Director, Advisory Services

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.  

Position Summary 

Orr Group is seeking a Director to lead strategic Advisory Services engagements and deliver exceptional service across a range of organizational planning and fundraising strategy projects. Directors serve as day-to-day project leaders and trusted advisors to nonprofit executives and boards, guiding work streams, driving execution, and ensuring high-quality outcomes in partnership with a senior engagement lead who sets the overall strategic direction. 

Advisory Services Directors oversee complex analyses, lead stakeholder engagement processes, develop strategic recommendations, and synthesize findings into actionable deliverables for senior review and refinement. They also contribute to firm initiatives and mentor junior colleagues. This role requires strategic thinking, analytical rigor, client relationship management, and strong facilitation skills. Advisory Services Directors collaborate closely with client leadership and work cross-functionally with colleagues across Orr Group. The position may require up to 25% travel depending on client needs. 

Responsibilities 

Each project at Orr Group is specially tailored and designed for the needs of that particular client. Generally, Directors oversee project management, guide day-to-day account operations, drive teamwork strategies, and serve as the day-to-day liaison with the client. They actively lead the daily work of the project as well as the data collection and analysis, report writing, and client presentations. 

Client Relationship Management 

• Serve as the primary day-to-day point of contact for a portfolio of client projects, in partnership with the senior engagement lead. 

• Build and manage strong working relationships while escalating strategic questions or decision points to senior leadership as appropriate. 

• Stay current on sector trends and share insights to help shape client strategies. 

• Facilitate discovery and planning conversations and partner with senior leaders in executive- and board-level engagements. 

• Oversee project scopes, timelines, and work plans, ensuring high-quality deliverables are met within scope, budget, and deadlines. 

• Partner with Orr Group Impact Officers and other internal colleagues to identify opportunities for contract renewals and expanded service offerings. 

Strategic Advisory & Planning 

• Co-lead the design and execution of strategic planning, development planning, case development, feasibility assessments, and campaign planning engagements in collaboration with senior leadership. 

• Lead the day-to-day execution of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis; synthesize insights into clear, compelling narratives and strategic recommendations. 

• Develop strategic frameworks, revenue projections, staffing recommendations, and implementation roadmaps. 

• Facilitate working sessions with client team to gather input, test ideas, and refine recommendations. 

• Produce high-quality deliverables, including reports and presentations, that translate complex information into actionable guidance. 

Project Team Management 

• Set and communicate the day-to-day direction of project workstreams, ensuring alignment with the senior engagement lead on strategy, priorities, and decision-making. 

• Manage team workloads, delegate and prioritize tasks, and oversee timelines, budgets, and quality control while escalating key risks or strategic decisions to senior leadership. 

• Coach junior colleagues while fostering a collaborative and inclusive team culture. 

• Ensure all client-facing materials are developed to a high standard, with the Director responsible for advancing key deliverables to near-final form for senior review and approval. 

Internal Organization Contributions 

• Mentor junior team members by modeling professional communication, thought leadership, and effective client service. 

• Contribute to firm-wide initiatives, committees, and special projects that shape Orr Group’s priorities and culture. 

• Build expertise in development planning, campaign strategy, organizational assessments, and related Advisory offerings. 

• Share insights and best practices to strengthen the firm’s intellectual capital and service excellence. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree required. 

• 8+ years of nonprofit sector experience, ideally in fundraising, development operations, strategy, or related function.  

• Previous consulting experience is welcomed but not required; candidates with nonprofit leadership or strategy experience who can apply that perspective in an advisory environment are strongly encouraged to apply. 

• Experience leading strategic, multi-stakeholder initiatives within a fundraising or nonprofit context (e.g., campaign planning, major gift strategy development, portfolio reviews, development department restructuring, board engagement, program growth planning, etc.). 

• Demonstrated ability to assess information, identify patterns or opportunities, and translate insights into clear recommendations or action plans. 

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to review data (fundraising, financial, operational, or CRM) and synthesize key findings for leadership. 

• Excellent written communication skills, including experience preparing materials for executives, boards, donors, or external partners. 

• Demonstrated success in building relationships and collaborating with organizational leaders and cross-functional teams. 

• Strong facilitation skills, able to guide discussions, gather input, and move groups toward decisions. 

• Proven project management abilities, with experience managing timelines, deliverables, and team workflows across complex initiatives. 

• Leadership experience, whether through direct supervision or leading cross-functional efforts or initiatives. 

• Familiarity with fundraising best practices or nonprofit management principles; comfort learning new tools, frameworks, and approaches. 

• Interest in or familiarity with AI-powered productivity or fundraising tools. 

• Flexibility to work varying hours to meet deadlines when needed. 

You Will Be Successful If… 

You are Deeply Curious: You seek to understand each organization’s context – their strategy, revenue drivers, culture, and constraints. You ask thoughtful questions, examine data from multiple angles, and connect insights across interviews, research, and sector trends to uncover what truly matters. 

You Excel at Relationships and Communication: You build trust quickly and translate complex ideas into clear, actionable narratives. You know how to set context, frame decisions, and facilitate conversations that surface honest input and move leaders toward alignment. You tailor your communication to diverse stakeholders, from staff to board members. 

You Bring Analytical Strength and Practical Strategic Thinking: You make sense of complexity with ease. You analyze data, identify meaningful patterns, and synthesize information into structured recommendations that are both strategic and grounded in reality. You balance vision with feasibility, offering clients advice that is data-informed, implementable, and aligned with their organizational capacity, not theoretical or out of reach. 

You Thrive in Fast-Paced, Multi-Engagement Environments: You manage multiple workstreams with composure and intention. You stay organized amid shifting priorities, anticipate what’s needed next, and consistently move work forward, even when timelines are tight or circumstances change quickly. 

Additional Information 

Location 

Orr Group offices are located in Washington, DC, and New York City, and candidates must be based in either metropolitan area. Our hybrid policy requires staff to spend at least 60% of their working time in an Orr Group office or at client sites. 

Travel Requirements 

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

Salary Range 

The salary range for this role is $100,000 - $135,000, with annual bonus potential of up to $25,000.   

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 as 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.