Managing Director

About Us

Orr Group is a strategic partner to nonprofit organizations, helping them solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Through our embedded partnership model, we go beyond traditional consulting - providing hands-on leadership, expertise, and execution to drive transformative fundraising and organizational growth. For over 30 years, we have collaborated with mission-driven organizations to design and implement innovative fundraising strategies, grow revenue, and build capacity to ensure long-term success. Our work spans campaign management, major gifts strategy, board development, planned giving, talent management, and beyond. We remain nimble, forward-thinking, and results-driven, helping our clients navigate an ever-evolving philanthropic landscape.

Orr Groups has offices based in Washington, DC, New York City, and Chicago, and will consider candidates nationwide. Washington, New York, and Chicago represent the firm’s primary client relationships and greatest near-term opportunities. Candidates in other major markets will be considered where there is a demonstrated existing network and documented market opportunity. The ideal candidate brings established senior relationships they can activate from day one and the flexibility to travel up to 25% to serve clients across geographies.

Position Summary

Managing Directors at Orr Group are responsible for driving business development through sourcing, securing, growing, and retaining client relationships for the firm. They partner with the Growth Team to cultivate relationships that deploy Orr Group’s services across the sector — serving as the firm’s most senior external face and primary revenue drivers.

This is an entrepreneurial role for a self-starter with a demonstrated ability to independently build and manage a significant book of business. The ideal candidate brings an established network of nonprofit leaders, a proven record of generating revenue through consultative relationship development, and the credibility to serve as a trusted advisor to CEOs, development executives, and boards. Experience as a Chief Development Officer or equivalent senior nonprofit leader, along with firsthand leadership of a major capital or comprehensive campaign, is strongly preferred.

Managing Directors manage a combination of regional and national clients. Depending on client needs, this role may require up to 25% travel or time working at a client site. Candidates based in Washington, DC or New York City are strongly preferred. Candidates in other major markets nationwide will be considered where there is a demonstrated network and documented market opportunity.

Responsibilities

Managing Directors are expected to arrive with the relationships, credibility, expertise, and drive to build a robust client portfolio. While the Growth Team provides strategic partnership and support, new MDs should expect to develop their pipeline independently in the first year.

Responsibilities include:

• Own the full business development lifecycle from identifying prospects and cultivating relationships to negotiating and closing new client engagements.
• Independently build and manage a client pipeline through personal networks, targeted outreach, and market presence.
• Meet or exceed annual business development and revenue goals through new client acquisition and expansion of existing relationships.
• Secure and expand C-suite and board-level relationships across significant nonprofits, leveraging both self-sourced opportunities and Growth Team support.
• Drive client retention through proactive relationship management, delivering measurable satisfaction and long-term engagement.
• Become knowledgeable about all the firm's Practice Areas in order to identify prospective client needs and position appropriate services and expertise to address them.
• Identify and design the specific service or combination of services a client will engage Orr Group to provide.
• Maintain accountability for overall client profitability, satisfaction, and retention.
• Coordinate with and provide feedback to the Practice Area Leads to strengthen service offerings and identify emerging market opportunities.
• Build a personal brand as a thought leader and expert in one or more areas of Orr Group’s targeted expertise, representing Orr Group through speaking engagements, professional associations, writing, and industry events.
• Champion innovative, efficient ways of working across the team, including the thoughtful use of AI to strengthen client service, sharpen strategic thinking, and improve how Orr Group delivers value.

Managing Directors may also serve as the leader on client projects to ensure high-quality client service delivery. Generally, MDs provide executive oversight and management of the client relationship and ensure that services are delivered on time, in scope, and on budget.

Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Communicating effectively with a wide variety of audiences, including board members, C-suite, staff, donors, and outside advisors.
• Providing high-level oversight of client engagement teams, scopes, and service delivery.
• Serving as mentor and coach to team members.
• Presenting strategic recommendations and distilling complex analyses into actionable insights.
• Discovering and employing new and innovative solutions that create value for clients and strengthen Orr Group’s competitive position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 15+ years of nonprofit sector experience, with significant exposure to fundraising strategy, executive leadership, or nonprofit consulting at a senior level.
• Prior CDO, VP of Development, or equivalent senior in-house fundraising leadership strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of independently sourcing and closing new business and consistently achieving revenue goals.
• Experience managing or leading a major capital or comprehensive campaign strongly preferred.
• Deep, demonstrable network of senior relationships within the nonprofit sector, including C-suite executives, board members, and major philanthropic decision-makers, and the ability to leverage these for new business opportunities. Evidence of sector profile and community presence (e.g., AFP involvement, board service, thought leadership) required.
• Strong strategic acumen and time/project management and organization skills, and the ability to remain flexible and effective under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of "best practices" in fundraising and nonprofit management.
• Ability to handle multiple clients and projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to train, onboard, manage, and lead a team toward a shared goal.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including strong attention to detail and editing skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with AI fundraising and productivity tools, and a genuine interest in how AI can enhance fundraising strategy, client service, and the way our teams work, with a desire to keep learning and applying new tools as they emerge.
• Flexibility to work varying hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed, to meet deadlines, and willingness to travel up to 25%.

Additional Information

Travel Requirements

Managing Directors may manage a combination of regional and national clients. Depending on client needs, this role may sometimes require up to 25% of business travel to client sites.

Annual Salary Range
The annual salary range for this role is $175,000 to $225,000 plus performance-based bonuses.

Benefits

The comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, and vision plans, a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, paid holidays, and generous paid time off.

Orr Group Careers

At Orr Group, we recognize that diversity strengthens our impact. We actively seek team members from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences to better serve our clients and the communities they support. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive, contribute, and grow.

Our goal is to attract, develop, and retain exceptional people and create a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and enables each of us to realize our potential. We are deeply committed to providing advancement opportunities, mentorship, and the resources you need to explore your talents and aspirations. At Orr Group, we believe in investing in our employees’ growth – whether through ongoing professional development, exposure to a wide range of high-impact projects, or the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across all levels.

Working at Orr Group means being part of a passionate, supportive, and team-oriented environment. You’ll work alongside bright, humble, and friendly colleagues who are dedicated to achieving exceptional results as they are to fostering a positive, collaborative atmosphere. While our work can be challenging and high-pressure, it is also incredibly rewarding. We are driven by a shared mission to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges, and you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact as part of a diverse and dynamic team.

Orr Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.