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Community Development Director Jobs in Seattle, WA

Cff

Senior Development Director

Seattle, WA

$94.20K - $117.60K/yr

The Senior Development Director develops and executes fundraising events, campaigns, and programs ... Ensure community engagement supports the wellbeing of people with CF. * Record and enter ...

BDO USA

Business Development Director

Seattle, WA · On-site

Sends business development plan, goals and progress report to direct supervisor * Upon completion ... community outreach, networking, sponsorships referral development, and other lead generation ...

BDO

Business Development Director

Seattle, WA

Sends business development plan, goals and progress report to direct supervisor * Upon completion ... community outreach, networking, sponsorships referral development, and other lead generation ...

Amara

Director of Development

Seattle, WA

Our work helps maintain family and community connections while preventing child welfare involvement ... The Director of Development is responsible for sustaining and implementing an established ...

Amara

Director of Development

Seattle, WA

Our work helps maintain family and community connections while preventing child welfare involvement ... The Director of Development is responsible for sustaining and implementing an established ...

Amara

Director of Development

Seattle, WA · On-site

Our work helps maintain family and community connections while preventing child welfare involvement ... The Director of Development is responsible for sustaining and implementing an established ...

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Community Development Director information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$53.5K

$147.3K

$242.4K

How much do community development director jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for community development director in Seattle, WA is $147,279.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,500.00 and $180,900.00 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.

More about Community Development Director jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Community Development jobs in Seattle, WA? The most popular types of Community Development jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What are popular job titles related to Community Development Director jobs in Seattle, WA? For Community Development Director jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Community Development Director jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Community Development Director jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Community Development Director jobs? Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Community Development Director job openings:
Community Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Community Development Director job openings in Seattle, WA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,279 per year, or $70.8 per hour.
Development Director (Contractor)

Development Director (Contractor)

Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association

Seattle, WA • On-site

Contractor

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Salary: $40,000.

Development Director (Contractor)

Contract Duration: December 2025 April 2026
Hours: 1520 hours/week
Compensation: $40,000$50,000 total contract
Location: On-site/in-person in Delridge, Seattle
Reports to: Executive Director

About DNDA

Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) integrates art, nature, and neighborhood to build and sustain a dynamic Delridge community where all people thrive. From stewarding the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center and Delridge Wetlands to advancing affordable housing, arts, and environmental education, DNDA stands as a model for community-led, place-based development in Southwest Seattle.

Position Summary

DNDA seeks an experienced, well-networked Development Director (Contractor) to serve as the organizations day-to-day fundraising implementor and strategist during a pivotal growth phase.
This role will strengthen DNDAs development systems, deepen relationships with funders, and prepare the organization for long-term sustainability through diversified fundraising and donor engagement strategies.

The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on someone who can connect with community, secure resources, and move projects forward with minimal supervision.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

  • Lead implementation of DNDAs fundraising and cultivation strategies, including individual giving, sponsorships, and foundation outreach.
  • Manage donor communications, acknowledgments, and cultivation activities.
  • Support preparation and follow-up for donor meetings and events, including DNDAs annual fundraiser and donor cultivation events.
  • Leverage personal and professional networks to open doors to corporate, philanthropic, and public funding partners.

Development Systems & Operations

  • Maintain and strengthen use of DNDAs CRM (Salesforce) for donor tracking, reporting, and stewardship.
  • Manage development communications tools (Mailchimp, Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint).
  • Create and maintain clear systems for donor prospecting, stewardship, and reporting.

Collaboration & Capacity Building

  • Work closely with DNDAs Executive Director, Board, and Development staff to cultivate a fundraising culture across the organization.
  • Provide coaching and support to staff in donor cultivation and stewardship.
  • Partner with DNDA leadership to align fundraising activities with strategic goals.

Qualifications (Essential / Non-Negotiables)


  • Local presence: Must work on-site and in person in the Delridge/Southwest Seattle community.

  • Experience: Minimum 10 years of proven success in nonprofit development and fundraising, including corporate sponsorships, major gifts, and grants.

  • Equity: Demonstrated experience working with and for under-served demographics and historically underinvested communities.

  • Network: Strong, established relationships across corporate, philanthropic, and public sectors in the Puget Sound region.

  • Independence: Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities with limited supervision.

  • Negotiation: Strong ability to advocate and negotiate on behalf of the organization.

  • Technical proficiency: Salesforce, Mailchimp, Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint.

Preferred Qualifications


  • Deep connection to the Delridge neighborhood or lived experience within the community.
  • Background in community development, arts, environment, or affordable housing.
  • Experience managing small teams or coaching emerging fundraisers.
  • Creative, resourceful, and comfortable working in evolving environments.
  • Business-minded and data-driven with a heart for community impact.

Cultural Fit

DNDAs team is collaborative, creative, and community-rooted.
Were looking for someone who is:

  • Resourceful, relational, and ready to roll up their sleeves.
  • Business-oriented yet deeply committed to community values.
  • Grounded, playful, and open to ambiguity.
  • Passionate about DNDAs mission and the people we serve.

Timeline


  • December 2025: Contract finalized and onboarding begins.

  • January 2025: Start date.

  • April 2025: Contract conclusion (with possible extention)