Development Director

Job Title: Development Director

Work Location: Rome, NY (In Person)
Reports to: Appointed Direct Supervisor
Classification: Full-time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Eligibility: U.S. Persons Only
Starting Annual Base Salary: $85K - 100K

• This posting will remain open until June 1, 2026. Candidate review date starts March 23, and on a rolling basis through June of 2026.

About Griffiss Institute

As the premier STEM Talent and Technology Accelerator for the United States Department of Defense, Griffiss Institute (GI) is also comprised of an elite international network of academic, government, and industry partners. Together with our team of expert professionals we bridge the gap bringing these three unique sectors together into one collaborative space known as the Innovare Advancement Center (IAC) in Rome, NY.

Located in the picturesque Mohawk Valley Region of New York State, GI has served the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate (AFRL/RI) and the United States since 2002. GI empowers diverse teams with talent and technology development programs that lead the nation in technical and economic impact. To learn more visit us at www.griffissinstitute.org

Position Summary

The Development Director advances Griffiss Institute’s philanthropic strategy by building and sustaining high-impact relationships with major donors, corporate partners, and foundations. Reporting to the Chief Brand and Advancement Officer (CBAO), this position drives the growth of the Institute’s endowment and philanthropic portfolio: powering the Blueprint 2030 Philanthropy Pillar and ensuring long-term sustainability of Griffiss Institute’s mission: One Nation, Secure in Science. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and relationship-builder who can connect mission to impact, translate complex initiatives into compelling philanthropic opportunities, and collaborate across teams to deliver measurable results.

Supervises

Not a supervisory role

Responsibilities and Duties

• Strategic Philanthropy Leadership

a. Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan that grows Griffiss Institute’s endowment and supports annual philanthropic priorities.

b. Align funding strategies with Blueprint 2030 goals across STEM talent, tech transfer, and startup ecosystem development.

c. Identify new revenue streams through corporate partnerships, planned giving, and foundation support.

d. Partner with the CBO to refine and advance the Blueprint 2030 endowment campaign.

• Donor & Partner Engagement

a. Manage a portfolio of major donors, corporate supporters, and community foundations.

b. Cultivate long-term relationships through personalized engagement, stewardship, and recognition programs.

c. Lead the development of funding proposals and sponsorship packages that align partner interests with Griffiss Institute’s mission.

d. Represent Griffiss Institute at donor meetings, community events, and national innovation convenings.

• Grant & Proposal Development

a. Research and pursue federal, state, and philanthropic grant opportunities aligned with the Institute’s priorities.

b. Coordinate cross-functional proposal development with program leads and finance.

c. Track outcomes, deliverables, and impact metrics for all funded initiatives.

• Governance, Policy & Compliance

a. Support the creation and maintenance of philanthropic policies (gift acceptance, endowment spending, donor stewardship).

b. Ensure alignment with UPMIFA, DoW, and other federal or foundation requirements.

c. Prepare reports and presentations for the Board’s Philanthropy Committee and leadership meetings.

• Collaboration & Reporting

a. Collaborate closely with Marketing & Communications to develop donor-facing storytelling and impact reports.

b. Collaborate with the Executive Leadership Team and other team members to identify needs and campaigns.

c. Provide regular updates to the CBO and leadership team on campaign progress, donor engagement, and revenue performance.

d. Maintain accurate donor data and analytics dashboards in CRM (Salesforce or equivalent).

• Events & Stewardship

a. Support philanthropic engagement through signature events including the Strokes of Genius Golf Tournament, Inventors Recognition Ceremony, and Mohawk Valley Gives.

b. Work with Events and Experience teams to ensure consistent donor experience and mission alignment.

c. Manage recognition materials, donor communications, and annual State of the Endowment report.

Qualifications

Skills and Abilities

· Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred in Communications, Nonprofit Management, or related field.

· 5 years of progressive fundraising or major gift experience.

· Proven record of cultivating and soliciting five- and six-figure gifts.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills; adept at proposal writing and impact storytelling.

· Experience with CRM systems and data-driven philanthropy.

· Collaborative and mission-driven, with high emotional intelligence and accountability.

Experience

· Fundraising & Campaign Experience

· Direct experience closing seven-figure gifts and/or leading campaigns with $5M–$25M cumulative goals

· Experience contributing to or leading a capital campaign, endowment campaign, or multi-year philanthropic growth strategy

· Proven success managing simultaneous funding streams (major gifts, corporate philanthropy, foundations, events, and campaigns)

· Major Gifts & Donor Strategy

· Hands-on experience managing a major gifts portfolio of $2M annually

· Demonstrated ability to move donors up the giving ladder from annual support to transformational commitments

· Experience engaging C-suite executives, founders, board members, and high-net-worth individuals as philanthropic partners

· Comfort serving as a strategic partner to senior leadership in donor strategy, solicitation planning, and stewardship

· Institutional & Foundation Experience

· Experience working within or alongside:

· Research institutions

· Innovation hubs

· STEM or workforce development organizations

· Defense, national security, or technology-adjacent nonprofits (preferred)

· Familiarity with community foundations, donor-advised funds, and family foundations

· Experience aligning philanthropic strategy with economic development, workforce, or innovation outcomes

· Corporate & Partnership Development

· Track record of securing corporate sponsorships and multi-year partnership agreements

· Experience structuring mission-aligned corporate giving, sponsorships, and naming opportunities

· Ability to translate complex technical or research initiatives into clear value propositions for corporate partners

· Governance, Compliance & Financial Acumen

· Working knowledge of endowment management concepts, including restricted vs unrestricted giving

· Experience supporting boards or board committees on philanthropy, development, or advancement

· Familiarity with UPMIFA, donor intent compliance, and stewardship best practices

· Comfort collaborating with finance teams on campaign forecasting, revenue tracking, and reporting

· Data, Systems & Performance

· Experience using CRM platforms (Salesforce NPSP or equivalent) to:

· Manage pipelines

· Track moves management

· Forecast revenue

· Report KPIs to leadership and boards

· Data-informed approach to donor segmentation, portfolio management, and campaign performance

· Leadership & Organizational Maturity

· Experience working in high-growth, change-oriented organizations

· Demonstrated ability to build structure where systems are evolving

· High degree of professional judgment, discretion, and executive presence

· Experience collaborating cross-functionally with marketing, programs, finance, and leadership

Education/Licensure/Certifications

· Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications, Public Administration, or a related discipline preferred

· Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field

· Formal training or continuing education in:

· Major gifts strategy

· Capital or endowment campaigns

· Fundraising ethics and donor stewardship

· Board and volunteer engagement

· Professional Credentials (Highly Valued)

· CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) or progress toward CFRE certification

· AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) membership with demonstrated engagement in professional development

· Training or certification in:

· Capital campaign planning

· Planned giving fundamentals

· Endowment development and stewardship

· Compliance & Governance Familiarity

· Working knowledge of:

· UPMIFA and endowment best practices

· Donor-restricted and unrestricted fund management

· Ethical fundraising standards and gift acceptance policies

· Experience operating in regulated, compliance-forward environments (e.g., federally funded, defense-adjacent, or research institutions) preferred

· Continuous Learning Mindset

· Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development in philanthropy, advancement, and nonprofit leadership

· Comfort staying current with evolving best practices in:

· Donor engagement

· Philanthropic data and analytics

· Campaign strategy and stewardship

Schedule and Location

· Location: Griffiss Institute, Rome, New York

Full-time, exempt position

· Standard business hours with flexibility to accommodate:

· Donor meetings and cultivation activities

· Board and committee meetings

· Evening or weekend events as needed

· Travel required for donor engagement, partner meetings, and national convenings (anticipated 10–25%)

· On-Site Presence

· Regular on-site presence at the Innovare Advancement Center is expected to:

· Engage with leadership, program teams, and partners

· Host and steward donors and stakeholders

· Support key events and institutional moments

· On-site schedule is purpose-driven, not time-clock driven

· Flexibility & Professional Trust

· Griffiss Institute supports flexible work arrangements aligned with performance, outcomes, and donor needs

· This role is evaluated on results, relationships, and revenue impact, not hours logged

Pay: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $85,000 - $100,000