Use this Development Director job description template to attract experienced fundraising and nonprofit leaders who can drive revenue growth, manage donor relationships, and support long-term organizational sustainability.
A Development Director is a senior leader responsible for planning and executing fundraising strategies to support an organization’s programs and mission. They oversee donor relations, major gifts, grants, and fundraising campaigns while working closely with executive leadership and boards.
A Development Director ensures sustainable funding and strong donor partnerships. Their key responsibilities include:
- Developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies
- Building and maintaining relationships with major donors and stakeholders
- Overseeing grants, campaigns, and donor communications
- Leading and mentoring development and fundraising teams
- Aligning fundraising efforts with organizational goals and mission
Development Director Job Description Template
We are looking for a strategic and relationship-driven Development Director to lead our fundraising and advancement efforts. The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record in donor cultivation, campaign management, and revenue growth, along with strong leadership and communication skills. If you are passionate about advancing a mission-driven organization through impactful fundraising, we’d love to meet you!
Roles & Responsibilities
- Develop and implement annual and long-term fundraising plans
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors
- Oversee grant research, proposal writing, and reporting
- Plan and execute fundraising campaigns, events, and initiatives
- Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, sponsors, and partners
- Collaborate with executive leadership and board members on fundraising strategy
- Manage fundraising budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics
- Lead, coach, and evaluate development staff and volunteers
- Ensure accurate donor records and CRM management
- Monitor fundraising trends and identify new revenue opportunities
Requirements & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business, Communications, or related field
- Proven experience as a Development Director or senior fundraising leader
- Strong knowledge of fundraising strategies, donor relations, and grant development
- Excellent relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills
- Experience managing fundraising teams and budgets
- Proficiency with donor management systems (CRM tools)
- Strategic thinking with strong analytical and planning abilities
- Passion for mission-driven work and ethical fundraising practices
Who do Development Directors report to?
Development Directors typically report to:
- Executive Director
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- Board of Directors
- Chief Development Officer (if applicable)
Post this on job boards and career pages to find candidates skilled in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, grant development, and team leadership. Feel free to customize duties and requirements based on your organization’s mission and goals. Similar job titles include Director of Development, Fundraising Director, and Advancement Director.
How to Assess Development Director Skills Effectively
Candidates may list fundraising or leadership experience on their resumes, but assessing their actual ability to drive revenue growth, build donor relationships, and lead development strategy before the interview is crucial. A structured Development Director assessment ensures you hire professionals who can secure funding, strengthen partnerships, and support long-term organizational sustainability.
Here’s how you can assess Development Director proficiency effectively with WeCP:
- Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Growth – Test candidates on their ability to design fundraising strategies, set targets, and diversify revenue streams.
- Donor Relations & Major Gifts – Evaluate their skills in cultivating donor relationships, securing major gifts, and managing stewardship programs.
- Grant Writing & Institutional Giving – Assess their capability to oversee grant pipelines, proposal development, and compliance with funder requirements.
- Leadership & Team Management – Check their ability to lead development teams, manage performance, and align fundraising efforts with organizational goals.
- Reporting, Analytics & Board Communication – Ensure they can track fundraising metrics, report progress, and communicate effectively with executive leadership and boards.
With WeCP’s Development Director assessments, you can efficiently filter out underqualified candidates, streamline executive hiring, and ensure you bring on a leader who can drive sustainable funding and long-term growth.
