Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development is responsible for leading, planning, and executing a comprehensive, long-term fundraising and development strategy for Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island (VIM HHI). This role is central to advancing the organization’s mission by securing sustainable financial support through diversified revenue streams, including major gifts, annual giving, grants, corporate partnerships, and special events.
The Director of Development provides strategic oversight of all fundraising functions while directly managing high-level donor relationships and key revenue initiatives. This position supervises the Director of Donor Relations and ensures a coordinated, donor-centered approach to cultivation, stewardship, and communications across the organization.
As a member of the VIM management team, the Director of Development collaborates closely with leadership, staff, the Board of Directors, and the Development Committee to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities and long-term goals.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Planning
· Develop, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive, multi-year development plan aligned with VIM’s mission and strategic priorities.
· Partner with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Development Committee to establish fundraising goals and monitor performance.
· Provide strategic direction across all development functions, ensuring integration of fundraising, donor relations, and communications.
· Identify and pursue new revenue opportunities and growth strategies.
Fundraising & Revenue Generation
· Lead and oversee all fundraising activities, including major gifts, annual giving, grants, corporate sponsorships, and campaigns.
· Maintain a personal portfolio of major donors and high-capacity prospects, with responsibility for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
· Support and guide the Director of Donor Relations in managing donor pipelines and engagement strategies.
· Ensure fundraising initiatives meet or exceed established revenue goals.
Donor Relations & Stewardship Oversight
· Provide strategic oversight of donor engagement and stewardship programs led by the Director of Donor Relations.
· Ensure consistent, high-quality donor experiences across all touchpoints.
· Collaborate with the Director of Donor Relations to establish donor segmentation, recognition programs, and retention strategies.
· Participate in stewardship of top-tier donors and key relationships.
Events & Community Engagement
· Oversee the strategy and effectiveness of fundraising events and engagement opportunities.
· Ensure events align with overall development goals and deliver strong return on investment.
· Represent VIM HHI in the community, cultivating relationships with donors, business leaders, and community partners.
Grants & Institutional Giving
· Oversee grant strategy, including identification of opportunities, proposal development, and reporting.
· Ensure compliance with all grant requirements and timelines.
· Maintain relationships with foundation and institutional funders.
Communications & Marketing
· Provide strategic direction to the Marketing Coordinator for all development-related communications.
· Partner with the Director of Donor Relations to ensure donor communications are compelling, consistent, and aligned with VIM’s brand and mission.
· Support messaging for campaigns, major gifts, and community engagement efforts.
Leadership & Team Management
· Directly supervise the development staff.
· Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance management to ensure a high-functioning development team.
· Foster collaboration across development functions, ensuring clear roles, accountability, and alignment.
· Support the recruitment, training, and engagement of development volunteers in partnership with staff.
Financial Management & Reporting
· Develop and manage the overall development budget, including revenue projections and expense tracking.
· Monitor fundraising performance and provide regular, data-driven reports to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and management team.
· Use analytics and performance metrics to inform strategy and continuous improvement.
Operations & Systems
· Ensure effective systems and processes are in place for donor tracking, reporting, and gift management.
· Oversee data integrity and utilization of fundraising CRM systems.
· Continuously improve development operations for efficiency and scalability.
Qualifications
Experience
· Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, with demonstrated leadership experience.
· Proven success in managing comprehensive fundraising programs and securing major gifts.
· Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional development efforts.
Education
· Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Skills & Competencies
· Strategic Leadership: Ability to set vision and drive results across multiple development functions.
· People Management: Experience supervising and developing staff, including senior-level roles.
· Relationship Management: Strong ability to cultivate high-level donor and community relationships.
· Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
· Project Management: Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities.
· Entrepreneurial Mindset: Proactive and innovative approach to fundraising growth.
· Collaboration: Skilled at working with executive leadership, board members, and community stakeholders.
· Technical Proficiency: Experience with fundraising CRM systems and standard office and communication tools.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
