Director of Development

About the Role

Children's Hope Alliance is seeking a strategic and results-oriented Director of Development to lead and strengthen the agency's fundraising strategy, donor engagement efforts, and Development team performance. This position will be responsible for growing philanthropic revenue, advancing major gifts and donor relationships, supporting campaign and stewardship strategies, and building a more disciplined, data-informed fundraising model. The ideal candidate will bring strong nonprofit fundraising leadership experience, demonstrated success with major gifts and donor portfolio management, and the ability to coach a team toward clear goals, accountability, and sustainable revenue growth. This role requires strong relationship-building skills, comfort using donor data and CRM systems, and a commitment to advancing CHA's mission across North Carolina.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and implement CHA's fundraising strategy to support mission growth and revenue goals.
• Build and strengthen relationships with donors, prospects, community partners, and supporters.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of major gift donors and high-capacity prospects.
• Lead annual giving, major gifts, campaigns, sponsorships, planned giving, and stewardship efforts.
• Coach, develop, and support a high-performing Development team.
• Establish fundraising goals and track progress toward key performance metrics.
• Partner with executive leadership and the Board to advance fundraising priorities and donor engagement.
• Strengthen donor retention and long-term engagement through effective stewardship strategies.
• Expand fundraising opportunities across North Carolina through regional and community engagement.
• Collaborate with Finance, Marketing, Programs, and other departments to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities.
• Utilize Salesforce and fundraising data to guide decision-making, forecasting, and performance improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, including at least three (3) years in a leadership role with responsibility for team supervision, performance management, and change leadership.
• Demonstrated success developing and leading fundraising strategies that drive donor acquisition, retention, and revenue growth.
• Proven experience managing donor portfolios and fundraising programs, including major gifts, annual giving, stewardship, and campaign execution.
• Experience leading, coaching, and motivating a team of at least five (5) employees toward ambitious goals, accountability standards, and measurable performance outcomes.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Salesforce or a comparable donor CRM for portfolio management, donor segmentation, activity tracking, pipeline reporting, and performance accountability.
• Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• High level of professionalism, confidentiality, sound judgment, and commitment to CHA's mission.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly for donor meetings, community engagement activities, and organizational representation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in child welfare, behavioral health, human services, or related nonprofit organizations.
• Familiarity with North Carolina's philanthropic landscape.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) certification or comparable fundraising credential.

Pay

$87,680-$104,120