America’s First. Philadelphia’s Forever. The Next Chapter Starts Here.
Founded in 1874, Morris Animal Refuge has been changing the lives of animals and the people who love them for more than 150 years. As one of the nation’s oldest and most respected animal welfare organizations, Morris has remained a steadfast force for compassion, innovation, and lifesaving impact throughout its history.
Today, we are building on that remarkable legacy during an exciting period of growth and opportunity. With a lifesaving save rate exceeding 98%, more than 1,000 animals finding loving homes each year, a dedicated and growing donor community, and ambitious plans for the future, Morris Animal Refuge is poised to expand its impact across Philadelphia and beyond.
The Director of Development & Marketing will play a central role in shaping that future. As a key member of the leadership team, this individual will lead fundraising, marketing, communications, donor engagement, and strategic growth initiatives that advance our mission and strengthen the foundation of our organization. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help shape the future of Morris Animal Refuge as we expand philanthropic support, deepen community engagement, and build the foundation for our next generation of
lifesaving impact.
This is a rare opportunity for a dynamic, entrepreneurial leader to join a historic organization with a powerful mission, an engaged Board of Directors, a passionate staff, and a community of supporters who believe every animal deserves a second chance. If you are energized by building relationships, inspiring philanthropy, and creating meaningful change, we invite you to help write the next chapter of Morris Animal Refuge’s story.
THE POSITION
The Director of Development & Marketing provides strategic leadership for all fundraising, marketing, communications, and development operations at Morris Animal Refuge. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role is responsible for driving revenue growth, strengthening donor and community engagement, and ensuring consistent, mission-aligned messaging across all external-facing platforms. The Director serves as a member of the leadership team and supervises two direct reports, providing direction, mentorship, and accountability across the department.
This position plays a central role in advancing the organization’s mission by developing and executing integrated strategies that elevate philanthropic support, expand public awareness, and strengthen organizational sustainability.
LEADERSHIP & STRATEGIC PLANNING
● Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy, annual planning, and long-term goal setting.
● Translate organizational priorities into actionable development and marketing strategies that advance revenue growth and mission impact.
● Act as a senior ambassador for Morris Animal Refuge, representing the organization to donors, foundations, corporate partners, and community stakeholders.
● Collaborate across departments to align fundraising, marketing, and programmatic needs with organizational objectives.
● Use data, trends, and performance analysis to inform strategic decision-making and optimize outcomes.
● Engage with the Board of Directors by presenting a development update at least one board meeting a year.
FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
● Lead the organization’s comprehensive fundraising strategy across individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation support, campaigns, events, and in-kind revenue streams.
● Cultivate, steward, and grow relationships with donors and funding partners to strengthen long-term philanthropic engagement and revenue growth.
● Design and execute annual and multi-channel fundraising initiatives, including Giving Tuesday, year-end campaigns, recurring giving programs, and capital campaign efforts.
● Identify and develop new revenue opportunities and data-informed strategies to expand donor participation and increase fundraising performance.
● Oversee development operations, including donor database management, gift processing, reporting, and stewardship systems to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and retention.
● Coordinate with campaign consultants in the quiet phase of a potential capital campaign
GRANTS & INSTITUTIONAL GIVING
● Identify, evaluate, and pursue foundation and institutional funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
● Own the full grant process, including identifying funding opportunities, writing and submitting proposals, and completing all required reporting and compliance.
● Maintain and strengthen relationships with funders through ongoing communication, stewardship, and reporting.
● Collaborate with internal teams to ensure funding proposals accurately reflect programmatic needs and organizational impact.
FUR BALL
● Lead overall strategy, planning, and execution of the annual Fur Ball gala as the organization’s signature fundraising event.
● Manage event consultant, venue coordination, sponsorship development, and event logistics.
● Partner with leadership and volunteers to grow sponsorship revenue and enhance event experience.
● Oversee event marketing, materials, timelines, budgets, and revenue tracking to ensure successful outcomes.
MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS & BRAND MANAGEMENT
● Direct the organization’s marketing and communications strategy to strengthen brand awareness, donor engagement, and community visibility.
● Ensure consistency of messaging and visual identity across all platforms, materials, and campaigns.
● Oversee digital and print communications, including email campaigns, social content strategy, and public-facing materials.
● Guide the development of marketing campaigns that support fundraising initiatives, adoption programs, and organizational priorities.
● Determine and oversee the use of paid advertising and promotional strategies when appropriate.
WEBSITE & DIGITAL PLATFORMS
● Serve as the primary administrator and strategic owner of the organization’s website.
● Oversee all website content updates, homepage management, campaign landing pages, and structural improvements.
● Ensure the website remains current, accessible, brand-aligned, and optimized for donor engagement and conversion.
● Manage digital fundraising infrastructure, including donation pages, online campaigns, and integrated platforms.
DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS & CRM MANAGEMENT
● Oversee the organization’s donor database (CRM), ensuring accurate data entry, segmentation, reporting, and maintenance.
● Lead systems for gift processing, acknowledgments, and donor communications to ensure timely and accurate stewardship.
● Produce regular fundraising dashboards, board reports, and financial summaries to track performance and inform leadership.
● Maintain data integrity and ensure efficient workflows across development operations.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & REPORTING
● Develop and manage the annual development and marketing budget in collaboration with the Executive Director.
● Monitor revenue performance against goals and adjust strategies as needed to meet or exceed targets.
● Support audit preparation, financial reporting, and reconciliation of donations and fundraising activity.
● Ensure timely deposit and recording of all gifts and contributions.
COMMITTEES & EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT
● Participate in board-led committees, including External Affairs, contributing to planning and execution of committee initiatives.
● Engage with the 1874 Society and other donor or stakeholder groups as needed to support cultivation and stewardship efforts.
● Represent the organization in community partnerships, media opportunities, and public facing engagements.
MANAGEMENT & TEAM LEADERSHIP
● Supervise, support, and develop members of the Development & Marketing team.
● Provide clear direction, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.
● Support hiring, onboarding, performance evaluation, and team restructuring as needed.
● Foster a collaborative, accountable, and mission-driven team culture.
QUALIFICATIONS (REQUIRED)
● Passion for the mission of Morris Animal Refuge and the ability to clearly and persuasively communicate its impact.
● Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications or a related field
● Demonstrated experience building and sustaining strong relationships with board members, donors, staff, and external partners.
● Strong strategic thinking, creativity, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
● Proven ability to solve problems using sound judgment, collaboration, and adaptive leadership approaches.
● Self-directed and highly motivated, with the ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.
● Experience managing, mentoring, and developing staff or volunteers in a professional setting.
● Strong public speaking, presentation, and written communication skills, including experience representing an organization to external audiences.
● Ability to navigate sensitive or high-pressure situations with professionalism, tact, and emotional intelligence.
● Proficiency with standard office and fundraising tools, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and CRM/email marketing platforms such as Bloomerang and Constant Contact.
QUALIFICATIONS (PREFERRED)
● MBA or similar graduate level degree.
● Leadership experience with major fundraising initiatives/campaigns
● Management experience in the Animal Welfare Field.
POSITION DETAILS
Full-time (37.5 hours/week). Standard schedule is Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, with occasional evenings or weekends required for events and organizational needs. Hybrid Work Schedule with up to 2 days WFH. Salary commensurate with experience.
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR
Executive Director
HOURS FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt Position
Full-time position requires a minimum of seven and a half (7.5) hours per day, thirty seven and a half (37.5) hours per week. Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule includes days, nights, weekends, holidays, overnight, and on-call work.
INTRODUCTORY ASSESSMENT PERIOD
The introductory assessment period runs from the date of hire for three months thereafter. For employment in any position with Morris Animal Refuge, this introductory assessment period is the period during which the specifics of the job are learned. During this period, either the employee or Morris Animal Refuge may end the employment relationship without notice or prejudice.
EMPLOYMENT
There is no minimum period of employment guaranteed or implied by acceptance of an employment offer. It is the policy of Morris Animal Refuge that even exempt positions are governed by the needs of the agency, which means that employment is for no specified term and either Morris Animal Refuge or the employee, may terminate that employment at any time. The Executive Director has final authority over these decisions and determinations.
Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Morris Animal Refuge. Morris Animal Refuge is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status or domestic partner status.
Interested candidates should submit their resume along with a cover letter to Lewis Checchia, Executive Director, email: Lchecchia@morrisanimalrefuge.org