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Development Director Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

$63K/yr

For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force the education must have been in child development, early childhood education, home economics ...

The Project Director operates at the nexus of Reef's development and construction organizations, ensuring disciplined execution while maintaining alignment with the approved business plan.

$52K/yr

For Assistant Child Development Director positions with the Department of the Air Force the education must have been in child development, early childhood education, home economics (early childhood ...

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Development Director information

See Hawaii salary details

$42.1K

$96K

$161K

How much do development director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for development director in Hawaii is $95,985.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,700.00 and $112,700.00 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Development jobs in Hawaii? The most popular types of Development jobs in Hawaii are:
What are popular job titles related to Development Director jobs in Hawaii? For Development Director jobs in Hawaii, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Hawaii are hiring for Development Director jobs? Cities in Hawaii with the most Development Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Development Director job openings in Hawaii as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $95,985 per year, or $46.1 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Overview

The Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice is seeking a Development Director or Development Associate to support our advocacy efforts to create a more socially and economically just Hawaiʻi. We are seeking an experienced fundraising professional who can develop and lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy, while helping to raise critical resources we need to power our research, advocacy, and community engagement. Working collaboratively with the Executive Director and other key staff, the development director and/or development associate will be responsible for developing and stewarding individual donor relationships, as well as managing and growing Hawaii Appleseed’s grant portfolio.

About the Company

Hawai‘i Appleseed is committed to a more socially and economically just Hawai‘i, where everyone has genuine opportunities to achieve economic security and fulfill their potential. We change policies, systems, and narratives by conducting data analysis and research, educating policymakers and the public, engaging in collaborative problem solving and coalition building, and building community leaders.

The issues we work on—housing, food, fair wages and taxation, transportation, and racial and indigenous equity—are important because they ensure people have access to shelter, sustenance, and the means to survive and thrive individually and collectively.

We are seeking a Development Director or Development Associate who can contribute to this effort by developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that leverages both grants from private foundations, as well as individual giving from community members.

Detailed Duties and Responsibilities

This is a full-time, hybrid position, located in Honolulu, Hawai'i. Major responsibilities include:

  • Create two annual fundraising appeals (summer and year-end) and at least one annual fundraising event.
  • Maintain a fundraising strategy document outlining annual goals, timelines, and tactics.
  • Develop and implement an annual fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals.
Donor Relations
  • Work closely with ED to grow and steward existing individual and corporate donor relationships by:
  • Identifying and coordinating donor and program officer touchpoints throughout the year
  • Engaging board members in fundraising and donor cultivation activities
  • Tracking donations and donor contact information
  • Coordinating acknowledgment letters and other donor communications
Grants
  • Identify and conduct background research on prospective grant funders.
  • Track grant prospects, proposals, reporting requirements, and deadlines using Monday.com
  • Collaborate with program staff to develop grant proposals, budgets, and narrative and financial reports.
Financial Management/Operations
  • Coordinate grant-related contracts, including drafting agreements, managing invoices, and tracking spending.
  • Coordinate with accounting team to:
  • Provide financial reports and documentation to funders as needed
  • Submit invoices to funders as needed
  • Schedule and participate in quarterly financial meetings with ED
  • Maintain organized records of grant-related materials
Qualifications

The right candidate will have the following strengths and qualifications:

  • Strong commitment to equity and inclusion, and to Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s mission, vision, and values.
  • The Development Associate position requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as business, marketing, communication or public administration. The Development Director position requires at least five years related experience, two of which may be substituted with a graduate degree in a relevant field.
  • An understanding of the unique social, political, cultural, and systemic issues that affect Hawaiʻi’s communities.
  • Strong information management skills, including the ability to track and monitor existing grants and prospective grants, forecasting revenue, and maintaining a detailed donor database
  • Exceptional written communication skills, in particular in communicating complex issues using language appropriate to non-experts.
  • Critical thinking skills, including the ability to synthesize policy information for funders and potential funders
  • Strong intra-personal skills that can cultivate and steward relationships with individual donors, foundation program officers, and key community partners
  • Comfortable managing both up and down the the organizational hierarchy
  • Rigorous attention to detail and highly organized
  • Facility with key computer software programs.
  • Ability to work well in teams and with coalition partners.
Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, year-round position and the successful candidate will either live in or relocate to Hawai‘i. Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s office is located in Honolulu, but there is potential for the person filling this position to work remotely from a neighbor island. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, within the range of $60,000 to $75,000 for a Development Associate, and $77,000 to $90,000 for a Development Director. The position also provides comprehensive benefits including health care, paid holidays and personal leave and a 401(k) match up to 5% of annual salary.

Learn more at https://hiappleseed.org/opportunities

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