Development Director

Position Title: Director of Development

Reports to: Executive Director

Supervises: Donor Relations Manager (full-time) and Community Relations Specialist (part-time, 10 hours per week)

Position status: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), salaried/exempt; three days on campus, two days remote

Salary range: $72,000–$78,000 per year, commensurate with experience

Position Overview:

The Development Director leads Krempels Brain Injury Center’s philanthropy program and is accountable for the success of the overall development department. Working closely with the Executive Director, the Development Director develops and executes a comprehensive annual fundraising plan to meet an annual revenue goal of approximately $1 million, with targeted growth of 3–5% each year.

The Director personally leads corporate partnerships, events, and grants, and directs individual giving, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, and bequests, in partnership with the Donor Relations Manager. The Director is the organization’s lead fundraiser and relationship builder: a credible, warm ambassador for the Krempels community who inspires donors, partners, volunteers, and board members to invest in the mission.

Approximate Focus of Effort

• Corporate Partnerships and sponsorships: 35%
• Individual Giving (major gifts, annual giving, planned giving), in collaboration with the Donor Relations Manager: 30%
• Events: 20%
• Grants: 15%

Duties & Responsibilities:

Leadership and Strategy

• Create and execute the annual development plan with the Executive Director, with goals, timelines, and budgets for Corporate Partnerships, Events, Grants, and Individual Giving.
• Oversee revenue targets across all fundraising streams and track pipelines and progress against goals.
• Establish key performance indicators, benchmark performance against them, and report results regularly to the Executive Director and the Board.
• Supervise, coach, and set annual goals with the Donor Relations Manager and the Community Relations Specialist, ensuring clear roles and a coordinated team approach to donor engagement.

Corporate Partnerships

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate sponsors and partners, from local businesses to regional employers, building multi-year relationships.
• Develop sponsorship levels, benefit packages, and agreements, and ensure partners receive timely recognition and reporting on their impact.
• Work with the Community Relations Specialist to highlight corporate partners through marketing, social media, and community outreach.

Individual Giving

• Lead individual giving strategy, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving and bequests, in collaboration with the Donor Relations Manager, who supports donor stewardship, annual giving, and engagement.
• Personally manage a portfolio of major gifts and planned giving prospects: research, cultivate, solicit, and steward, with the Executive Director and board members as appropriate.
• Ensure all donors receive timely, personal acknowledgment and meaningful stewardship.

Events

• Plan and lead Krempels’ signature fundraising and donor cultivation events, managing timelines, budgets, marketing and program materials, applications, approvals, and forms.
• Serve as the main contact and liaison for contractors, vendors, and event committees.

Grants

• Identify and pursue foundation, government, and other grant opportunities; maintain a grants calendar; and prepare proposals, reports, and renewals, with the Executive Director and program staff as needed.

Capital Campaign

• In partnership with the Executive Director, Board, and Key Partners develop a capital campaign strategy and plan to enable the organization to move to a new location within the next few years.

Storytelling, Board, and Volunteers

• Develop the case for support and donor-facing materials, working with program staff to tell the stories of survivors and caregivers with respect and compelling prose.
• Engage, train, and support board members, staff, and volunteers in their fundraising and community engagement roles.

Data and Systems

• Ensure the donor management system (Little Green Light) is accurate and current for revenue and for event and community relations expenses, and work with the Accounting Coordinator on monthly reconciliation between Little Green Light and QuickBooks (the accounting system of record).
• Use donor data and reporting to evaluate results and adjust strategy.

Education & Related Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five or more years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, including corporate partnerships, individual giving or major gifts, events, and grants.
• Demonstrated success meeting or exceeding revenue goals.
• Experience supervising or coaching staff, interns, or volunteers preferred.
• Experience in health and human services, disability, or brain injury preferred.
• Experience developing and/or working on a Capital Campaign preferred.

Skills and Knowledge Required:

• Leads with integrity, emotional intelligence, and belief in and passion for the mission.
• Engaging and personable; builds rapport and trust quickly with donors, corporate leaders, survivors, caregivers, volunteers, and colleagues.
• Confident and comfortable making a personal ask and follows through with care and professionalism.
• Skilled and genuine listener who can tell the stories of others with compassion and clarity.
• Credible, enthusiastic ambassador who represents Krempels at community events, donor gatherings, and in the media.
• Able to work with and engage the Krempels community of brain injury survivors and their caregivers.
• Collaborative, flexible, and a motivating team leader.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to grammar, editing, and compelling prose.
• Strategic thinker who is also hands-on and detail-oriented; takes initiative and works independently.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to produce high-quality work in a busy environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and donor databases (Little Green Light a plus).
• Demonstrated social media and online design skills (for example, Canva, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn).

Work Environment / Physical Requirements:

• Routine office environment, with three days on campus and two days remote.
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends for events and donor activities.
• Must have your own transportation, a valid driver’s license, and adequate insurance.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

This job description summarizes the primary duties of the position and is not an exhaustive list. Other duties may be assigned.

Krempels Brain Injury Center is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

How to Apply

Interested candidates, please email your cover letter and resume to: [email protected] and include “Development Director” in the subject line. Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis.