DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Job Description

Job Description

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Ohio

Who We Are and What We Believe:

Founded in 1997, Bottom Line is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization with a mission to partner with degree-aspiring students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds as they get into college, graduate, and launch meaningful careers. For over two decades, Bottom Line has provided consistent, one-on-one support to help students navigate the challenges of accessing and succeeding in college.

Today, we proudly serve over 7,000 students through our three core programs—College Access, College Success, and Bluprint—across regional offices in Massachusetts, New York City, Chicago, Ohio, Detroit, and soon, Houston. Our vision is to create a far-reaching ripple effect, launched by the transformative power of a college degree and a mobilizing first career, that uplifts individuals, families, and entire communities.

When you join Bottom Line, you will become a part of a team that combines passion with expertise to advance equity and opportunity for degree-aspiring students. In our dynamic, results-driven environment, your contributions will help shape brighter futures and stronger communities.

What You Will Do:

The Director of Development & External Affairs will lead Bottom Line Ohio’s fundraising strategy and support external affairs work that advances the region’s goals. In partnership with the Executive Director, you will strengthen and diversify philanthropic support, help shape and implement the local external affairs strategy, and ensure Bottom Line Ohio maintains strong funding, brand recognition and market positioning.

As a frontline fundraiser, you will manage a diverse portfolio of donors and prospects with the aim to continue growing revenue across the region. You will support the Executive Director with top-tier donors and partner with key connectors, including the Regional Advisory Board, to deepen relationships, expand Bottom Line’s network, and strengthen visibility. You will also manage one direct report who supports operations and grant writing and work closely with the national Development Operations team.

The ideal candidate brings strong relationship instincts, comfort and skill in managing a fundraising pipeline, and the energy and drive to grow the donor base and expand the set of champions for Bottom Line in Ohio. You will bring a strategic, growth-oriented mindset, be able to refine strategy based on data and results and be a skilled communicator and storyteller.

Primary Responsibilities:

Fundraising & External Affairs Strategy and Planning

• Partner with the Executive Director to develop and implement a fundraising and external affairs strategy that grows revenue, diversifies funding, and strengthens Bottom Line Ohio’s market position.
• Set annual fundraising and external affairs priorities, targets, and plans across revenue, community engagement, and market visibility.
• Help ensure Bottom Line Ohio maintains strong brand recognition and market visibility in support of local priorities.
• Manage the path and progress toward fundraising goals using provided data and reporting tools to inform strategy and drive continuous improvement.
• Conduct prospect research and identify new funding opportunities to build and expand the donor base.
• Leverage Bottom Line’s signature major gifts program DEAL-Makers to build a local community of individual donors at the $5,000+ level.

Donor & Portfolio Management

• Spend significant time cultivating prospective major donors (5,000+) to grow the region’s philanthropic support.
• Identify, engage, solicit and steward a portfolio of donors and prospects.
• Partner with and support the Executive Director in managing top-tier donor relationships and strategies.
• Create and manage a donor experience calendar of events, communications, and engagement opportunities for the Ohio portfolio.
• Represent Bottom Line at relevant events and engage in public issues that help increase visibility around Bottom Line's mission.
• Partner with the central grants team on strategy and execution of grants, including providing regional context, drafting assigned grants, and supporting review of submissions.
• Use Salesforce to manage the donor pipeline, track activity, and capture institutional knowledge

Connector Engagement & Advisory Board Support

• Partner with the Executive Director to engage key connectors, including board members, champion donors, event hosts, public funding contacts, and other priority external affairs contacts, to grow the donor pipeline and strengthen market presence.
• Support management and continued expansion of the Regional Advisory Board, including meeting preparation, strategy development, and follow-through on action plans.

Cross Functional & Culture Leadership

• Serve as a member of the regional leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and regional decision-making.
• Partner with program leadership to align messaging, elevate student stories, and connect fundraising and external affairs efforts to program outcomes.
• Collaborate with the National Development Operations team to align strategy, support execution, and uphold organizational systems and processes.
• Contribute to the Bottom Line development community across regions and national teams by sharing learnings, aligning practices, and supporting collective growth.
• Model inclusive, equity-driven fundraising practices and contribute to a culture of belonging and shared ownership.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without advanced notice.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday 9a – 5p or 10a – 6p (local time), flexibility may be requested; Additional hours as needed

Direct Reports:

1 direct report who supports operations and grant writing.

Expected Travel:

20% - local travel as needed

Who Should Apply:

If you meet the qualifications below, you should apply.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent
• Minimum 5-8 years of development experience with a track record of growing a fundraising pipeline.
• Demonstrated success managing all aspects of the donor lifecycle and strong familiarity with major gifts fundraising
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to engage, influence, and steward a wide range of stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and initiative, especially in identifying and cultivating new stakeholders and opportunities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for donors, public audiences, and internal stakeholders.
• Comfort representing the organization externally and translating strategy, impact, and priorities into clear, compelling communications.
• Excellent organizational skills, with experience working in data-driven and process-driven organizations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams and leverage available resources and supports.
• Demonstrated commitment to Bottom Line’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values

Preferred:

• External relations, marketing or communications experience
• Experience working within a matrixed or multi-site organization.
• Familiarity with regional educational and nonprofit landscape a plus.

How To Apply/Application Deadline:

All applications must be submitted via Bottom Line’s Career Page.

Please share your resume and cover letter.

The application deadline is June 22, 2026.

Start Date:

July/August 2026

Compensation:

$110,000 - 111,000

Benefits:

Learn about our benefits here.