Development Director

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, and regularly adjust strategies to ensure individual giving goals are met.