Director of Development

Location: 1100 Bagby Street, Houston, TX 77002 Department: Development & Membership Reports to: Executive Director Schedule: Full-Time, Exempt Development Director About The Heritage Society The Heritage Society (THS) at Sam Houston Park is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating Houston’s diverse history through its historic buildings, exhibitions, and educational programs. We are seeking a dynamic and relationship‑driven Development Director to lead fundraising, membership, and donor engagement efforts that sustain and grow our mission. About the Role This is a hands‑on, high‑ownership role . You will manage donor relationships, lead major gifts, grow events and sponsorships, strengthen grants, and build the systems and structure of a modern development department. As revenue grows, this position will evolve into Chief Development Officer . Fundraising & Donor Relations (Primary Focus) major donor strategy , including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship Build and manage donor pipelines with clear revenue targets Conduct donor meetings, prepare proposals, and manage follow‑up Strengthen donor retention and stewardship systems Maintain accurate, actionable donor data in DonorView Events & Sponsorships Lead all fundraising events from concept to execution Grow event revenue, attendance, and sponsorships year over year Develop sponsorship packages and renewals Coordinate with vendors, volunteers, and museum leadership Strategic Planning & Revenue Management Track revenue, KPIs, and donor activity using DonorView Partner with the Executive Director and Board Development Committee on strategy Improve donor communications (appeals, updates, acknowledgments) Build the infrastructure for a scalable development department Grants & Institutional Giving Manage the grants calendar, deadlines, and reporting Coordinate information, write, and submit grant applications Identify new funding opportunities and maintain foundation relationships Future Department Leadership Recommend development staffing structure as revenue grows Establish development policies, processes, and performance standards Serve as the organization’s lead fundraising strategist What We’re Looking For 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience Demonstrated success with major gifts, sponsorships, and donor stewardship Experience building or scaling a development program Strong communication and relationship‑building skills CRM proficiency (DonorView preferred) Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑moving environment Museum or cultural nonprofit experience strongly preferred What Success Looks Like in Year One A clear, board‑aligned fundraising plan with milestones Growth in major gifts, sponsorships, and event revenueStrengthened donor relationships and stewardship systems A clean, optimized DonorView database A functioning grants pipeline with predictable deadlines A documented vision for the future development department Why Join Us? At The Heritage Society, you’ll play a pivotal role in preserving Houston’s history while engaging with a vibrant community of donors, Board members, and other volunteers. This is an opportunity to combine your fundraising expertise with a passion for cultural heritage and nonprofit impact. How to Apply Interested candidates should submit a résumé and cover letter outlining their qualifications and interest in the role to View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr