Director of Development

About the role

The Director of Development is an administrative position reporting to District, College, or auxiliary leadership. The incumbent provides strategic leadership for the District's resource development program, including spearheading significant fundraising campaigns aimed at securing substantial financial support for student success, academic initiatives, and capital projects.

The Director of Development designs, directs, and executes multi-year fundraising campaigns, planned giving programs, and major donor initiatives that align with institutional priorities. The incumbent manages a complex portfolio of high-value donors, philanthropic relationships, and prospects with measurable revenue and engagement goals. The Director of Development leads cross-departmental collaboration and leverages alumni, faculty, staff, retirees, volunteers, and community partner relationships for fund development success. The incumbent serves as a key advisor to District, College, or auxiliary leadership on strategic fundraising direction and donor engagement strategies and provides management and mentorship to development staff and volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Works in partnership with District, College, or auxiliary leadership and the entity's advisory body to create, develop, and implement the strategic fundraising plan, including the multi-year campaign, planned giving program, and major donor initiatives.
• Offers industry expertise on philanthropic trends, donor demographics, giving patterns, and financial data to inform the entity's and the District's strategic planning and reporting.
• Inspires cross-department collaboration to ensure engagement and involvement of District and College leadership in major campaigns and other fundraising initiatives.
• Builds and leverages relationships with civic, corporate, foundation, and nonprofit leaders to enhance the District, Colleges, and auxiliary entities' visibility and fundraising success.
• Leads major gift efforts by developing and stewarding relationships with high-value donors to ensure ongoing support, recognition, and involvement in the planned giving program.
• Identifies, cultivates, and solicits major gift prospects, developing tailored approaches that resonate with each donor's interests and charitable goals.
• Facilitates donor visits, prepares proposals, and