Development Director

Position Title: Development Director
Location: Remote
Reports To: VP of Advancement
FLSA Code: Exempt
Organizational Size: 20–35 staff
Compensation: $104,000 – $118,000

The Development Director leads and executes comprehensive fundraising strategies that advance the American Alpine Club's mission and long-term sustainability. Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement, this role is both strategic and hands‑on — responsible for designing and implementing AAC's development strategy and tactics across individual giving, planned giving, corporate partnerships, and foundation and grants support, while personally managing a portfolio of major donors.

The Development Director oversees a Development team of two.

This position is directly responsible for approximately $2 million in annual revenue. The Development Director oversees all philanthropic revenue streams, strengthens donor stewardship practices and development systems, and plays a central role in expanding AAC's philanthropic capacity in alignment with its strategic priorities.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, relationship‑driven fundraiser and leader with demonstrated success across multiple giving channels. They bring strong planning and organizational skills, a donor‑centered mindset, and the ability to work collaboratively across teams. Experience in the outdoor, recreation, or conservation sectors is a plus but not required.

• Design and execute a comprehensive development strategy aligned with AAC's strategic priorities and annual revenue targets.
• Drive revenue growth across individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, and grants — identifying and pursuing opportunities to diversify and expand fundraising streams.
• Develop, document, and refine policies and procedures to ensure clarity, efficiency, and accountability across Development.
• Build and manage the development budget; lead revenue forecasting, tracking, and compliance reporting in partnership with Finance and Operations.
• Set clear performance targets and timelines for each giving channel and implement dashboards and metrics to assess progress and adjust strategies in real time.

• Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of the AAC’s individual giving program, including annual giving, mid‑level and major donor engagement, planned giving, and direct response campaigns, with responsibility for achieving annual revenue and pipeline goals.
• Manage, coach, and support the Individual Giving Officer, providing clear priorities, goals, portfolio strategy, and accountability while ensuring effective coordination between annual, mid‑level, and major giving efforts.
• Maintain a personal portfolio of high‑value major donors and prospects, with direct responsibility for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, including personally making and closing five‑ and six‑figure gifts and developing multi‑year and transformational giving opportunities.
• Develop and oversee a comprehensive donor stewardship strategy that strengthens relationships, increases retention, creates opportunities for donor upgrades, and drives sustainable year‑over‑year growth in individual giving.
• Develop compelling philanthropic opportunities and donor strategies that connect individual donors with AAC priorities, including grants, programs, facilities, publications, and other organizational needs.
• Guide the development of donor‑facing materials, including proposals, impact reports, stewardship communications, and solicitation materials, ensuring they clearly communicate the AAC’s mission, impact, and opportunities for philanthropic investment.
• Use fundraising data and portfolio metrics to monitor performance, identify gaps and opportunities,…