How to Become a Development Director
Step 1: Understand the job description and responsibilities of a Development Director
What does a Development Director do?
A Development Director manages an organization's fundraising strategies, campaigns, capital development initiatives, and operations to support the overall organizational development and revenue objectives. Implements donor stewardship programs to identify, develop, retain, and nurture a portfolio of individual and institutional donors. Being a Development Director works to develop potential corporate or governmental partnerships and grant funding opportunities. Creates collaborative coordination between staff and internal stakeholders to plan events and communications to increase donor engagement. Additionally, Development Director uses technology to manage and monitor donor information and produce data-driven measurement and reporting of the progress of fundraising goals. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. The Development Director typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. To be a Development Director typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.
A Director of Development is chiefly responsible for bringing in revenue streams to a non-profit (grants, donations, special events), and a CFO is responsible for the fiscal management of the organization.
Some larger organizations (especially those that have large government grants) have a grants manager as well as a grant writer/Director of Development.
The role of a development director is to develop and implement a strategic plan to raise vital funds for their organization in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner.
The development director's primary responsibility, however, is to oversee fundraising, rather than to actually raise money.
The development director is usually accountable to the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, or CFO.
Step 2: Learn best tips to become a Development Director
Best tips for those who want to become a Development Director
Here are some tips to become a Development Director.
Don’t be afraid to take a unique path to your goal.
Enter the Organization’s Fundraising Funnel.
Prepare for Common Interview Questions.
Have a Case Study in Your Back Pocket.
Understand And Embody 'Executive Presence'.
Step 3: View best colleges and universities for Development Director
Best colleges and universities for Development Director
- Princeton University
- Providence College
- Rollins College
- Taylor University
- Bentley University
- University of Portland
Step 4: Think about whether is it worth to be a Development Director
Is being a Development Director Worth it?
Aside from being a knowledgable liaison between you and other city officials you'll need to communicate with, directors of economic development.
May be able to inform you of city economic development incentives, such as paying for or helping with costs related to infrastructure (like the relocation of storm sewer or expansion of utilities), road expansion or signal lights, demolition or environmental issues.
Now that you're on your way to the director of economic development's office, it's important to know what to ask.
Do you have an aerial map of the city? Most cities have a full blown-up map showing the boundary lines of the city, which can be used to find out where the new housing is expanding, new roads are being built and new developments are incoming.
Does your city offer any incentives to developers or retailers? Each city is competing with their neighbors to bring new development to their communities and states, so many offer competitive incentives.
Step 5: Prepare relevant skills for being a Development Director
What skills do you need to be a Development Director?
Due to the management level associted with this job, many skills are required to being successful and ensuring the success of your team. It is necessary to be able to excel with: Community Management, Event Marketing, Fundraising, Grant Management, Grant Writing, Non-Profit Management, Outreach, Program Development. For management positions, some skills may come as a no brainer, for this role those would be: Fundraising Software. As you can tell, it is no easy feat to be a manager, and the skills required reflect that.
But with a few essential skills, and a lot of delegation, any Development Director can shrink the world just a little bit.
As we’ve mentioned, the Development Director does not need to be an expert in every aspect of an organization’s story, technology, or process.
The successful candidate will be responsible for developing our non-profit’s fundraising campaigns, communicating with current and prospective donors, and building a stronger development team for our organization.
If you have a strong background in non-profit fundraising and development, we encourage you to apply.
To keep your nonprofit’s operations afloat, it’s imperative that your nonprofit seek out a born leader and expert philanthropist with a well-rounded development director job description.
Step 6: View average salary for Development Director
How much does a Development Director make?
The average salary range for a Development Director is from $102,713 to $162,319. The salary will change depending on your location, job level, experience, education, and skills.
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Average salary for Development Director jobs
- Leadership Development & Planning Director
- Business Development Director - Biotech
- Partnership Business Development Director
- Research and Development Director
- Organizational Development Director
- Business Development Director
- Product Development Director
- Development and Fundraising Director
- Banking Strategic Development Director
Step 7: Find relevant Development Director jobs, and apply.
Looking for Development Director jobs?
Here are some Development Director jobs in the United States.