Director of Development

Directly Manages:Manager, Donor Engagement;

Associate, Development Operations;
Associate, Grants Coordination

Employment Type:Full-Time

FLSA Classification:Exempt

Location:Hybrid, New Bedford, MA

Salary Range:$70,000 - $98,000

Posting Date:8/26/26

The Zeiterion(The Z) is a nonprofit organization with amission to steward our historic theater as a gathering place for performing arts experiences where learning, connection, and creative expression thrive.

Our work is guided by five core values:

Imagination, Connection, Equity, Transparency, and Discovery.

These valuesinformhow we deliver on our mission and how we work together every day.

We are committed to cultivating a workplace where all individuals feel respected, valued, and are encouraged to contribute. As a team member,you’llbe part of a culture that supports creativity, collaboration, continuous learning, and inclusion.

Learn more here:https://www.zeiterion.org

The Director of Development leads execution of the organization’s fundraising program, translating advancement priorities into actionable plansthat drive contributed revenue, donor engagement, and long-term pipeline growth.

The Director manages development staff, fundraising operations, individual and institutional giving, stewardship, campaigns, and prospect management, ensuring internal systems support consistent donor relationship-building and fundraising momentum.

The role balances operational leadership with regular donor-facing activity, portfolio management, and partnership with the Vice President and CEO to advance high-value donor relationships.

This is a pivotal moment for the organization's philanthropic growth, with an emphasis on building long-term giving capacity and donor readiness for future organizational priorities.

This role is ultimately accountable for:

• Growing annual contributed revenue through individual giving, membership, leadership gifts, and major gifts.
• Executing fundraising plans, forecasts, and performance metrics that support organizational growth goals.
• Increasing donor acquisition, retention, renewal, and donor upgrades through data-informed fundraising strategies.
• Expanding leadership and major gift giving through strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Managing fundraising performance across individual, institutional, event, and campaign-based giving programs.
• Building, qualifying, and advancing a strong donor and prospect pipeline,with an eye toward long-term giving capacity and multi-year commitment strategies.
• Ensuring donors experience meaningful, personalized, and mission-driven engagement with the organization.
• Strengthening staff capacity through supervision, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Monitoring fundraising trends, results, and key performance indicators and making recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Creating an inclusive, relationship-centered fundraising culture aligned with organizational values.

• Develop and implement annual fundraising plans aligned with organizational revenue goals.
• Establish fundraisingobjectives, performance measures, and benchmarks across all giving programs.
• Monitor revenue performance and pipeline activity, adjusting strategies as needed.
• Manage fundraising calendars, campaign schedules, and stewardship initiatives.
• Identify growth opportunities across individual, institutional, and corporate giving programs.
• Prepare regular fundraising forecasts and revenue reports for organizational leadership.
• Support long-range donor readiness planning in partnership with the VP and CEO, including cultivation strategies for future leadership-level and multi-year giving opportunities.
• Build and manage a strong donor and prospect pipeline, with emphasis on identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and advancing relationships toward increased giving.
• Manage a focused portfolio of mid-level and selected major gift donors and prospects, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship where appropriate.
• Develop donor strategies that clarify the role of the Director, Vice President, CEO, board members, and other relationship holders in advancing major gift opportunities.
• Prepare and activate the Vice President and CEO for major donor meetings, solicitations, stewardship conversations, and follow-up.
• Coordinate timely next steps, documentation, and relationship management activity to ensure prospects continue moving through the pipeline.
• Ensure meaningful stewardship and engagement opportunities for…