Director of Development

Posted 3 days ago

merraine groupScottsdale (AZ)

Fundraising Managers Civic and Social Organizations

SENIORITY

Manager

SALARY

$120,000–$160,000 annually

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About the role

This is an opportunity for an accomplished development leader to help shape the philanthropic foundation of a major new educational and cultural initiative. The Director of Development will lead fundraising strategy across a significant capital project, endowment, major gifts, annual giving, and institutional partnerships, while building the systems and relationships needed for long-term sustainability. Working closely with the Executive Director and Board, this leader will translate a compelling mission into meaningful philanthropic engagement and help establish a culture of philanthropy grounded in education, civic responsibility, and community impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Development & Capital Campaign: Partner with the Executive Director and Board to achieve multi-year capital, endowment, and operating fundraising goals. Lead strategy for principal and major gifts of $50,000+, including prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Develop campaign messaging, case statements, and donor materials aligned with the organization's mission and vision. Advise the Board on fundraising priorities, prospect strategy, and campaign progress. Develop strategies for sustaining philanthropic momentum beyond the anticipated 2027 opening.

Major Gifts & Donor Relations: Manage and grow a portfolio of high-capacity individual donors and prospects. Create personalized engagement strategies for major and principal gift opportunities. Oversee naming opportunities and donor recognition initiatives. Establish thoughtful stewardship practices that foster long-term donor relationships and reflect the significance of the mission.

Foundation & Corporate Engagement: Identify, cultivate, and solicit foundations and corporations whose priorities align with educational, civic, community, security, and capital initiatives. Oversee grant proposal development, submission, and reporting. Build and maintain long-term institutional partnerships.

Annual Giving & Community Fundraising: Develop annual giving strategies that increase donor participation and strengthen the fundraising pipeline. Lead community-based fundraising initiatives and special campaigns. Strengthen donor retention, engagement, and upgrade strategies.

Development Operations: Oversee the integrity and effective use of the organization's CRM and donor information systems. Establish fundraising metrics, dashboards, and reporting for leadership and Board review. Ensure adherence to nonprofit fundraising standards, policies, and ethical practices. Build scalable development processes and infrastructure to support organizational growth.

Team Leadership & Collaboration:

Supervise development staff, consultants, and external partners as appropriate.
Establish clear goals, accountability, and performance expectations.
Collaborate with Education, Marketing, Operations, and other teams to align fundraising priorities with programmatic objectives.
Qualifications & Experience8–12 years of progressive nonprofit development experience, preferably within a cultural, educational, historical, or other mission-driven organization.
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in nonprofit management, philanthropy, business, public administration, communications, Jewish studies, history, or a related field preferred.
Demonstrated success securing six- and seven-figure philanthropic commitments.
Meaningful capital campaign experience strongly preferred.
Strong understanding of major gifts, donor cultivation, stewardship, foundation relations, and development operations.
Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Experience working effectively with senior executives, Board members, and high-capacity donors.
CFRE or comparable professional credential is a plus.
A demonstrated respect for Holocaust history and the educational and ethical responsibilities associated with this work.
Key Competencies & Attributes
Strategic and analytical approach to fundraising
Exceptional relationship-building skills
Strong donor-centered communication
Executive presence and sound judgment
Entrepreneurial and solutions-oriented mindset
Collaborative leadership style
High degree of integrity and discretion
Strong organizational and project-management skills
Ability to balance long-term strategy with hands-on execution
Work Environment & Benefits
The Director of Development will work in person in Phoenix and join a growing organization preparing for a significant new chapter. The environment is collaborative, mission-focused, and highly relationship-driven, with opportunities to work across programs and functions.
The compensation range is $120,000–$160,000 annually, commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and professional development support.

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