Development Director

About the role

The Community Engagement team manages fundraising and marketing efforts for Early Connections Learning Center. This position requires a Development Director who leads fundraising efforts including general operating fundraising, capital campaigns, and special events.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a champion for children by elevating the mission, values, and organizational culture
• Sets and drives execution of fundraising plan to meet all fundraising goals
• Maintains a personal portfolio of principal, major, and planned gift donors and conducts face-to-face solicitation
• Ensures successful oversight and stewardship of assets/resources
• Designs, implements, and administers donor acquisition programs to include special events, annual and capital campaigns, and specific program fundraising
• Identifies, screens, and rates prospects
• Prepares statistical reports related to all fundraising activities
• Designs, implements, and maintains legacy and major gift societies
• Manages donor recognition and relations to maintain donor retention rates
• Plans and executes the organization's major fundraising event
• Researches relevant external data, including information and statistics relevant to early childhood education, health needs, etc.
• Aids the VP of Community Engagement with tour requests, scheduling, and leading tours
• Performs other duties as required

Requirements

• Demonstrated successful experience in resource development and fundraising
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare donor communications, proposals, reports, and presentations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and donor/customer relationship management systems
• Experience working within customer relationship management (CRM) databases such as Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, or similar platforms
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Knowledge of local philanthropic, civic, and business communities preferred
• Knowledge of state and national resources, grants, and foundations preferred
• Valid driver license and current auto insurance required

Qualifications

• Prior to employment, candidates must pass federal and state criminal and Colorado Department of Early Childhood background checks, pre-employment drug screen, and verification of employment and education.

Physical Demands

• Regularly sits, stands, walks, types, climbs three flights of stairs, and may occasionally need to carry 10-25 lbs.

Travel and Remote Work

Occasional remote working capability for this position is determined by employee’s supervisor.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• 13 paid holidays scheduled in 2026
• Generous paid vacation
• 8 sick days
• 1 anniversary day
• Paid Family Medical Leave for qualifying individuals – this benefit does not provide 100% wage replacement
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Medical insurance – ECLC pays up to 75% of employee premium
• Free Employee Assistance Program with up to 5 sessions per life situation
• Dental and Vision insurance
• Childcare Benefit
• This benefit depends on having an enrollment opening
• Tuition Reimbursement, Continuing Education and Training
• Tuition reimbursement of $150 per 3-credit hour course is available to staff enrolled in approved coursework in Early Childhood Education or related to their position and who maintain the required grade point average.
• Reimbursement may be available for pre-approved job-related certificate programs
• Other Insurance
• 100% employer-paid Basic Term Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance

Pay Range

$74,000 - $82,000 per year