Director of Development

Our client, a well-established nonprofit organization, is seeking an experienced Director of Development to lead philanthropic growth and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy.

This is a highly relationship-driven role for a proven development leader who can personally cultivate and close major gifts while overseeing broader fundraising initiatives across individual giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, grants, campaigns, and events.

The ideal candidate brings a strong track record of building donor relationships, securing significant gifts, identifying new funding opportunities, and developing strategies that drive sustainable philanthropic revenue.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with organizational growth priorities.
• Lead major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, grants, campaigns, and fundraising events.
• Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and high-potential prospects.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors with a focus on securing six- and seven-figure gifts .
• Identify new funding sources and opportunities to diversify philanthropic revenue.
• Build strong relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, board members, and community partners.
• Partner with executive leadership to establish fundraising priorities and revenue goals.
• Engage and support board members in fundraising and donor-development activities.
• Collaborate with Marketing and program teams to develop compelling donor communications, campaigns, and impact stories.
• Establish fundraising goals, KPIs, revenue forecasts, dashboards, and performance reporting.
• Manage development budgets and ensure strong fundraising operations and compliance.
• Lead, coach, and develop members of the development team.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of progressive fundraising, development, advancement, or related experience.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience overseeing fundraising, development, or campaign initiatives generating $500K+ annually.
• Demonstrated success personally cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts, including six-figure gifts.
• Experience developing relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, and other funding partners.
• Strong understanding of donor cultivation, stewardship, retention, and development strategy.
• Experience with development operations, CRM systems, budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting.
• Strong leadership, relationship-building, communication, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to work effectively with executive leadership, board members, donors, community partners, and internal teams.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Ability to travel regularly for donor meetings, events, and organizational needs.

Position Details

• Location: Alexandria, VA
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Travel: Up to 25%
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package