Associate Director, Development and Major Gifts
Location: New York City (Chelsea area)
Reports to: Senior Finance Director
Salary range: $92,500-$108,000
(Starting salary will be dependent on candidates’ skill and experience and other internal factors.)
OUR STORY
The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies is a multidisciplinary organization committed to the enhancement of health and well-being by advancing the scientific understanding, assessment, prevention, and treatment of human problems through the global application of behavioral, cognitive, and biological evidence-based principles.
The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in all its activities, including employment. ABCT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or veteran status.
JOB SUMMARY
The Assoc. Director of Development sets and drives ABCT’s strategy to build and grow a sustainable, diversified donor base. Reporting to the Senior Finance Director and working closely with the CEO and the Senior Leadership Team, the Assoc. Director is accountable for revenue growth across recurring giving, corporate sponsorship, major gifts, and institutional partnerships.
This is both a strategic and a hands-on leadership role. The Assoc. Director designs the roadmap, beginning with the launch of a membership-based monthly sustainer program, while personally cultivating and soliciting major donors and corporate partners. The Assoc. Director serves as a primary staff liaison to the Fundraising and Development Committee (FDC), and builds the development infrastructure (systems, data, processes, and reporting) needed to grow annual giving year over year.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy and Leadership
· Development strategy and multi-year roadmap for growing ABCT’s donor base
· Identify new fundraising opportunities.
· Report progress, forecasts, and outcomes to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Board of Directors.
Recurring Giving and Membership Sustainer Program
· Direct the launch and scaling of a membership-based monthly sustainer program as the foundation of a growing recurring-revenue base.
· Set conversion and retention targets; oversee the acquisition, onboarding, upgrade, and recovery strategy executed by the team.
· Integrate sustainer giving with membership renewals and the broader member value proposition.
Corporate Sponsorship and Partnerships
· Grow corporate sponsorship at the annual convention and expand it into year-round partnerships, content, and program underwriting.
· Set sponsorship strategy, pricing, and renewal targets; personally cultivate and close priority corporate relationships.
· Ensure strong sponsor stewardship and ROI reporting to drive multi-year and upgraded commitments.
Major Donors and Individual Giving
· Build and manage a major-gifts program – identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors among members, past presidents, and the allied Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) community.
· Carry a personal portfolio of top prospects and donors; develop proposals and lead solicitations.
· Prepare and support the CEO, board members, and volunteers for cultivation and asks.
Fundraising and Development Committee (FDC)
· Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Fundraising and Development Committee (FDC).
· Partner strategically with the FDC to mobilize member and volunteer networks that open doors to donors, sponsors, and institutional partners.
· Build and steward relationships with foundations, private charities, and other grant-making or partnering entities to expand and open doors for ABCT.
· Oversee grant strategy and the grants calendar (proposals, compliance, reporting) in coordination with program and finance staff.
Operations and Budget
· Develop and manage the development/fundraising budget; ensure accurate gift processing and reporting.
· Establish development systems, data standards, segmentation, and a moves-management discipline in the CRM.
· Build a comprehensive stewardship and donor-communications program (acknowledgments, impact reports, recognition).
COMPETENCIES/SKILLS
· Strategic and operational – able to set a vision and execute it.
· Proven major-gift and sponsorship solicitation and closing ability.
· Strong people leadership with ability to coach and develop staff and engage volunteers and board.
· Excellent written and verbal communication, including proposals, cases for support, and presentations.
· Analytical, data-driven and fluency in fundraising KPIs and pipeline management.
· Deep knowledge of fundraising best practices, ethics, and stewardship.
· Proficiency with fundraising/CRM software and Microsoft Office Suite.
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
· Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or fundraising credential (e.g., CFRE) a plus.
· Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive development/fundraising experience, with at least three (3) years in a management or leadership role.
· Proven track record growing a donor base and securing gifts across multiple channels — e.g., recurring/annual giving, corporate sponsorship, and major gifts.
· Experience in an association, membership, or member-based nonprofit strongly preferred.
· Demonstrated success building development infrastructure and managing budgets, strategies, and teams.
TO APPLY
Send your resume and cover letter expressing interest in this employment opportunity to Kelli Long at [email protected]. Please include “Associate Director, Development and Major Gifts" in the subject line.
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday (in office), with at least one day remote
- Travel to ABCT annual convention and other business-related events (2-3 times per year)
Benefits
· Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
· Employer-paid life and disability insurance for added financial security
· Generous vacation and PTO package
· Generous parental leave to support growing families
· 403(b) retirement savings plan to help you prepare for the future (4% non-elective employer contribution, after qualifying)
· Professional development opportunities, training, and continuing education support
· Early summer hours (select days), and staff wellness activities to promote work-life balance
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) POLICY STATEMENT
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principal at ABCT, where employment is based upon employees’ qualifications without discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $92,500.00 - $108,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- New York, NY 10001 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- New York, NY 10001: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
