Director of Development

POSITION SUMMARY STATEMENT:

As a member of the Development team, the Director of Development leads the management of a portfolio of top corporate partners to achieve organizational fundraising goals. This role is responsible for cultivating, stewarding, and expanding high-value corporate relationships by deepening financial and mission-aligned support for UWCM. The Director builds and maintains strong relationships with key decision-makers and influencers within assigned accounts, identifying opportunities for increased investment, long-term partnership, and strategic engagement. Working closely with corporate partners and donors, the role oversees stewardship strategies, including year-round engagement touchpoints, recognition, and tailored fundraising initiatives, to ensure meaningful and sustained relationships. The Director of Development drives revenue growth by maximizing corporate giving through effective donor engagement, collaboration with staff and volunteers, and a strong focus on retention and growth of existing partners.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

60% Account Management

Manages a portfolio of key corporate and organizational partners, overseeing all aspects of fundraising and relationship development to increase donor engagement and revenue at both the company and individual levels. Provides strategic, high-touch account management, including engagement of executives, donors, prospects, and community leaders.

Develops and executes portfolio strategies to achieve annual revenue, retention, participation, and stewardship goals, with a focus on deepening partner relationships, increasing resources under management, and driving sustained philanthropic investment. Maintains accurate donor, company, and financial records in the Development CRM database and contributes to achievement of individual portfolio targets and overall fundraising goals.

30% Donor Stewardship & Corporate Engagement

As a member of the Development team, this role is centered on corporate engagement and donor and volunteer stewardship, with a strong emphasis on building meaningful relationships that deepen commitment to United Way’s mission. The position is responsible for supporting engagement and recognition experiences that thank, acknowledge, and connect donors and prospective donors to United Way’s work, cultivating long-term advocates within corporate partner organizations. By overseeing corporate engagement activities, including volunteerism, this role strengthens United Way’s value proposition, increases donor engagement, and supports growth in corporate and individual giving.

Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining a coordinated calendar of corporate engagement and stewardship activities; planning and managing new and existing donor engagement initiatives in collaboration with UWCM teams; ensuring timely follow-up, recognition, and ongoing stewardship; and representing and advancing UWCM’s mission through in-person presentations.

This role collaborates closely with Major Gifts and membership networks to identify, engage, and cultivate donors, strengthen donor relationships, and grow the donor pipeline. The position also leads best practices for cross-functional collaboration and communication to deliver high-quality, relationship-driven partner experiences.

10% Internal Development

Works closely with their supervisor to establish work plans to achieve annual revenue and donor stewardship objectives. Identifies development needs in line with UWCM goals and policies and promotes a cooperative spirit among coworkers and other partners.

The Director of Development participates, organizes, and leads in a cross-functional capacity while sharing learned experiences with the Development team.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s Degree and 5 years related experience in customer relationship management, marketing, communications and/or sales. High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is required. Knowledge and application of electronic pledging, tracking, and communications tools is a plus.

Language & Communications: Must be comfortable and adept in communicating with all levels of corporate partner staff, from front-line employees to executive management. Ability to develop and present high-quality presentations to a variety of group attendees and group sizes – from one-on-one to large meetings of 100+, in-person and virtually. Very strong verbal and written communication skills are required as is the ability to persuasively present UWCM messaging verbally and in writing, adeptly respond to questions, and act as a positive and professional representative of United Way.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to understand and calculate sales performance to goals. Ability to assess performance targets and potential opportunities, track, and report progress to goal.

Reasoning and Self-Management: Ability to analyze complex situations and identify the critical components and dynamics to design creative and appropriate responses with options and solutions. Ability to work effectively with different temperaments/work styles and to work independently and as a member of a team. Ability to manage issues and crisis calmly and effectively as necessary. Must be able to plan, organize and prioritize one's workload to maximize use of time and meet varied, multiple needs.

Leadership: Ability to hire, train, and grow direct reports skills and performance. Positive attitude and self-confidence. Very strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to assess issues and develop plans and tactics to address those issues. Willingness to step up and support organizational goals and needs outside specific job criteria.

Other Critical Skills: Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion and sound judgment to manage sensitive donors, internal and employee information. Must be highly organized with the ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Employee is regularly required to talk or hear; sit; use hands to finger, handle, and feel; and reach with hands and arms. Must be able to lift up to 40lbs and make verbal presentations to groups (between 10-200 people). Specific vision abilities required by this job include appropriate vision needed to drive as required for a valid driver’s license.