Development Director

Roles and Responsibilities

Development Management

• Lead and execute Level Ground’s overall fundraising and development strategy, with a strong emphasis on long-term sustainability and growth
• Support and help shape long-term fundraising initiatives, including a potential capital campaign
• Support the development strategy and fundraising plan by defining objectives, setting targets, and creating tools to track progress and performance
• Help steward existing donor relationships and support cultivation of new donor prospects
• Coordinate donor and prospect correspondence, including customized cultivation materials (mailings, supplemental thank-you letters, reports, etc.)
• Support the Administrative Coordinator in enhancing and maintaining the donor database, and provide oversight of donation processing, acknowledgment, and reporting
• Support major fundraising efforts from start to finish, including annual appeals and special campaigns
• Coordinate closely with Program Staff and youth to ensure data, storytelling, and messaging meaningfully and authentically represent Level Ground’s work and the young people we serve

Grants Management

• Steward and strengthen current foundation relationships while identifying and securing new public and private funding sources
• Broaden Level Ground’s corporate fundraising partnerships
• Oversee all grant efforts, including partnership with Level Ground’s grants consulting firm, strategy, compliance, and research, writing, and submission as needed
• Write and submit grant reports

Events & Special Campaigns

• Plan, manage, and execute special events and fundraising initiatives
• Oversee event logistics, budgets, timelines, and post-event follow-up
• Identify opportunities for new fundraising events and donor engagement experiences

Marketing, Social Media & Awareness

• Develop and grow Level Ground’s social media presence and digital platforms
• Create or oversee content that tells compelling stories about Level Ground’s mission, impact, and programs
• Ensure consistent branding, messaging, and tone across all public-facing channels

Public Relations & Networking

• Raise awareness of Level Ground through networking, partnerships, and community engagement
• Represent Level Ground at events, meetings, and public forums
  Build relationships with community leaders, organizations, and potential collaborators
• Support media outreach, speaking opportunities, and other PR efforts

Financial Management & Compliance

• Assist in the development and monitoring of annual budgets to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and strategic goals
• Collaborate with the accountant to prepare monthly and quarterly financial statements
• Work with the external auditor to facilitate annual audits
• Monitor grant and funding allocations to ensure accurate documentation, reporting, and compliance with funder requirements

Organizational Compliance

• Help maintain all essential organizational documents, including bylaws, policies, and operational records that relate to development and grants management
• Provide support to ensure all necessary licences and insurance policies remain current and in compliance with legal requirements

Leadership & Board Support

• Assist in strategic planning efforts by gathering data and supporting leadership decision-making
• Provide development and financial updates to the Board of Directors, working in close partnership with the Board’s Development Chair and Treasurer

Qualifications and Skills

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• 3-5 years of experience in research, grant writing, development, or educational equivalent
• Excellent organizational and management skills, with ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously
• Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication, including excellent writing and editing ability
• Knowledge of and experience building strong relationships with Boston’s nonprofit, philanthropy, and social enterprise sectors.
• Proficient computer skills, including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, knowledge of customer relations software
• Ability to develop and administer budgets
• Experience with youth development programs, including leveraging qualitative and quantitative data for grant-writing purposes
• Values youth athletics as a pathway and powerful driver of successful outcomes for youth
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• Values youth development beyond traditional educational pipelines [i.e. alternatives to four-year college]
• Values building and maintaining relationships with urban youth and youths of color
• Enthusiasm and current practice in sports, athletics and/or fitness
• Passionate, committed, flexible, adaptive, and fun to be around

Salary and Benefits

Benefits include health insurance reimbursement of up to federally-allowable threshold under QSEHRA guidelines, employer-sponsored 401(k) with 4% match, professional development fund, 21 days of paid time off (PTO) annually, and unlimited sick days.

Level Ground Mixed Martial Arts is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, or Vietnam era, or other eligible veteran status, or any other protected factor.