Senior Director of Development

Atlanta Legal Aid Society (“Legal Aid”) is seeking a highly experienced, motivated, and strategic Senior Director of Development. 

Founded in 1924, our non-profit law firm represents low-income people in a variety of civil legal matters, including family, housing, consumer, public benefits, education, and health law in a five-county service area (Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties). Our clients and their legal issues are diverse and numerous. Legal Aid employs over 150 staff in five county offices, five medical facilities, and numerous units, programs, and projects throughout its service area.  

The Senior Director of Development will be a member of the senior leadership team and report to the Executive Director.  This pivotal senior leadership role will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of our fundraising activities, driving significant revenue growth, and ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of Atlanta Legal Aid. The Senior Director will lead a dedicated development team, cultivate strong donor relationships, and work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors and its Development Committee, and other key stakeholders to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.

 Responsibilities 

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop and implement a strategy for Atlanta Legal Aid’s comprehensive development program, including annual campaign, events, board campaign, major gifts, planned giving, and community communications. 
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and supervision to the development team, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and results-oriented culture, while prioritizing high-quality research, writing, and submission processes.
• Develop and monitor the development budget in collaboration with the Executive Director and Director of Finance, including progress toward fundraising goals and strategy to achieve goals.
• Develop, plan, and implement major gifts initiatives, including analysis of current constituents, prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, to meet the organization’s fundraising goals.
• Develop event plans and activities for cultivation, stewardship, and resource development as a part of a comprehensive development plan.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop and implement donor segmentation strategies, cultivation activities, and personal visits for major and legacy giving. 
• Oversee all foundation, corporate, and community fundraising activities, including grants and grant-related activities.
• Work with the development team to design multiple solicitation opportunities for current donors and prospects. 
• Manage event planner(s) and development team to ensure adherence to budgets and revenue goals and to maximize the cultivation and stewardship value of events.
• Maintain accurate records of fundraising activities and interaction with prospects and donors using donor management software, including recording contact reports for all substantive prospect and donor communication. 
• Collaborate with communications and marketing staff to implement development-related communications and outreach and ensure communications support strategic objectives. Write and/or edit high-level communications, as needed.
• Partner effectively with program managers and the finance team to monitor and report allocation of restricted foundation giving.
• Participate in Atlanta Legal Aid board meetings and prepare board reports for development.
• Represent Atlanta Legal Aid at key events, meetings, and community functions to build and strengthen relationships with current and prospective supporters.
• Serve as staff liaison to the strategic planning and development committees in collaboration with the Executive Director.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or CFRE certification strongly preferred
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, with at least 5 years in a leadership or management role overseeing multiple fundraising functions
• Demonstrated development success in a culture of transformational change
• Proven leadership and team management skills, with demonstrated ability to motivate, mentor, and develop a high-performing team
• Track record of successfully securing significant grants and donations and achieving ambitious fundraising goals across diverse revenue streams
• Genuine enthusiasm for meeting personally with donors and requesting major and leadership gifts
• Knowledge of local financial resources and philanthropy
• Outstanding interpersonal, relational, and collaborative skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to adapt to the culture of the organization and staff while promoting positive change, and strong leadership skills
• Ability to work with a diverse constituency and people at all levels 
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines independently
• Proficient computer skills, including with Excel, Canva, Sales Force, and Classy; familiarity with Legal Server is a plus
• Prior experience working with lawyers and law firms is a plus

Salary and Benefits

• The salary for this senior leadership position with ten years of experience is $120,000. (The salary offered may increase or decrease depending on the actual, relevant experience of the selected candidate.)
• Generous fringe benefits, including 18 paid holidays in 2025, 6 weeks of paid time off (accruing at 2.5 days per month) in the first two years, and 6 weeks of parental leave (12 weeks after one year)
• Individual health insurance, including optional dental and vision coverage, with partial payment for dependent health insurance
• Life, long-term, and short-term disability insurance 
• Salary reduction option for a flexible spending account 
• Educational loan reimbursement up to $600 per month (after a set off of other loan reimbursement amounts)
• Voluntary tax-sheltered annuity with 3% match
• State Bar of Georgia dues and CLE expenses 
• This position may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Application Requirements

Submit a letter of interest, resume, recent writing sample (letter, memorandum, development plan, or relevant correspondence, official college transcript (a copy is acceptable pending your order of an official transcript), and the names, phone numbers and email addresses of three professional references (preferably individuals who have supervised or managed your work), identifying your connection with each, as one (1) PDF using our online application system at atlantalegalaid.org/jobs. 

Your application will be acknowledged. For assistance with technical difficulties in submitting your application, please email [email protected]. No phone calls, please.

ALAS considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected status.