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Community Development Director Jobs in Rhode Island

... Director, Development), and in collaboration with the Major Gifts and Annual Giving staff, and/or ... Instill Trust and Value Differences Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate RESPONSIBILITIES:

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Community Development Director information

See Rhode Island salary details

$46K

$126.7K

$208.6K

How much do community development director jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for community development director in Rhode Island is $126,738.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,500.00 and $155,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Community Development Director Do?

A community development director manages and directs planning and management initiatives for a city organization or community, such as an elderly residential community. As a community development director, your job duties include working closely with community partners, such as businesses, community organizations, and the public, to develop strategies for improving economic, architectural, and community initiatives while preserving neighborhood or community cohesion. You also monitor programs and budgets for department initiatives. Qualifications for this career include a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, education, or public administration as well as several years of experience in public policy and planning and communication and leadership skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Community Development Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Community Development Director, you need strong expertise in urban planning, project management, and a relevant degree such as public administration or urban studies. Familiarity with land use regulations, GIS systems, and grant management software is typically required. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills set top candidates apart in this role. These abilities are crucial for effectively guiding community initiatives, securing funding, and balancing the needs of diverse populations.

What are some common challenges a Community Development Director faces when balancing the needs of various stakeholders?

A Community Development Director often navigates competing interests from local government, residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Balancing these diverse perspectives requires strong communication, negotiation, and consensus-building skills. Directors must ensure that development projects align with community goals while adhering to regulatory requirements and budget constraints. Proactively engaging stakeholders through public meetings and transparent processes helps address concerns and fosters collaboration, though it can be time-consuming and complex.

What is the difference between Community Development Director vs Urban Planner?

AspectCommunity Development DirectorUrban Planner
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration, or related field; often requires experience in community developmentBachelor's or master's degree in urban planning, geography, or related field; certification like AICP is common
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, non-profits, community organizationsMunicipal planning departments, consulting firms, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageLocal governments, non-profits, development agenciesCity planning departments, private consulting firms, government agencies

The Community Development Director focuses on overseeing community growth, housing, and economic development initiatives, often managing teams and programs. Urban Planners primarily analyze land use, develop zoning policies, and create urban designs. While both roles require planning expertise and work within government or related sectors, the Community Development Director has a broader leadership role in community projects, whereas Urban Planners focus more on land use and spatial planning.

What are the most commonly searched types of Community Development jobs in Rhode Island? The most popular types of Community Development jobs in Rhode Island are:
What are popular job titles related to Community Development Director jobs in Rhode Island? For Community Development Director jobs in Rhode Island, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Rhode Island are hiring for Community Development Director jobs? Cities in Rhode Island with the most Community Development Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Community Development Director job openings in Rhode Island as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 75% Physical, 15% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,738 per year, or $60.9 per hour.

Development and Donor Engagement Coordinator

Martin Luther King Community Center Incorporated

Newport, RI • On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

JOB TITLE: Development and Donor Engagement Coordinator

EMPLOYER: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center

DEPARTMENT: Development

REPORTS TO: Director of Development

EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/11/2026

SUMMARY:

The Development and Donor Engagement Coordinator (DDE) is a key contributor within a small, high-functioning team advancing the mission, vision, and values of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. Reporting to the Director of Development and working closely with the Marketing & Communications Coordinator, this role supports fundraising operations, donor stewardship, and the successful execution of giving campaigns.

This is a hands-on, fully onsite non-exempt position in a busy department with multiple priorities and deadlines. The ideal candidate is a proactive, flexible, detail-oriented professional who enjoys and excels in taking ownership of projects, collaborating closely with teammates, and contributing to a mission-driven environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Donor Database and Reporting

  • Manage and maintain accurate donor records in the organization’s CRM database, Bloomerang.
  • Prepare regular and ad hoc fundraising reports, including donor trends, stewardship activity, and campaign performance.
  • Ensure data integrity through routine audits, data cleanup, and consistent data entry practices.
  • Assist the Office Administrator as needed with gift processing, reconciliation, and tracking of donor acknowledgments.

Donor Prospecting and Stewardship

  • Manage timely donor stewardship communications and coordinate stewardship efforts for donors up to $1,000 annually, with an emphasis on retention, appreciation, and engagement.
  • Conduct prospect research.
  • Support donor segmentation and communication strategies in collaboration with the Director of Development.

Fundraising and Giving Campaigns

  • Coordinate the organization’s participation in key giving initiatives, including 401Gives and Giving Tuesday and external events including the Newport Marathon and Pell Bridge Run.
  • Manage campaign timelines, donor tracking, and post-campaign reporting.
  • Collaborate closely with the Marketing and Communications Coordinator to support donor outreach and consistent messaging.

• Provide administrative and project support with additional fundraising activities as needed, including occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This position has no employee supervisory responsibilities; this position may supervise interns and volunteers, as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a nonprofit fundraising / development sector.
  • Demonstrated proficiency using donor databases/CRMs including email marketing tools; Bloomerang experience strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Excellent attention to detail and follow-through.
  • Superb written and verbal communication.
  • Proven ability to work independently while also being a collaborative, team-oriented professional.
  • Willingness to work fully onsite and maintain a flexible schedule as needed.
  • Passion for the MLK Community Center’s mission.

COMPETENCIES:

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Attendance and Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Continually required to speak and hear; use keyboards and computer screens.

• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and utilize hand and finger dexterity.

• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl; occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required: close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

• Specialized equipment, machines, or vehicles used: DLSR camera, cell phone camera and video