Director of Development & Strategic Partnership

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Director of Development & Strategic Partnership serves as the senior professional responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive national fundraising and revenue development program in support of The American Legion’s mission, programs, and long-term financial sustainability.

This position provides strategic leadership over corporate development, major gifts, planned giving, direct response fundraising, event sponsorship, and advertising revenue, while working collaboratively within The American Legion’s federated structure, including National Headquarters, Departments, Posts, affiliated organizations, and volunteer leadership.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

National Development Strategy & Governance Support

• Develop and execute a national, integrated development strategy aligned with The American Legion’s strategic plan, resolutions, and financial objectives.
• Establish annual and multi-year revenue targets across all fundraising and earned revenue channels.
• Prepare regular reports, dashboards, and forecasts for National Officers and relevant commissions or committees.
• Ensure compliance with IRS regulations, donor intent, internal controls, and nationally recognized fundraising ethics.

Corporate Development, Sponsorship & Strategic Partnerships

• Lead national corporate development efforts, securing philanthropic support, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships consistent with The American Legion’s brand and values.
• Design and manage sponsorship and advertising opportunities tied to national programs, conventions, publications, digital platforms, and events.
• Coordinate corporate relationships to avoid conflicts with department or post level partnerships.

Major Gifts & Leadership Giving

• Design and manage a national major gifts program, including prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Personally manage a portfolio of high-capacity individual donors, foundations, and Legion supporters.
• Partner with National Officers, NEC members, Past National Commanders, and senior volunteers in peer-to-peer cultivation and solicitation.

Planned Giving & Legacy Programs

• Build and expand a national planned giving and legacy society, supporting bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, and other deferred gifts.
• Develop donor education materials tailored to veterans, families, and long-term supporters.
• Coordinate with legal, finance, and compliance teams to ensure proper administration and stewardship of planned gifts.

Direct Response & Digital Fundraising

• Oversee national direct response fundraising efforts, including mail, email, digital campaigns, and integrated donor acquisition and retention programs.
• Analyze performance metrics to improve response rates, donor retention, and lifetime donor value.
• Ensure messaging reflects The American Legion’s mission, brand standards, and resolutions.

Events, Advertising & Earned Revenue

• Provide strategic oversight of national fundraising events, conventions, and special initiatives with a focus on sponsorship and net revenue performance.
• Manage national advertising revenue opportunities across print, digital, broadcast, and event-related platforms.
• Evaluate return on investment (ROI) and recommend adjustments to maximize mission impact and financial sustainability.

Leadership, Collaboration & Federation Alignment

• Recruit, manage, and mentor national development staff and external consultants.
• Coordinate closely with finance, marketing, communications, convention, membership, programs, and affiliated organizations (e.g., American Legion Charities, Inc., American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation and American Legion Child Well-Being Foundation) where appropriate.
• Provide guidance, tools, and best practices to departments and posts, while respecting local autonomy.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP (reports directly to): National Treasurer

MINIMUM SKILLS REQUIRED FOR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Education/Technical Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, public administration, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) or comparable credential.

Additional Skills Needed:

• Demonstrated success managing diversified revenue portfolios and large-scale donor relationships.
• Strong understanding of planned giving vehicles and charitable gift compliance.
• Exceptional communication, diplomacy, and relationship management skills.
• Experience working effectively with volunteer led governance structures.
• Prior experience with veteran service organizations, associations, or congressionally chartered organizations.
• Familiarity with donor management systems, fundraising analytics, and national nonprofit financial reporting.
• Commitment to the values and mission of The American Legion.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive fundraising leadership experience, including major gifts and corporate development at a national or multi-state level.
• Experience in an association organization or federated organization is strongly preferred.