Director of Development

Academy For Urban School Leadership

$110K — $115K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree required;
  • 5+ years of frontline fundraising experience with major gifts;
  • Proven executive presence to engage senior donors;
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills;
  • Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously;
  • Proficient in CRM software, preferably Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge;
  • Strong Microsoft Office skills, including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.

Responsibilities

  • Manage and grow a portfolio of individual and corporate donors;
  • Drive day-to-day development operations with strong systems;
  • Maintain accurate CRM data and execute tailored engagement strategies;
  • Support donor strategy and proposals for organizational leaders;
  • Prepare executives for donor meetings with thorough briefings;
  • Attend donor meetings and ensure seamless relationship continuity;
  • Represent AUSL at donor meetings and cultivation events;
  • Support planning and execution of donor-facing events;
  • Collaborate with the Communications team for aligned content.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work schedule for flexibility
  • Paid time off, sick time, and holidays
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(b) retirement savings plan with annual matching
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Parental leave and family support options
  • Professional growth plans and development opportunities
Full Job Description
Job Type

Full-time

Description

Role Overview

The Director of Development will be a member of the Development Team, reporting to the Chief Development Officer. They will act as both a leader within the organization and an outward-facing representative of it. The Director of Development plays a critical role in sourcing, securing, and maintaining funding for AUSL's projects and programs by managing and growing a portfolio of donors. They will actively steward existing donor relationships towards increased engagement and investment in AUSL's work, and deepen the pipeline of new donors, with a focus on individuals and corporations, in pursuit of annual fundraising goals.

The successful candidate is detail-oriented, self-motivated, and has a proven ability to independently manage and advance their portfolio. They are also a mission-driven team player who actively champions collective success, readily embracing new responsibilities and cross-functional challenges as our organization grows.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities
  • Manage and grow a portfolio of individual and corporate donors and prospects, cultivating relationships that result in five- and six-figure gifts in support of AUSL's mission and strategic priorities;
  • Drive day-to-day development operations with rigor and discipline, ensuring strong systems for pipeline management, stewardship, and reporting;
  • Demonstrate strong portfolio management by maintaining accurate CRM data, managing donor movement, and executing tailored engagement strategies for donors at each stage of the giving cycle to consistently advance fundraising goals against measurable benchmarks;
  • Serve as a thought partner and strategic accelerant for the CDO and Executive Director, supporting high-stakes donor strategy, proposals, and engagement that help organization leaders further AUSL's philanthropic muscle;
  • Prepare the CDO and Executive Director for donor meetings by creating thorough briefings;
  • Attend donor meetings with executive leadership, as needed, capturing key takeaways and owning all post-meeting follow-up to ensure seamless relationship continuity;
  • Represent AUSL externally at donor meetings, site visits, cultivation events and networking opportunities;
  • Support the planning and execution of donor-facing events, including but not limited to the annual Benefit Dinner, and other stewardship events.
  • Support the development and refinement of case statements, donor materials, impact reports, and stewardship experiences;
  • Partner with the Communications team to ensure donor-facing content is compelling and aligned with AUSL's brand and messaging;
  • Collaborate effectively across AUSL teams and departments to ensure coordinated fundraising execution.


Benefits
  • Hybrid work schedule that provides flexibility for both onsite and remote work, consistent with the operational needs and responsibilities of the role
  • Paid time off, sick time and holidays
  • Medical Insurance - Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Short-Term Disability
  • Long-Term Disability
  • 403(b) Retirement Savings - Annual Matching
  • Flex Spending Account - Medical
  • Flex Spending Account - Dependent Care
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Parental Leave
  • Accidental Insurance
  • Perks at Work Discounts
  • Annual Professional Growth Plans


Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree;
  • Five or more years of significant frontline fundraising experience with the executive presence to engage senior donors and a documented history of securing major gifts ($100K+);
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate the work into compelling donor-facing narratives, with strong proofreading instincts and a high bar for quality in all written work products;
  • Effective oral communication skills backed by a demonstrated customer service orientation and ability to build relationships with multiple stakeholders;
  • Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, exercising sound judgment to advance priorities and move work forward without requiring close direction;
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously, maintaining rigor and follow-through across each;
  • Ability to work as a nimble member of a team, and to answer the call to new responsibilities and requests as the team's work and organization's needs evolve;
  • Demonstrates AUSL's core values and thrives in a collaborative environment;
  • Experienced in using CRM software - Salesforce or Raiser's Edge preferred;
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office suite of programs including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.


Salary Description

$110,000 to $115,000

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