training and connections to livable-wage employment for students and alumni; empowering others to serve and support young adults, and changing systems that perpetuate the opportunity gap. Year Up United’s intensive training program utilizes a high expectations, high support model where students learn in-demand technical and professional skills and apply them during a corporate internship. Year Up United has directly served more than 40,000 young adults since its founding in 2000. Year Up United's nationwide presence includes Arizona, Austin, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Atlanta, Greater Boston, Greater Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City/Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Rhode Island, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Wilmington.

Voted one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in the country by The NonProfit Times, Year Up United is a rewarding and impactful place to work. Our staff is passionate, supportive, mission-driven, and committed to positive change and continuous learning. We set high standards for both ourselves and our students and live by a set of core values that reflect an unshakable belief in the talent and potential of our young people. The work we do is life-changing, and we know that our team is the greatest asset in achieving our mission.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

Year Up United embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discharge, or discipline, are based on meritocracy. We do not permit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Learn more about our commitment to diversity: http://www.yearup.org/about-us/careers/commitment-to-diversity/

Year Up United is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Your recruiter can provide details regarding the expected work environment and any physical requirements. Please let our hiring team know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our website.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered. We respectfully request no phone calls.

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Senior Director of Philanthropy, Major and Mid-Level Giving Team Lead