Job Description:
Job Title: Senior Director of Philanthropy
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Department: FDN
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Summary:
Are you a strategic fundraising leader passionate about transforming lives through philanthropy? Join our compassionate, collaborative team as a Senior Director of Philanthropy and help advance a mission dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. This is an exciting opportunity to lead regional fundraising efforts, build meaningful relationships with generous supporters, inspire a high-performing team, influence organizational growth, and make a lasting impact through mission-driven work. We are seeking a relationship-focused, results-oriented leader with exceptional communication skills, strategic vision, and a passion for connecting donor generosity with meaningful outcomes.
The Senior Director of Philanthropy serves as the primary fundraising leader for the assigned region and is responsible for advancing organizational priorities through strategic philanthropy, donor engagement, and team leadership. This role oversees all aspects of regional fundraising, including major gifts, corporate and foundation partnerships, annual giving initiatives, donor stewardship, campaigns, and special events. The Senior Director manages a portfolio of major donors and prospects while partnering closely with executives, program leaders, board members, and Foundation colleagues to identify funding opportunities, develop philanthropic strategies, and foster a culture of giving throughout the organization.
Saint Louis offers a vibrant blend of culture, history, affordability, and community spirit. With world-class attractions, thriving neighborhoods, outstanding parks, and a strong philanthropic community, Saint Louis provides an excellent environment for professionals seeking meaningful work while enjoying a high quality of life.
This position offers…
· Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost
· Mileage Reimbursement – Company paid for work functions requiring travel
· Employee Discounts – Hotels, Theme Parks & Attractions, College Tuition
· Workplace Culture - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting a healthy, joyful workforce
· Additional Perks & Benefits - Scroll down to bottom of this post to learn more
Key Responsibilities:
· Lead and execute a comprehensive regional fundraising strategy that supports organizational priorities and fundraising goals exceeding $1 million annually
· Cultivate, solicit, secure, and steward major gifts from individual, corporate, and foundation donors with giving capacity of $20,000 or more
· Build and manage a portfolio of approximately 75-100 donors and prospects while developing personalized engagement strategies for each relationship
· Partner with regional executives, program leaders, board members, and community advocates to identify funding priorities and create compelling opportunities for philanthropic investment
· Develop and implement annual fundraising plans that include major gifts, annual giving efforts, corporate sponsorships, campaigns, and special events
· Lead, coach, and support regional fundraising staff, fostering professional growth and accountability for portfolio and revenue performance
· Leverage community relationships and strategic partnerships to expand donor pipelines and increase philanthropic support
· Collaborate with communications and marketing teams to share impactful donor stories and strengthen fundraising messaging
· Coordinate planned giving initiatives in partnership with Foundation leadership and legal counsel
· Ensure meaningful donor recognition, stewardship, reporting, and engagement activities that strengthen long-term relationships
· Prepare and oversee fundraising proposals, donor communications, presentations, and stewardship materials
· Manage regional fundraising budgets and monitor progress toward fundraising objectives
· Maintain accurate donor records, prospect activity, and fundraising data within the CRM system
· Contribute to organizational reporting, business reviews, campaign planning, and board presentations
· Uphold ethical fundraising standards and maintain confidentiality of donor information
Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree required
· Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive fundraising experience in a nonprofit or healthcare environment
· Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and securing major gifts
· Experience managing comprehensive fundraising programs, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate giving, foundation relations, campaigns, and donor stewardship
· Prior experience supervising, mentoring, or leading development professionals
· Experience with donor database and CRM management
· Experience with planned giving, annual giving, and/or capital campaigns preferred
Additional Qualifications:
· Strong knowledge of fundraising principles, donor lifecycle strategies, and moves management practices
· Exceptional communication, interpersonal, presentation, and relationship-building skills
· Ability to engage effectively with executives, board members, community leaders, and high-net-worth individuals
· Skilled at translating programmatic needs into compelling donor-centered messaging and funding opportunities
· Strategic, proactive, and highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
· Strong attention to detail and commitment to donor confidentiality and data accuracy
· Passion for behavioral health, health equity, and mission-driven work
· Valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and proof of insurance required
· Ability to travel throughout the assigned region and occasionally out of state
Physical Requirements
· Work may be performed in office, clinical, residential, and community-based environments depending on assignment
· Frequently use computers, office equipment, and electronic systems
· Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work may be required
· May occasionally work evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended hours to support fundraising events, donor engagement activities, and organizational needs
· Perform sedentary work involving exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and negligible force frequently to move objects
· Ability to travel regularly within the assigned region and occasionally outside the region
· Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position


Position Perks & Benefits:
Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life
Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more
Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive
Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within
Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness.


Brightli is on a Mission:
A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.
As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Burrell Behavioral Health is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.
Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site
