Director of Development

Director of Development – Job Description

Position Title: Director of Development

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Employment Status: Full-Time, Exempt (Salaried)

Location: Hybrid

Travel Expectations: Occasional travel for donor engagement, events, and organizational initiatives, including potential international travel.

Position Summary

The Director of Development is a strategic, visionary leader responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive fundraising and partnership strategy to support Project Rouj’s mission and long-term sustainability. This role leads all major development functions—including annual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, donor stewardship, and fundraising events—while strengthening organizational systems and relationships that drive philanthropic growth.

The Director of Development partners closely with executive leadership, the Board of Directors, and the Roof Raisers committee to design and lead the organization’s fundraising strategy. This role is responsible for meeting revenue targets and ensuring that donor engagement efforts are carried out consistently and to high standards.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Development & Fundraising Leadership

• Design, implement, and evaluate a multi-year development strategy that advances the organization’s mission and long-term impact.
• Establish annual fundraising goals and lead efforts to cultivate support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and community partners who share a commitment to the organization’s work.
• Analyze donor engagement trends and giving data to strengthen relationships, deepen donor connection to mission outcomes, and identify opportunities to expand support.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities that sustain and grow programs, ensuring the organization’s ability to serve communities effectively.
• Develop and track meaningful performance measures that reflect both fundraising success and donor engagement with the mission.
• Set and monitor goals for donor acquisition, retention, and overall philanthropic investment in the organization’s work.
• Prepare and present regular impact and fundraising reports to executive leadership and the Board of Directors, connecting financial support to measurable mission outcomes.

Major Gifts & Donor Stewardship

• Build and manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects.
• Develop tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans to deepen donor engagement.
• Lead donor communications strategies, including impact reporting, engagement campaigns, and personalized outreach from executive leadership.
• Ensure accurate and timely donor acknowledgment and compliance with fundraising policies and regulations.

Corporate, Foundation, & Community Partnerships

• Build relationships with corporate partners, foundations, civic groups, and community stakeholders.
• Lead grant strategy, including identifying opportunities, overseeing the grant calendar, and coordinating the preparation of proposals and reports.

Fundraising Events & Campaigns (High-Level Oversight Only)

Note: Hands-on committee management duties are excluded.

• Provide strategic direction for fundraising events and campaigns and collaborate with Roof Raisers and Roof Raiser leadership.
• Set goals, approve event concepts, and support leadership with donor or sponsor engagement as needed.
• Ensure event performance aligns with development objectives and revenue targets.

Development Operations & Systems Management

• Oversee donor database, tracking systems, and reporting tools to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures related to fundraising, gift processing, stewardship, and donor privacy.
• Produce internal development reports, dashboards, and revenue projections for leadership and the board.

Leadership & Cross-Department Collaboration

• Serve as a member of the leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy and culture.
• Provide development insights for marketing, communications, and program strategy.
• Supervise development staff or contractors as the department grows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of fundraising experience with increasing responsibility.
• Proven track record of securing major gifts and meeting or exceeding revenue goals.
• Strong understanding of fundraising best practices, donor cultivation cycles, and philanthropic trends.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working with Haitians and a basic understanding of the culture and language.
• Experience with CRM/database management (e.g., Salesforce, Bloomerang, DonorPerfect).
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to Project Rouj’s mission.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and operational planning
• Relationship building and stakeholder management
• Data-driven decision making
• Leadership and team collaboration
• Exceptional communication and storytelling
• Project and time management



Working Conditions

• Full-time position with occasional evenings/weekends for events or donor meetings.
• Ability to travel locally as needed and to Fondwa, Haiti, when the country is open.