Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Director oversees all fundraising and stewardship efforts, including major gifts, and leads the creation, execution, and evaluation of strategic fundraising initiatives to advance the agency’s mission by cultivating donor relationships, securing diverse revenue streams, and driving sustainable growth. This position has two direct reports.
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Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Proven track record of at least 5 years in fundraising, donor relations, or development leadership roles, preferably in a statewide or mission-driven nonprofit
- Strong leadership and ability to inspire and collaborate
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to cultivate
- A passion for our mission and the ability to communicate that passion to others
Desired Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a relevant field or certification in fundraising (e.g., CFRE)
- Familiarity with New Jersey’s demographics and philanthropic landscape
- Strong experience in writing and securing large-scale grants
Responsibilities
A. Fundraising & Revenue Generation
Donor Prospecting, Cultivation, and Stewardship- Conducts research to identify new donor prospects and segments based on capacity and affinity
- Maintains a dynamic prospect pipeline and uses data to prioritize outreach
- Regularly engages in qualification meetings and donor discovery
- Prepares tailored cultivation and stewardship plans
- Leads donor meetings and builds lasting relationships through thoughtful engagement and follow-up
- Customizes stewardship to align with donor motivations
- Crafts individualized strategies for major gift donors
- Conducts major gift solicitations and consistently closes major gifts
- Prepares materials and donor briefings with attention to alignment and impact
- Researches and identifies foundation grant opportunities
- Develops and manages a grants calendar to ensure timely submissions and follow-ups
- Writes compelling proposals, compiles program and financial data, and completes all reporting requirements accurately
- Creates, implements, and evaluates a year-round fundraising plan
- Oversees fundraising campaigns using segmentation, personalization, and KPIs
- Continuously refines strategies based on data and donor feedback
B. Communications & Outreach
Storytelling & Case for Support- Collaborates effectively with the Communications Department to develop and communicate a compelling case for support tailored to diverse audiences
- Integrates storytelling, data, and impact metrics in donor communications
- Represents the organization at community events and builds partnerships to elevate visibility and fundraising opportunities
- Leverages networks and community relationships to drive philanthropic engagement
C. Organizational Leadership
Strategic Planning- Participates in organizational strategic planning and sets measurable fundraising goals.
- Develops multi-year revenue projections and adjusts strategies proactively based on results
- Delegates tasks with clarity and provides coaching
- Leads productive meetings and fosters a collaborative, mission-driven team culture
D. Systems, Data & Operations
Data & CRM Management- Maintains accurate donor records and uses CRM tools for segmentation, donor journey mapping, and reporting
- Analyzes giving trends and uses a data-based method to inform strategy
- Collaborate with the Operations Director to craft and monitor the department budget, and ensure donor intent is honored
- Documents and refines internal fundraising processes for consistency and efficiency
- Uses technology and systems to manage deadlines, enhance productivity, and anticipate operational needs
Universal Responsibilities
- Maintain knowledge of and compliance with the agency’s Personnel Manual
- Maintain all relevant professional standards, including ethics and confidentiality and all applicable certifications and licenses
- Engage in professional development activities
- Provide outstanding customer service
- Collaborate with other departments on various projects to support the agency’s mission
- Represent Autism New Jersey in the community where appropriate
- Participate in agency events and other activities as directed
Notes
This is a 40-hour-per-week position that is exempt from rules. The work week is typically Monday – Friday 8am-5pm and subject to approval by the Executive Director. The schedule may occasionally include weekends and evenings and may vary depending on the agency’s needs.
Benefits Include:
- Hybrid work opportunity
- Medical/dental insurance
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- SIMPLE IRA with up to a 3% match
- An inspiring and passionate team that values compassion, collaboration, and impact