Director of Development

ACCESS, Inc 

230 West Market Street 

Akron, OH 44303 

POSITION: Director of Development– Salary Exempt  

ACCESS Shelter is looking for an experienced fundraising professional to be responsible for fund development and implementation, public relations, and management of direct reports.

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Bachelor's degree in communications, business, marketing, or related field.

• Excellent writing skills 

• Minimum of 2 years of successful experience in grant writing.

• Experience cultivating major gifts and stewarding donor portfolios. 

• Intermediate computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and donor CRM database applications. 

• Excellent communication skills, “people person,” dynamic self-starter, highly organized. 

• Ability to work well both as a team member and individually. 

• Some graphic design experience. 

• Successful history planning and executing fundraising events. 

• Demonstrated flexibility, motivation, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.

• Experienced in managing, motivating, and coordinating people.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

• Valid Ohio driver’s license and reliable personal transportation.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES: 

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive strategy to support the annual operating budget, capital expansion, special initiatives, and long-term growth of the organization. This includes raising revenue from foundations, corporations, government sources, individual donors, major gifts, sponsorships, and special events. 

• Design, implement, and manage annual fundraising plans and campaigns, including major gifts, institutional giving, sponsorships, donor stewardship initiatives, and signature fundraising events. 

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new and existing donors and funding partners, including individuals, foundations, corporations, and public-sector entities, in partnership with the Executive Director, Board members, and other key stakeholders. 

• Provide oversight for the writing, preparation, submission, and tracking of grant proposals, funding requests, sponsorship materials, reports, and other development communications to public and private funding sources, ensuring deadlines and compliance requirements are met. 

• Manage systems for all donor cultivation, acknowledgment, stewardship, and retention, with a focus on strengthening relationships, increasing donor engagement, and growing sustainable support. 

• Provide strategic leadership for campaign planning and execution, including capital, annual, and special initiative campaigns, and the development of campaign materials and prospect engagement plans. 

• Prepare and present regular development reports, dashboards, revenue updates, and fundraising forecasts for the Board of Directors and leadership team; assist with annual budgeting, revenue projections, and goal setting. 

• Supervise and provide direction to the development team which includes grants and fundraising specialist, marketing and communications coordinator, and donations and volunteer coordinator and contractors as assigned. 

• Establish priorities, workflows, performance expectations, and project management systems to ensure effective execution of departmental goals. 

• Provide oversight of volunteer operations, donation systems, community partnerships, and effective coordination, stewardship, and distribution of donated goods. 

• Oversee the agency’s donor database/CRM, including gift processing, donor records, appropriate reporting, prospect tracking, pledge monitoring, acknowledgment systems, donor communications, and data integrity. 

• Lead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive marketing, communications, and public relations strategy that advances the agency's mission, increases public awareness, supports fundraising goals, and reinforces community trust. Oversee brand consistency across all external communications — including appeals, annual reports, newsletters, social media, press releases, campaign materials, and sponsorship packets — ensuring alignment of messaging, voice, and visual identity. 

• Serve as a key member of the agency’s leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy, cross-functional planning, external partnerships, and opportunities that strengthen the mission and long-term sustainability of the organization. 

Breakdown of Responsibilities 

Major Giving 40% 

Grant Writing 10% 

Leadership and team management 25% 

Administration, Data, and Reporting 15% 

Event planning and execution 10% 

Job Type: Full-time, Exempt  

Compensation: $70,000-78,000/year salary with additional bonus incentives  

• Flexible schedule. 

• Being part of the senior staff requires being on call for an average of 1 week per month for the shelter. 

Benefits: 

• Medical, dental vision coverage  

• Optional supplemental insurance coverage 

• Optional 401k matching  

• Free meals on each shift worked. 

• Better you Better Ohio: Free health and wellness program with up to $225 annual reward 

• Employee Assistance Program 

• Flexible Spending Account 

• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account 

• Holiday Pay 

• Sick time 

• Personal time 

• Unpaid time off