Senior Director, Institutional Advancement
New Yesterday
Senior Director, Institutional Advancement Title: Senior Director, Institutional Advancement
Employment Status: Exempt
Salary: $100,00-160,000plus bonuses,commensuratewith experienceand performance
Supervisor Title: Senior Director,Strategic Partnerships and Philanthropy
Date Revised: October2025
Summary of Position :
Working closely with the organization’s leadership, theSenior Directorwill oversee management of the development office and focus on expanding Meridian’s network for individual and major gift donors and enhancing their engagement.
The successfulSenior Director will have front-line individual donor fundraisingexperience that includes leadingindividual membership campaigns,from anestablished, international think tank, or national security,orglobal affairsnonprofit. They will haveestablished relationships in thehigh-net-worthphilanthropic, cultural,internationaland political communitiesboth inside and outside ofWashington, D.C.,and an interest and understanding of international affairs,cultureand diplomacy.
This positionis located inWashington D.C. and Meridian requires MD, DC, or VA residence for all employees.The position may work partially remotely until further notice.
Position Responsibilities :
Individual Donors + Major Gifts Responsibilities
Responsible for directlyfundraising, andoverseeing the successful fundraising of the Institutional Advancement team,reaching allfundraising goals for the Meridian Council, the Meridian Ball, andCulturefix, with a 10%+averageannual growth rate
Ensuresretention of existing donors,maintainingan85%+donor membership renewal rate
In addition to growing the Meridian Council, Meridian Ball, andCulturefixfundraising, responsible forraising$300k+innew,mid-large sizegifts from individualsannually, cultivating and growing existing philanthropic partners and bringing in new onesfor programs and campaigns across Meridian
Overseesandhelps curatedonor engagement programs including the Meridian Council
Communicates regularly to individual donors and prospects and serves as thecentral pointof contact for philanthropic relationships
Draftsfundraisingcollateral as well as specific partnership and solicitation proposals tailored to major donors focused on Meridian programs and initiatives
Works closely with thespecial eventsteam to successfully implement the annual Meridian Ball,Culturefix,and other fundraising and donor events
Works with leadership to cultivate new Board members with an eye to growing the culture of philanthropy and major giving
Builds philanthropic partnerships for the capital campaign.
Management Responsibilities
Leads institutional advancement team in ensuringfundraising excellencethroughmoves management
Responsible for ensuring best practices in fundraising processes lead toaccurategift tracking,timelydonor acknowledgments,regularmembership renewalcycles,timelyscheduling of donor programs, and special event fundraising
Builds supportive supervision and team culture, directly supervising3 junior staff onInstitutionalAdvancement team
Provides input on goals and portfolios forInstitutionalAdvancementbudget and adherence to it
Communicates regularly with senior staff on overall development activities, budget goals, fundraisingprogressand issues
Responsible for completing all organizational administrative responsibilitiesin a timely mannerand meeting all organizational administrative deadlines
Other duties as assigned
Education/Experience
Undergraduate degree in International Relations, PublicPolicyor related fields
10years of progressive responsibility inanon-profit fundraising environment and an interest and familiarity with international affairs
Anyequivalent combination of training, education, and experience thatdemonstratesthe ability to perform the essential functions of the position
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Confident andaccomplishedfront-line fundraising experience and a proven ability toidentify, engage,solicitand close individual major donors independently
Demonstrated experience closing complex, multiyear gifts from diversified sources
Demonstrated ability to understandphilanthropicpriorities ofhigh-net-worthindividualsand ability to connect the dots to align withorganizational priorities
Strong experience with major event fundraising and ability to raise sponsorships and develop partnerships forspecial eventsand conferences
Experience working on a capital campaign preferred
Experience managing staff
Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects simultaneously
Experience with Salesforce database and Microsoft Office software packages
Strong inter-cultural communication skills; maturity, cultural sensitivity, and tact suitable for working with individuals from around the world
Technical Requirements:
Proficiencyin Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook and Teamsisnecessary for this role
Experience with Canva, Zoom and Salesforce is helpful
Employer’s Statement
Meridian is committed to empowering global leaders and amplifying voices of a wide variety of backgrounds to create pathways for greater understanding, shared values,and respect. Connecting people has been our foundation for over 65years. If you share our values and enthusiasm to promote non-partisan collaboration to address global challenges and opportunities, you can find a home at Meridian.
As an equal opportunity employer, Meridian promotes equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, family responsibilities, marital, veteran or military status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Equal employmentopportunitywill be offered andmaintainedto allpersonsat every stage and condition of employment, including recruiting, hiring, training, upgrading, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.
Meridian offers a comprehensive benefits package including a full medical plan with no deductible, dental (including orthodontics), a retirement plan with a substantial employer contribution from day one, fully paid life, long- and short-term disability, a variety of voluntary benefits, and generous paid leave and holidays.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates shouldapplywith a resume and cover letter thatcontainsthe following: Themost consequential gift you have cultivated and closed over $25,000?;Descripitonofyour experience and what motivates you as a front-line fundraiser and working with philanthropic and HNW individuals.Please include the types of donors that were in your previous portfolios;Have you been in charge of a fundraising event(s) or councils?If so, please describe your role,experienceand any success storiesof your leadership of fundraising event(s) and/or councils. Applications should besubmitted here .Only candidates being considered for this position will be contacted. NO PHONE CALLSin reference tothis position will be accepted.
Meridian International Center
1630 Crescent Place, NW, Washington, DC 20009
#J-18808-Ljbffr
- Location:
- Washington, DC, United States
- Salary:
- $200,000 - $250,000
- Job Type:
- FullTime
- Category:
- Other