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Development Director Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

Bigelow Tea

Director, Research & Development

Fairfield, CT · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

Director, Research and Development Work Location: Fairfield Division/Department: Marketing Reports to: Vice President, Marketing and R&D Status: Full‑time | Exempt Position Summary At Bigelow Tea ...

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Development Director information

See Connecticut salary details

$38.5K

$87.9K

$147.4K

How much do development director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for development director in Connecticut is $87,885.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,600.00 and $103,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a development director do?

A Development Director is responsible for overseeing fundraising and resource development efforts within an organization, typically a nonprofit. They create and implement strategies to secure financial support, manage donor relationships, lead fundraising campaigns, and often supervise development staff. Their goal is to ensure the organization has the funding needed to achieve its mission and objectives. Development Directors also work closely with executive leadership and the board of directors to align fundraising goals with the organization's overall strategy.

What does a development director do?

A development director is responsible for fundraising strategies and initiatives to help promote the business and operations of nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and hospitals. As a development director, your job duties include reaching out to potential benefactors, maintaining relationships with existing donors, devising new strategies for fundraising, and organizing fundraising events. These events may consist of benefit concerts, dinners, parties, and special events. Collaborating with company management is also a regular part of your job. Depending on the organization, your exact duties may vary.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a development director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Development Director, you need expertise in fundraising strategy, donor relations, and nonprofit management, often supported by a relevant degree or CFRE certification. Familiarity with donor management systems (like Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge) and CRM platforms is typically required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills set top performers apart in this role. These abilities are crucial for driving organizational growth, securing funding, and building lasting partnerships essential to the nonprofit’s mission.

How does a development director typically collaborate with other departments to achieve organizational goals?

A Development Director frequently works cross-functionally with teams such as marketing, finance, and program management to align fundraising strategies with organizational objectives. This collaboration often involves coordinating on campaigns, sharing donor insights, and ensuring consistent messaging across platforms. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential, as the Development Director serves as a bridge between departments to maximize impact and foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.

What is the difference between Development Director vs Fundraising Manager?

AspectDevelopment DirectorFundraising Manager
Primary FocusOversees overall fundraising strategies, donor relations, and development initiativesExecutes specific fundraising campaigns and manages donor outreach
ResponsibilitiesStrategic planning, team leadership, major gift cultivationEvent planning, donor communication, campaign execution
CredentialsBachelor’s or Master’s in Nonprofit Management, Fundraising, or related fields; experience in leadership rolesBachelor’s degree; experience in fundraising or development roles often preferred
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, charities, educational institutionsNonprofit organizations, charities, fundraising agencies

The Development Director typically holds a strategic leadership role, overseeing the entire development department and long-term fundraising goals. In contrast, the Fundraising Manager focuses on executing specific campaigns and managing day-to-day donor activities. Both roles require similar credentials and work in similar environments, but the Development Director has broader responsibilities and higher-level oversight.

More about Development Director jobs

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

The most popular types of Development jobs in Connecticut are:

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

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

What cities in Connecticut are hiring for Development Director jobs?

Cities in Connecticut with the most Development Director job openings:

Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Director job openings in Connecticut as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,885 per year, or $42.3 per hour.

Director, Research & Development

Bigelow Tea

Fairfield, CT

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Bigelow Tea is the number one specialty tea company in the United States. We are a family-owned and operated business and a Certified B Corporation. Being a certified B Corp officially recognizes a commitment that has been part of the company’s DNA since it was founded 80 years ago. Our purpose has always been about much more than making profits. We are committed to good citizenship, ethical business practices, accountability, transparency, protecting the environment, sustainability and supporting our communities. We pride ourselves in caring about each and every one of our employees. We have a long-term outlook and are constantly working to create an environment that inspires people to make positive contributions every day. Bigelow is currently looking for a select, talented individual, that shares our values, to join our growing team. 

Job Title: Director, Research and Development

Work Location: Fairfield
Division/Department: Marketing
Reports to: Vice President, Marketing and R&D
Status: Full-time | Exempt

Position Summary

At Bigelow Tea, product is at the heart of everything we do. The Director of Product Development will lead how we bring that commitment to life, evolving our core tea offerings while helping expand into new usage occasions and consumers.

This role is responsible for turning ideas into exceptional products, grounded in strong formulation, deep manufacturing understanding, and a relentless focus on quality. Working closely with Marketing, this leader will provide critical product and technical input to shape innovation, while owning the development and scale-up of products.

Equally important, this person will build and lead a team that operates with curiosity, accountability, and pride in craft.

Key ResponsibilitiesProduct Development
  • Lead the development of new and existing products from concept through scale-up, ensuring they meet Bigelow’s high standards for quality, taste, and consistency
  • Translate innovation briefs into well-developed, technically sound products
  • Provide practical, experience-based input into product concepts based on feasibility, ingredients, and performance
  • Ensure every product reflects the Bigelow brand—thoughtful, high-quality, and consumer-focused
Core Product Craft & Optimization
  • Continuously elevate the quality and performance of Bigelow’s core tea bag portfolio
  • Lead improvements in flavor consistency, ingredient quality, and packaging performance
  • Identify opportunities to enhance value while protecting the integrity of the product
  • Bring a hands-on, detail-oriented approach to product excellence
Manufacturing & Scale-Up
  • Bring deep manufacturing knowledge into product development decisions from the start
  • Lead scale-up from bench to production, ensuring products are reliable and repeatable
  • Partner closely with internal operations and external co-packers to develop products that work in real-world conditions
  • Lead plant trials and solve problems proactively to ensure strong outcomes
 

 

 

Team Leadership
  • Build, coach, and develop a team of product developers, many early in their careers
  • Create an environment where people feel ownership of their work and pride in the outcome
  • Encourage curiosity, experimentation, and continuous improvement
  • Set clear expectations and hold the team accountable to high standards
Ways of Working
  • Establish clear, effective approaches to product development that balance creativity with discipline
  • Bring structure and clarity to how work gets done—without slowing momentum
  • Ensure strong execution across multiple projects, with clear ownership and follow-through
Partnership Across the Business
  • Work closely with Marketing to provide product insight and feasibility input as ideas are shaped
  • Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, and Regulatory to ensure products are developed responsibly and effectively
  • Act as the bridge between concept and product reality
QualificationsEducation
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, or related field
  • Advanced degree preferred
Experience
  • 10–15+ years in product development within CPG, ideally in beverages or adjacent categories
  • Strong track record of developing and improving products in manufacturing-driven environments
  • Experience working with both internal manufacturing teams and co-packers
  • Experience in tea, coffee, or similar categories preferred
What Sets You Apart
  • You bring both craft and practicality—you care deeply about the product and know how to make it work at scale
  • You’re as comfortable in a plant as you are in a development lab
  • You develop people, not just products
  • You create clarity and accountability without overcomplicating things
  • You’re energized by the opportunity to build, improve, and elevate

Travel Requirements

·       Travel as required for product development, customer meetings, research and internal collaboration. Up to 25%.

Bigelow Company Overview

Based in Fairfield, CT and 100% family and woman-owned, the Bigelow Tea Company pioneered the specialty tea category over 80 years ago. The third-generation company takes pride in its heritage and successful growth from a one-product, entrepreneurial venture into America’s #1 leading tea company brand.

Bigelow Tea is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Bigelow Tea does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.

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