Job Title: Director of Development

Status: Full Time/Exempt

Department: Advancement Reports to: Vice President of Advancement

Summary

The Director of Development provides leadership for Communities In Schools' frontline fundraising team. This role manages the officers responsible for individual, institutional, and annual giving, and ensures that donor portfolios, events, campaigns, stewardship, and volunteer and in-kind engagement are well coordinated. The Director also leads the launch and management of CIS's Giving Society and Planned Giving efforts and maintains a small portfolio of leadership donors and partners.

Essential Functions

Leadership and Management

The Director supervises all frontline fundraisers, sets performance expectations, and guides portfolio development and donor strategy. The role leads team meetings, provides coaching, and ensures consistent moves management and stewardship across all giving levels. Fundraising Strategy and Portfolio Work The Director supports the annual fundraising plan and strengthens revenue across individual donors, family foundations, corporations, civic groups, and faith partners. The Director maintains a personal portfolio of leadership donors, collaborates with the VP of Advancement on major opportunities, and ensures strong prospect identification and cultivation practices.

Giving Society and Planned Giving

The Director leads the launch and ongoing management of CIS's Giving Society, including recruitment, stewardship, and annual renewal strategies. The Director also launches early-stage Planned Giving efforts by identifying prospects, developing simple materials, and coordinating follow-up in partnership with frontline staff.

Events, Campaigns, and Stewardship

The Director oversees the strategy for fundraising events, stewardship gatherings, and annual campaigns such as Giving Tuesday and year-end giving. The role works closely with the Advancement Coordinator on logistics, invitations, and donor follow-up and ensures that stewardship practices are timely and aligned with CIS's values.

Volunteer and In-Kind Engagement

The Director provides oversight for volunteer and in-kind engagement connected to Advancement, in partnership with the Institutional Giving Officer and program staff. The focus is on strengthening donor relationships and aligning engagement activities with student and school needs.

Internal Collaboration

The Director collaborates with the VP of Advancement, Grants Director, Advancement Coordinator, and Database Manager on forecasting, donor lists, reporting, and campaign and event execution. The role partners with Finance on budgeting and revenue tracking.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Educations and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree required
• 5 years of professional experience in supervisor roles preferred
• Proven understanding of fundraising best practices
• Experience supervising or coaching fundraisers
• Ability to build and sustain donor and partner relationships
• Strong organizational and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Technical Skills

• Advanced use of Microsoft Office products including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Strong computer skills
• Familiarity with donor management software, Raiser's Edge NXT preferred
• Experience with project management principles and tools preferred

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to handle, feel and keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, or bend. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision.

Work Environment

The position is located within the Charlotte Mecklenburg area. Regular and satisfactory attendance and punctuality are required.

Criminal background, financial credit check, drug test, and driving record check required.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload. Other duties may be assigned by the VP of Advancement as required.