Director of Development

Position Summary:

The Director of Development sits on the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the President & CEO, and leads the resource development function, sustaining current revenue streams with operational discipline while simultaneously opening new channels of support. The Director is a culture champion, partnership builder, and cross-functional convener who leads with influence as much as authority, holds a genuine calling to serve the world’s most vulnerable in the name of Jesus, and sees fundraising as an act of ministry and an invitation to life-changing partnership.

The ideal candidate is comfortable in a hybrid structure, both hierarchical and matrix, where staff members maintain clear reporting lines while, at times, contribute to projects led by other leaders inside the organization.

• Design and implement an integrated giving strategy spanning general, major gifts, mid-level, and planned giving, aligned with CI's strategic plan and revenue targets.
• Personally prospect, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of high-capacity donors, closing gifts at the major gift level ($25,000+).
• Partner closely with the President & CEO on donor engagement, providing research, briefings, proposal development, and follow-up.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to develop donor-facing materials, campaigns, and messaging that reinforce CI's brand identity and voice.

• Serve as a credible ambassador for Cross International, articulating mission, story, and impact with clarity in every external engagement.
• Cultivate relationships with church leaders and denominational networks across Florida, positioning Cross International as the partner of choice for global compassion ministry.
• Represent Cross International at ministry events, donor convenings, and community gatherings to expand visibility and deepen relationships.
• Identify and pursue U.S.
  
  -wide partnerships with Christian organizations, church networks, and DAF sponsors to amplify Cross International’s reach.
• Secure speaking engagements for the CEO and other Cross International Leaders to enhance Cross International's positioning.

• In collaboration with the Foundations Manager, identify, cultivate, and submit proposals to domestic and international foundations.
• Build a corporate giving program that develops relationships with Florida-based and national companies, securing sponsor ships, employee giving campaigns, matching gift programs, and cause-marketing partnerships.
• Develop GIK relationships with corporations and donors able to provide goods, services, and in‑kind resources that support Cross International’s field programs.
• Explore and develop emerging revenue channels, including church giving programs, denominational partnerships, community foundation grants, and faith‑based impact investment models.

• Actively participate in Cross International’s daily devotional and spiritual practices.
• Evaluate and improve systems, including CRM platforms, gift processing workflows, and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure compliance with ECFA standards, IRS regulations, DAF policies, GIK valuation standards, and Cross International’s financial accountability framework.
• Drive data‑informed decision‑making, ensuring dashboards and KPIs are accurate, timely, and regularly reviewed against the strategic plan.
• Foster rigor and excellence in established operations while remaining nimble and willing to pivot when the mission demands it.

• Lead a cross‑functional development working group that unites Programs, Marketing & Communications, Finance, and Operations around shared priorities, information flow, and coordinated resource development.
• Serve as a development thought partner to the President & CEO and senior leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy, annual planning cycles, and direct engagement with the…