Senior Director of Development

Sorrell is proud to partner with Dress for Success Houston (DFSH) in its search for a new Senior Director of Development. Dress for Success Houston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help them thrive in work and in life. Since its inception in 1998, the organization has served more than 48,000 women across the Greater Houston region through career services, education, and professional development programs.Under the leadership of its President since 2019, DFSH has expanded its reach and impact through strategic investments in technology, the rapid deployment of virtual programming, and the continued evolution of its workforce development offerings. With the current operating budget at approximately $5 million, the organization is now entering a new phase of growth, with plans to significantly scale its development program"”from approximately $3-3.5 million annually today to as much as $6-7 million over the next five years.The Development Department plays a vital role in advancing DFSH's mission by generating the philanthropic support necessary to sustain and expand its programs. Revenue is derived from a diverse mix of individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, and a robust calendar of fundraising events. DFSH benefits from an engaged Board of Directors, Advisory Council, and Corporate Guild, all of which contribute to fundraising efforts and community visibility.DFSH offers a collaborative, mission-driven, and team-oriented culture. With a staff of approximately 22 full-time and 7 part-time employees, the organization has built a strong internal culture rooted in shared purpose, cross-functional collaboration, and a deep connection to the women it serves.For more information on Dress for Success Houston and its impactful work in the community, please visit Position Overview Reporting to the President and working closely with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team, the Senior Director of Development will advance a comprehensive and scalable philanthropic development program to support DFSH's near- and long-term goals. Currently reporting directly to this position are the Development Manager, Events and Development Manager, Development Coordinator, and Marketing and Communications contract support.As a member of the leadership team, this individual will provide strategic direction and hands-on leadership across all areas of fundraising, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation support, and events. The Senior Director will be responsible for driving revenue growth, strengthening donor engagement, and building the internal capacity necessary to support the organization's continued expansion.This individual will also play a key role in strengthening the internal development infrastructure"”enhancing systems, processes, and team coordination to ensure the organization is well-positioned to support its continued growth.This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of DFSH's fundraising strategy, partner closely with an engaged President and Board, and build a high-performing development function that advances economic opportunity for women across the Houston region.Highlights of the Senior Director of Development's Responsibilities Strategy, Vision, and LeadershipThe Senior Director of Development will serve as a key member of the leadership team and an active participant in organizational strategy and decision-making.Specific responsibilities include:Developing and implementing annual and multi-year fundraising strategies aligned with DFSH's growth trajectory and strategic prioritiesPartnering closely with the President to align development initiatives with organizational goals and mission impactPartnering closely with the President on key donor relationships while helping to expand broader team capacity for sustained donor engagementProviding leadership in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic supportLeading, managing, and mentoring a development team of four, with responsibility for building additional capacity over timeFund Development and Revenue GrowthDirecting efforts to grow and diversify philanthropic revenue from individuals, corporations, and foundationsManaging a personal portfolio of major donors and corporate partners, with a focus on securing transformational giftsExpanding individual giving as a key area of opportunity, building on the organization's strong base of corporate and foundation supportExpanding individual giving as a key area of opportunity for growthStrengthening corporate partnerships and sponsorship strategiesIdentifying and pursuing new funding opportunities that support DFSH's mission and long-term sustainabilityEvent Fundraising and Donor EngagementProviding strategic oversight of DFSH's extensive calendar of 30+ annual events, including approximately 10 major fundraising eventsEnsuring that events effectively support revenue generation, donor cultivation, and mission visibilityEnsuring events are aligned with broader fundraising strategy and contribute to long-term donor engagement and relationship developmentPartnering with volunteer leaders, event chairs, and sponsors to enhance engagement and fundraising outcomesDeveloping meaningful donor experiences that strengthen long-term relationshipsBoard and Volunteer EngagementSupporting the Board of Directors and Advisory Council in their fundraising and ambassador rolesEquipping board members with the tools and strategies needed to cultivate and solicit donorsLeveraging DFSH's Corporate Guild and volunteer network to expand reach and engagementParticipating in board meetings and providing regular updates on fundraising performance and strategyDevelopment Operations and InfrastructureOverseeing development operations, including donor stewardship, grants, and reportingUtilizing Salesforce and other tools to track performance, manage donor pipelines, and inform strategyManaging the development budget and ensuring strong return on investment across initiativesBuilding systems, processes, and reporting capabilities that support scalability and long-term growthEssential Skills and Experience The ideal candidate will be an experienced development professional with a strong track record of fundraising success and the ability to build and sustain meaningful relationships.Qualifications include:Seven or more years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, or institutional givingDemonstrated success securing significant philanthropic supportExperience with fundraising campaigns or organizational growth initiatives preferredStrong relationship-building and donor cultivation skillsExperience managing teams and collaborating across departmentsExperience working with boards and volunteer leadershipProficiency with Salesforce or similar CRM systemsBachelor's degree required; CFRE or similar credential a plusDesired Personal Attributes Visionary and strategic thinker with the ability to translate ideas into actionable plansHighly relational, with strong emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust across diverse stakeholdersCollaborative leader who thrives in a team-oriented, highly relational, mission driven environment where success is achieved through shared ownership and partnershipEntrepreneurial and growth-oriented, with the ability to scale programs and infrastructureHands-on and adaptable, comfortable operating in both strategic and executional capacitiesDeeply committed to DFSH's mission and the women it servesCompensation Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, with an anticipated salary range of $150,000-$170,000 along with a comprehensive benefits package.Application and Referral Process Applicant review is currently underway and will continue until the candidate has been selected. To nominate or be considered for this position, please contact Priscilla Plumb at priscilla@ / 281.224.0881 or Stacie Gaff at stacie@ / 832.594.1925. All inquiries will be held in confidence.About Sorrell Sorrell is a highly relational provider of executive recruiting. Our mission is to serve as partners with our clients to accelerate their efforts to attract, hire and retain talent that impacts the future of the organization.

Created: 2026-05-08