Director of Development

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer and Chief of Staff

Department: Development

Status: Full-Time | Exempt

Schedule: Approximately 40 hours/week

Location: Hybrid

Afya seeks an experienced, strategic, and collaborative Director of Development to lead and strengthen the organization’s fundraising and external engagement efforts. Reporting to the CEO as well as the Chief of Staff, the DOD will provide strategic oversight of the development function and manage fundraising infrastructure/systems. An opportunity to grow a flourishing team aligned with the DOD's vision, bringing Afya to new heights.

This role is designed for a senior fundraising professional who excels at building sustainable development operations and aligning fundraising strategy with organizational growth goals. The CDO will serve as the strategic leader of the department while ensuring strong internal systems, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.

The Development Department currently includes:

• Communications Manager
• CRM Consultant
• Part-Time Development Specialist
  -Consultant

The ideal candidate brings deep nonprofit fundraising expertise, strong management skills, and the ability to operate effectively in a lean, mission-driven environment.

• Develop and oversee implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with organizational priorities and revenue goals.
• Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors on fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and institutional positioning.
• Provide strategic leadership across major gifts, institutional partnerships, annual giving, campaigns, stewardship, and communications.
• Establish annual development goals, benchmarks, and performance metrics.

• Supervise and support development team members through coaching, accountability, and professional development.
• Build and maintain strong development systems, workflows, policies, and operational practices.
• Ensure effective donor pipeline management, moves management processes, and portfolio accountability.
• Oversee fundraising reporting, forecasting, dashboards, and departmental planning.
• Oversee CRM utilization, donor data integrity, and gift tracking systems.
• Ensure scalable fundraising procedures and infrastructure to support organizational growth.
• Support the Major Gifts Officer in managing a robust donor portfolio and pipeline strategy.
• Guide partnership development efforts with corporations, foundations, and institutional funders.
• Review and advise on donor communications, proposals, stewardship materials, and fundraising campaigns; including annual appeals etc.
• Conceive and partner with development team members on all cultivation and major events such as gala and dinner parties.
• Review and advise on all external organizational communications.
• Identify opportunities for revenue diversification and long-term donor engagement.

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO on external relations and philanthropic growth.
• Support board development and fundraising engagement efforts.
• Prepare development updates, reports, and strategic analyses for leadership and board meetings.
• Assist in cultivating high-level donor, governmental and institutional relationships as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience required.
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, including senior leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated success overseeing development functions in small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations.
• Strong experience in fundraising operations and systems, and team leadership.
• Knowledge of major gifts strategy, donor stewardship, institutional funding, and…