Development Director

Schedule:
Full-time (40 hours/week), hybrid (Houston-based)

Reports To: Executive Director

Salary: Commensurate with experience

At Writers in the Schools (WITS), we believe storytelling reveals our truest selves, that creativity prepares children for a successful future. To that end, our mission is to connect children and youth with professional writers and spoken word artists to unlock the joy and power of storytelling and creative expression. Our vision is that all young people will possess the skills and confidence to share their stories, experiences, and ideas with the world.

The Development Director serves as the strategic leader of WITS’ revenue efforts, overseeing contributed income and partnering with the Executive Director to align earned and contributed revenue strategies.

This role is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising plan; cultivating major donor and institutional relationships; activating board engagement in fundraising; and building systems that strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

The Development Director is both relational and analytical—comfortable cultivating major gifts while also managing pipeline forecasting, revenue tracking, and strategic planning.

• Develop and implement an annual and multi-year revenue plan aligned with WITS’ strategic priorities
• Partner with the Executive Director to align earned revenue (after‑school, school partnerships, summer camps) and contributed revenue strategies
• Lead revenue forecasting, pipeline management, and reporting to support informed decision‑making
• Monitor and evaluate fundraising performance relative to goals

• Serve as primary relationship manager for major individual donors and select institutional funders
• Lead strategy for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Oversee foundation and corporate grant strategy, including proposal development and reporting in collaboration with program staff
• Identify and cultivate new funding opportunities across individuals, foundations, and corporate partners
• Develop and implement strategies to engage board members in fundraising and relationship‑building
• Support the Development Committee with clear goals, reporting, and cultivation plans
• Provide coaching and tools to strengthen board participation in revenue efforts

• Oversee strategy and execution of the annual gala and other fundraising events as part of the broader revenue plan
• Evaluate event ROI and ensure alignment with long‑term fundraising goals
• Collaborate with communications to ensure cohesive donor messaging

• Maintain accurate CRM records and donor data integrity (Salesforce or equivalent)
• Implement and manage moves management systems
• Develop fundraising dashboards and regular reporting cadence
• Ensure consistent donor communications and stewardship practices
• Supervise and support the Grants Manager/Writer and Development Coordinator, providing clear direction, accountability, and professional development
• Establish clear goals and performance expectations aligned with organizational revenue priorities
• Conduct regular check‑ins and annual performance evaluations
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and high‑performing development team culture
• Ensure workload alignment, cross‑functional coordination, and clarity of roles
• Model steady communication, responsiveness, and professionalism across the team

• Bachelor’s Degree (Required)
• 5+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including major gift development (Required)
• Demonstrated success managing or contributing to annual fundraising targets of $1M+Experience developing and executing strategic fundraising plans
• Strong relationship‑building skills with individuals, foundations, and corporate partners
• Experience engaging board members in fundraising efforts
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of the Houston philanthropic landscape is highly preferred
• Ability to travel throughout the Houston area; reliable transportation required

• Strategic thinker with strong analytical…