Director, Development

Director, Development

The Ad Council convenes creative storytellers to educate, unite and uplift audiences by opening hearts, inspiring action and accelerating change. For more than 80 years, the nonprofit organization and its partners in advertising, media, marketing and tech have been behind some of the country's most iconic social impact campaigns – Smokey Bear, Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk, Tear the Paper Ceiling and many more.

The Ad Council's Development team raises the financial capital that powers our mission. The department generates more than $14M in annual general operating support, manages the organization's 160-member Board of Directors, and collaborates cross-functionally to support the $10M Public Service Award Dinner, campaign fundraising, and corporate partnerships. Building on record revenue performance and a growing roster of world-class corporate partners, we are scaling our ambitions — and we are looking for a dynamic Director, Development to join the team.

The Director, Development plays an integral role in the Ad Council's fundraising program by managing a portfolio of key corporate donors across Financial Services, Retail, CPG, Food & Beverage, Automotive, and Top 50 Brands — cultivating existing and identifying new relationships, developing and stewarding campaign partnerships, and tracking and reporting fundraising efforts.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, this is a pivotal individual contributor role. You will serve as a trusted advisor and strategic connector between corporate partners and Ad Council campaigns, driving both the deepening of existing partnerships and the cultivation of new ones. You'll manage a portfolio of high-value corporate relationships, and your contributions will translate directly into the resources that fuel our mission.

The compensation for this position is within the range of $100,000 – $110,000 annually (based on experience level). The compensation package also includes an annual incentive, comprehensive benefit offerings, and generous paid time off.

What You'll Do

Partnership Stewardship & Business Development

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 35 corporate donors across Financial Services, Retail, CPG, Food & Beverage, Automotive, and Top 50 Brands, responsible for raising approximately $3M+ in annual general operating support.
• Conduct face-to-face donor meetings with Board members and high-level corporate executives to cultivate relationships and secure support.
• Research, identify, and solicit new corporate donors; create a pipeline of new support to increase revenue year over year.
• Develop compelling, customized partnership proposals and presentations that articulate the Ad Council's unique value proposition with clarity and authority.
• Lead renewal strategy for existing accounts, identifying opportunities to expand scope, deepen engagement, and increase contribution levels.
• Initiate and work closely with campaign teams to facilitate strategic corporate partnerships that provide impact and visibility for our causes, while delivering on corporate partner expectations.
• Contribute to team strategy, knowledge-sharing, and a culture of continuous improvement within the Development department.

Revenue Tracking & Reporting

• Maintain a robust pipeline of prospects and partners; track activity, forecast revenue, and report progress against goals to SVP and the team.
• Assist with tracking and reporting fundraising activity, pledge and gift processing, and data management in Salesforce.
• Submit corporate proposals and progress reports as needed, and work cross-functionally with Communications, Finance, and Campaigns teams to produce stewardship reports for donors.
• Meet and exceed annual revenue targets through a disciplined and creative mix of new business acquisition and existing account growth.

Board Engagement & External Representation

• Assist in identifying new board prospects and lead cultivation and engagement of existing board members within your portfolio.
• Represent the Ad Council as a thought leader at industry conferences and events; research and prepare prep documents for prospects and industry events.
• Represent the department on internal committees and serve as an internal advocate for partner priorities across the organization.
• Travel as needed to meet partners, attend conferences, and represent the Ad Council externally.

What You Bring

• 6+ years of experience working in a high-performance professional environment in fundraising, sales, sponsorship or partnership development, or a role with substantial client relationship management and/or business development — ideally in nonprofit, marketing, media or agency environments.
• Demonstrated track record of securing and growing multi-year, six-eight figure corporate partnerships or sales accounts.
• Familiarity with the advertising/media/marketing industry and/or one or more target sectors: Financial Services, Retail, CPG, Food & Beverage, or Automotive.
• Advanced ability to build and engage strategic partnerships with a broad network of stakeholders; fosters collaborative relationships across the organization, with vendors, and with external partners.
• Outstanding communication and persuasion skills — able to represent the Ad Council, influence senior stakeholders, and drive engagement with expertise and authority.
• Excellent project management track record; strong organizational and follow-up skills with close attention to detail; proven ability to plan, organize, monitor, and execute all aspects of a development role while holding oneself accountable to outcomes.
• Comfort with variable travel to meet partners, attend industry conferences, and represent the Ad Council externally.
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and accountable — with the desire to make work a fun and rewarding experience.

Qualities of a Standout Candidate

• Experience working with top brands – ideally within marketing, communications, or CSR teams – with a feel for how large, matrixed organizations operate and how to build relationships across them.
• Background in cause marketing, corporate social responsibility, or mission-driven communications.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM, Slack, AI, Canva, and Microsoft Office tools a plus.
• Passion for social impact and an understanding of the role communications play in driving behavior

What You'll Get

All full-time Ad Council employees are eligible for:

• Full remote work arrangements; Robust and flexible time off; Parental/Caregiver leave; "Health" days.
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision plans; Health and Flexible Savings benefit; Reimbursement toward health and wellness expenses; Additional insurances for your spouse/children/pets.
• Participation in the Ad Council 403(b) Retirement Plan with generous annual company contributions.
• Professional and skill-based development opportunities; Tuition Reimbursement.

At the Ad Council, we value and celebrate the unique characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. Fostering a welcoming environment allows us to enhance and reimagine how we reach our audiences, driving true, measurable, and life-changing impact on the most important issues facing our country today.

The Ad Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to any legally protected status.