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Community Development Director Jobs in Tennessee

Health Equity Alliance

Development Director

Nashville, TN · On-site

$70 - $75/hr

Deputy Director & CEO The Equity Alliance (TEA) and The Equity Alliance Fund (TEAF) are seeking a ... You are fluent in the language of wealth building, systems change, self-governance, and community ...

Collagedance

Director, Development

Memphis, TN · On-site

$85 - $130/hr

The Opportunity As our next Director of Development, you will lead Collage's fundraising program at ... Grow our donor community. Steward our base of annual individual donors, develop digital fundraising ...

Renewal House, Inc

Director of Development

Nashville, TN · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

About Renewal House Renewal House is a comprehensive substance use recovery community for women and ... Work with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Board Development Committee to create and implement ...

RISE Memphis, Inc.

Director of Development

Memphis, TN · On-site

$60/hr

Director of Development Location: 1355 Lynnfield St., Suite 101 Memphis, TN 38119 Status ... A partnership between the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, the Memphis Housing Authority ...

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All JobsCommunity Development JobsCommunity Development Director JobsCommunity Development Director Jobs in Tennessee

Community Development Director information

See Tennessee salary details

$42.7K

$117.5K

$193.3K

How much do community development director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for community development director in Tennessee is $117,460.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,800.00 and $144,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a community development director do?

A Community Development Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing programs and initiatives that promote the growth and improvement of a community. This role often involves working with local government, businesses, and residents to develop policies related to housing, land use, economic development, and public services. The director manages staff, secures funding, and ensures that projects align with the community’s goals and regulations. Their work helps create vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive communities.

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.

More about Community Development Director jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Community Development jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Community Development jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Community Development Director jobs in Tennessee?

For Community Development Director jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Community Development Director jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Community Development Director jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Community Development Director jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Community Development Director job openings:

Community Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Community Development Director job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,460 per year, or $56.5 per hour.

Development Director

Health Equity Alliance

Nashville, TN • On-site

$70 - $75/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy including grants, major gifts, individual donors, and events.

  • Build and manage the major gifts program, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

  • Build out and manage the fundraising infrastructure, systems, and processes, and oversee donor communications and reporting.

Job description

The Equity Alliance (501(c)(3)) & The Equity Alliance Fund (501(c)(4))
Location: Nashville, Tennessee (Hybrid)
Salary: $70,000-$75,000
Reports to: Deputy Director & CEO

The Equity Alliance (TEA) and The Equity Alliance Fund (TEAF) are seeking a strategic, values-aligned Fundraising Director to lead and grow our fundraising efforts across Tennessee. This role is responsible for building sustainable revenue streams through grants, major gifts, individual giving and donor stewardship.

At this moment, TEA is shifting from survival and resistance toward renaissance by building durable Black power rooted in economic justice, culture, and self-determination. The Fundraising Director plays a critical role in resourcing that work by building sustainable revenue streams and integrating fundraising seamlessly into our campaigns, events, and organizational culture.

This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who can think strategically while executing day-to-day, write strong grant proposals, cultivate major donors, strengthen individual giving, and build systems that scale. The Fundraising Director partners closely with leadership and program teams to ensure fundraising is relational, aligned, and impact-driven.

Key Responsibilities Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Growth
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes grants, major gifts, individual donors, and event-based revenue
  • Lead grant research, writing, submission, and reporting in alignment with organizational priorities
  • Build and manage a major gifts program, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Collaboration & Integration
  • Work closely with the Director of Strategy to ensure fundraising goals are integrated into all major events, programs, and campaigns
  • Partner with the Director of Culture and Strategy to embed fundraising into cultural activations and branded experiences
  • Support leadership in donor-facing meetings, presentations, and relationship-building
Department Building & Management
  • Build out and manage the fundraising infrastructure, systems, and processes
  • Supervise the Fundraising Coordinator and provide clear workflows and accountability
  • Maintain accurate donor records and reporting in the CRM
Stewardship & Accountability
  • Oversee donor communications, acknowledgments, and impact reporting
  • Track fundraising performance and provide regular updates to the Deputy Director
Who You Are in This Era
  • You understand that fundraising is not extraction. It is redistribution, alignment, and repair.
  • You see donors as co-investors in Black futures, not saviors.
  • You are fluent in the language of wealth building, systems change, self-governance, and community infrastructure
Soft Skills, Power & Presence
  • Charisma rooted in clarity and confidence.
  • Social influence that makes people want to belong to this work.
  • Swagger that communicates abundance, not scarcity.
  • Deep relational intelligence across race, class, and ideology.
How You Move the Work
  • Steward individual donors as long-term partners in Black renaissance.
  • Manage grants with a relationship-first mindset. Grants as relationships, not transactions.
  • Follow up like it's a love language. Trust depends on it.
  • Translate TEA's work and values into compelling, values-aligned narratives that funders can feel.
  • Work in close partnership with the executive leadership team to grow major gifts that fund scale, sustainability, and innovation.
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