The Senior Director of Philanthropic Programs will guide the UUA’s long‑term revenue strategy across major gifts, planned giving, congregational giving, and grants. This leader will shape a cohesive philanthropic vision, strengthen donor engagement, and build the systems and team capacity needed to support sustainable growth. Location is open in the continental United States. You should have easy access to a major airport due to the occasional travel requirements of this position.

Key areas of responsibility include:

Strategic & Revenue Leadership

Design and implement a multi‑year fundraising strategy across major gifts, planned giving, congregational giving, and grants.
Set annual benchmarks and drive progress toward long‑term revenue goals.
Integrate major, principal, planned, and leadership giving into a unified philanthropic approach.
Oversee pipeline development, forecasting, and reporting in partnership with Development Operations.
Manage a personal portfolio of up to 10 leadership‑tier donors.
Expand the UUA’s emerging grant‑writing program.
Brief senior leadership on donor trends, projections, and opportunities.

Team Leadership

Supervise and support three fundraising professionals:
Associate Director of Planned Giving
Associate Director of Major Gifts
Congregational Giving Administrative Director
Set clear expectations, conduct performance reviews, and invest in staff development.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture rooted in UUA values and fundraising best practices.

Cross‑Functional Partnership

Collaborate with Stewardship & Development colleagues to align giving, stewardship, and donor communications.
Partner with program and communications teams to strengthen the case for support and impact storytelling.
Represent the UUA with donors, prospects, and external partners.
Perform additional duties as requested by senior leadership.

Qualifications

We’re looking for candidates with:

10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, including 5+ years leading major or principal gifts programs.
Demonstrated success designing and executing multi‑year fundraising strategies.
Experience supervising and developing fundraising professionals.
Strong analytical, planning, and project management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
Proficiency with donor management systems and comfort with data‑driven decision‑making.
Ability to build trust with donors, staff, and partners.
Experience in a mission‑driven, values‑based, or faith‑based organization.
Familiarity with planned giving strategies and blended gift approaches.
Knowledge of Unitarian Universalist principles and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti‑racism.
Understanding of anti‑oppression and multicultural frameworks; lived or professional experience with BIPOC communities is especially valued.
Willingness to travel occasionally and support some evening/weekend donor activities.

About the UUA

The Unitarian Universalist Association is a progressive religious denomination headquartered in Boston’s Fort Point Innovation District. Our network of 1,000+ congregations advances a vision of religious freedom, inclusion, and social justice. We offer:

A 35‑hour workweek
80% employer‑paid health insurance
10% retirement contribution after one year
Generous paid time off
A collaborative, mission‑aligned workplace committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion

The UUA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to full inclusion of all. We provide reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process and employment.

Our Commitment to Equity & Inclusion

We strongly encourage applications from:

People with disabilities
People of color
Indigenous and Native candidates
Hispanic/Latinx candidates
LGBTQ+ candidates

If you’re excited about this role but unsure whether you meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply or inquire. Our work is grounded in the Unitarian Universalist principles, including the inherent worth and dignity of every person, justice and compassion in human relations, and the interdependent web of existence. We actively work to counter white supremacy, patriarchy, colonialism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and other systems of oppression.

How to Apply

Submit your resume and cover letter via our applicant portal at uua.org/jobs. Questions? Contact careers@uua.org.

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Senior Director of Philanthropic Programs

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