Director of Development
Department: Development
Reports To: VP of Strategic Advancement
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
About The Zeiterion
The Zeiterion (The Z) is a nonprofit organization with a mission 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 values inform how 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’ll be part of a culture that supports creativity, collaboration, continuous learning, and inclusion. Learn more here: https://www.zeiterion.org
Position Summary
The Director of Development leads execution of the organization’s fundraising program, translating advancement priorities into actionable plans that 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.
Core Accountabilities
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.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Leadership & Revenue Management
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.
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.
Donor Pipeline, Major Gifts & Executive Engagement
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 contributors.
Institutional Giving Oversight
Oversee grant development, submission, and reporting processes.
Review and approve grant proposals and funder reports before executive review.
Monitor institutional fundraising pipelines and funding opportunity strategies.
Ensure compliance with grant requirements and reporting commitments.
Donor Engagement & Campaign Management
Oversee annual giving, donor engagement, fundraising campaigns, and donor stewardship initiatives.
Partner with Marketing & Communications to align fundraising messaging, storytelling, and donor communications.
Support planning and execution of donor events and engagement experiences.
Monitor campaign effectiveness and donor retention metrics.
Development Operations & Analytics
Ensure accurate donor records, gift processing, reporting, and data governance practices.
Oversee CRM management and fundraising reporting systems.
Review fundraising analytics and recommend improvements to performance and efficiency.
Monitor departmental processes, standards, and workflows.
Ensure compliance with fundraising policies and data management practices.
Team Leadership & Management
Supervise, coach, and develop Development staff.
Establish individual goals, work plans, and performance expectations.
Foster cross-functional collaboration and accountability.
Build team capacity through training, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.
Promote an equitable, inclusive, and values-aligned workplace culture.
Other duties as assigned
Decision-Making Authority
This role has final decision-making authority for:
Development work plans, fundraising priorities, and departmental workflows.
Donor portfolio assignments and fundraising pipeline management.
Campaign execution plans and stewardship activities.
Development department processes, systems, and reporting standards.
Fundraising performance metrics and operational improvements.
Staff supervision, performance expectations, and workload allocation.
Grant proposal and report approval prior to executive review.
Development vendor recommendations and operational expenditures within approved budgets.
Success Measures
Success in this role is demonstrated through:
Achievement of annual fundraising goals.
Growth in qualified prospects, donor touchpoints, cultivation moves, and donor pipeline performance.
Increased contributed revenue across giving streams.
Timely and accurate grant submissions and reporting.
Effective donor stewardship and engagement outcomes.
Reliable fundraising forecasts and performance reporting.
Strong staff engagement, development, and retention.
Continuous improvement of development processes and systems.
Growth in donor readiness for future leadership-level and multi-year giving initiatives.
Qualifications
Required:
7-12 years of relevant experience
Fundraising strategy execution
Donor pipeline development, major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Donor engagement and annual giving
Institutional fundraising and grants management
Development operations and CRM management
Data analysis and performance reporting
Project management and prioritization
Team leadership and staff development
Relationship building and communication
Commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and values-based fundraising
Preferred:
Experience with CRM platforms – Patron Manager or Salesforce
Arts & culture sector fundraising experience
Capital or endowment campaign experience
Experience in organizations of comparable budget/staff scale
Familiarity with planned giving strategies
Experience building donor relationships within immigrant or historically underrepresented communities
In addition to English, multilingual Spanish, Portuguese, Kriolu (Cape Verdean Creole), Haitian Creole, or K'iche
As the Development function grows, we anticipate this role evolving to include a deeper focus on major-gift portfolio management and donor pipeline strategy. We're looking for someone excited to grow with that trajectory
What We’re Looking For
In addition to relevant experience, we’re looking for a colleague who:
Brings a spirit of curiosity, creativity, and openness
Communicates with clarity, honesty, and care
Thrives in a collaborative, relationship-centered team
Shares our commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racism
Is excited to learn, grow, and imagine new ways forward
Our Workplace Culture
As part of your onboarding, you’ll be welcomed into a culture that reflects our values:
Imagination – We encourage creative problem-solving and fresh ideas from every level of the organization.
Connection – We work with empathy and respect, building strong relationships across teams.
Equity – We actively address inequities in our systems and strive for inclusive representation in all we do.
Transparency – We communicate openly, share information proactively, and make decisions with integrity.
Discovery – We support risk-taking and learning from mistakes as essential parts of growth.
We create a workplace where you can bring your full self, feel supported, and know your contributions matter.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
The Z is a collaborative work environment, and employees are expected to be open and willing to collaborate across departments and teams
The Zeiterion is on an active, and ongoing, journey to be anti-racist organization - advancing anti-racist policies and practices, and fostering and sustaining a culture that values community, social justice, and equity
Physical Requirements
The noise level in the work environment ranges from low to high
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods and occasionally required to stand, walk, and move throughout the building. The employee must be able to lift and carry up to 15 pounds occasionally (e.g., files, supplies). This position is primarily indoor office work, with occasional need to move between floors via stairs or elevator.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Background Check
Employment with The Zeiterion is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, including a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, in accordance with Massachusetts law and The Z's background check policy.
Equal Opportunity
The Z is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate equity and are committed to creating an inclusive, thriving environment for all employees including, but not limited to, a culture of antiracism in which we build policies, procedures, and a safe space for people from all backgrounds to feel safe and seen in our employ, in our seats and on our stage.
Benefits
Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, retirement plan with employer match, paid time off, professional development
Additional perks: Tickets to performances, wellness programs, remote and schedule flexibility.
How to Apply
Please apply through our applicant tracking system on The Z's Careers page: https://www.zeiterion.org/page/employment
The Z is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the application and interview process. If you need an accommodation to participate, please email [email protected] with the subject line "Accommodation Request," and we will work with you to identify an appropriate solution.
We deeply value diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe this diversity strengthens our institution and enriches our community. While we've outlined the qualifications and experience that we think will help someone thrive in this role, we also recognize that talent comes in many forms. If your background doesn’t perfectly align with every requirement, we still encourage you to apply - your unique perspective might be exactly what we need.
TO APPLY
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To be considered, please submit:
- Your resume
- A brief cover letter expressing your interest in the role
We deeply value working with individuals from a rich mix of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe this diversity strengthens our institution and enriches our community. While we've outlined the qualifications and experience that we think will help someone thrive in this role, we also recognize that talent comes in many forms. If your background doesn't perfectly align with every requirement, we still encourage you to apply - your unique perspective might be exactly what we need.
If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact careers@zeiterion.org or call 774-425-3413 x122.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Zeiterion is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate equity and are committed to creating an inclusive, thriving environment for all employees, including but not limited to a culture of antiracism in which we build policies, procedures, and a safe space for people from all backgrounds to feel safe and seen in our employ, in our seats, and on our stage. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status