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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..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 fundraising objectives, 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.
• Identifygrowth 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…