Managing Director, Leadership Gifts

Job Title: Managing Director, Enterprise Fundraising - Leadership Gifts 

Status: Exempt 

TEAM: Central Fundraising 

REPORTS TO: Vice President, Leadership Gifts Officer 

LOCATION: New York City Metro Area - highly preferred

PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 6th, 2026; Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

THE ROLE 

As Managing Director, Leadership Gifts, you will play a pivotal role in advancing Teach For America’s mission by mobilizing transformational philanthropic investments from ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) and next-generation philanthropists — including gifts at the $1M+ level.

Reporting to the Vice President, Leadership Gifts Officer, you will own end-to-end strategy and execution for a high-stakes donor portfolio and serve as a key architect behind complex, seven- and eight-figure fundraising opportunities. A core priority of this role is originating and closing new investments. This includes proactively identifying, cultivating, and securing new philanthropic capital through market-based and in-region engagement strategies — expanding TFA’s leadership-level donor base, not just stewarding existing relationships.

This position is highly cross-functional and requires disciplined execution in a matrixed environment. You will work closely with TFA’s senior executives, and regional Executive Directors — preparing them to make bold, high-dollar asks and ensuring they are positioned for success by owning the strategy, materials, sequencing, and stakeholder alignment necessary to close.. This role requires comfort operating at the highest levels of philanthropy and confidence driving strategy that culminates in $1M+ solicitations.

WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR: 

Portfolio Ownership & Transformational Asks (30%)

• Manage, cultivate, steward, and solicit a portfolio that includes ultra-high-net-worth individuals capable of $1M+ investments

• Design and execute comprehensive relationship strategies from cultivation through close

• Lead strategy for major solicitations, including sequencing touchpoints, building cases for support, and determining ask amounts

• Directly quarterback the strategy for seven-figure solicitations

• Produce executive-ready materials (briefings, proposals, concept papers, impact reports) that require minimal revision before use

New Money Origination & Revenue Growth (35%)

• Drive a clear “new money” mandate by identifying and originating new leadership-level investments

• Develop market-based strategies for in-region prospect identification and engagement

• Build and convert a pipeline of new high-capacity donors into active investors

• Partner with regional teams to expand TFA’s leadership-level footprint in key markets

• Set ambitious revenue goals and execute against them with rigor and accountability

Executive Partnership & CEO Preparation (20%)

• Prepare TFA’s CEO, VP, and local Executive Directors for high-stakes donor meetings and asks

• Develop briefing documents, talking points, and follow-up strategies to maximize executive effectiveness

• Manage up effectively — ensuring leadership is equipped, aligned, and positioned to close

• Anticipate needs and proactively remove friction from executive fundraising engagements

Cross-Functional Leadership & Systems (15%)

• Serve as a strategic partner to regional Executive Directors and development teams

• Clarify roles and accountability across stakeholders to maintain momentum

• Ensure accurate and timely tracking of donor, prospect, and fundraising activity in Salesforce

• Use data to monitor progress, identify gaps, and inform adjustments to strategy and execution

IN-REGION EXPECTATIONS

This role requires meaningful in-region presence to cultivate donors and co-design strategy with regional leaders.

• Minimum of 1 day per week in the NYC office, with Wednesdays typically designated as an in-office collaboration day

• Attendance at monthly New York leadership meetings

• Additional in-region presence as needed to support donor cultivation, executive meetings, and key market engagement

• Regular travel required to support portfolio growth and closing activity

In-person presence is in service of deep relationship building, executive alignment, and high-touch donor strategy execution.

WHAT YOU BRING

Transformational Fundraising Experience

• Demonstrated success closing $1M+ gifts

• Direct experience engaging ultra-high-net-worth individuals

• Comfort leading high-stakes solicitations and navigating complex philanthropic dynamics

• Proven ability to build and convert new donor pipelines

Executive-Level Partnership

• Experience preparing CEOs or senior leaders for major donor engagements

• Ability to operate with discretion, judgment, and confidence at the highest organizational levels

• Strong ability to manage up and drive clarity across senior stakeholders

Portfolio Ownership & Execution

• Ability to independently own end-to-end strategy and execution

• High bar for quality — brings work forward at 95% complete

• Strong prioritization and decision-making skills in fast-paced, revenue-driven environments

• Disciplined follow-through and accountability

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in development and fundraising

• Demonstrated track record of closing $1M+ gifts

• Experience partnering with executive leadership in fundraising contexts

• Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with ultra-high-net-worth individuals and/or next-generation philanthropists

• Experience driving new market-based donor acquisition strategies

• Event strategy and execution experience

• Proficiency with Salesforce and strong presentation/tool fluency

YOUR COMPENSATION

The applicable salary range for each U.S.-based role is based on where the employee works and is aligned to one of 3 tiers according to a cost of labor index in that geographic area. Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. The expected salary ranges for this role are set forth below. These ranges may be modified in the future.

• Tier A: $90,000 - $122,700

• Tier B: $98,000 - $133,700

• Tier C: $106,100 - $144,700

You can view which tier applies to where you plan to work here.