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Development Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

ASAC

Grants Writer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

Fund Development Director POSITION DESCRIPTION SUMMARY : The Grants Writer will manage all aspects of ASAC grants, including but not limited to grant research and writing, grant compliance management ...

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See Iowa salary details

$38K

$86.8K

$145.6K

How much do development director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for development director in Iowa is $86,775.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,700.00 and $101,900.00 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 jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

Development Directors in large organizations or corporations can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with bonuses, profit sharing, and extensive experience. High-level executive roles such as Chief Development Officer or similar senior leadership positions in nonprofit or corporate sectors also have the potential for such compensation, often requiring advanced skills, strategic planning, and a strong network.

How much money should a development director raise?

A development director's fundraising goals vary depending on the organization size and sector, but they typically aim to raise several million dollars annually for nonprofits or large projects. Success often depends on skills in donor relations, strategic planning, and use of fundraising tools. Setting realistic targets aligned with organizational needs is essential for effective performance.

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 does a Director of Development do?

A Director of Development oversees fundraising efforts, builds relationships with donors, and develops strategies to support an organization’s financial growth. They often manage a team, coordinate campaigns, and utilize tools like CRM systems to track progress, ensuring the organization meets its funding goals.

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.

Is being a BDM a stressful job?

A Business Development Manager (BDM) role can be stressful due to targets, client negotiations, and workload management. Success often depends on strong communication, time management, and resilience, with some roles involving high-pressure environments and performance metrics.
More about Development Director jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Development jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Development jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Development Director jobs in Iowa? For Development Director jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Development Director jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Development Director jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Development Director jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Development Director job openings:
Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Director job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,775 per year, or $41.7 per hour.
Director of Donor Management & Research

Director of Donor Management & Research

Wartburg College

Waverly, IA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Wartburg College
Title of Position:Director of Donor Management & Research
Function of Position:
Responsible to the Executive Director for Advancement for implementing and assessing strategies to identify and research potential donors. Developing and managing an effective donor management system, supervising the data collection and analysis of contact with major-gift donors and prospects, creating and maintaining major-gift donor portfolios, and administering reports to track and assess Development Officer production.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
  1. Develop, implement, and manage an effective donor management system in order to identify and prioritize major-gift donors and prospects, monitor and report their progress through the development cycle, and track the "moves-management" activities of Development Officers, in support of institutional philanthropic goals. (30%)
  2. Manage the Major Gift Donor assignment process, collaborating with Development Officers to produce, maintain, and review donor portfolios, and making assignment changes as appropriate. Conduct portfolio reviews at least annually to ensure effective donor pipeline development. (20%)
  3. Manage data collection, reporting, and analysis functions related to contacts with Major Gift Donors; coordinate initiatives, systems, and processes to ensure accurate and complete major-gift prospect contact data is available and analyze data to support institutional goals and objectives. (15%)
  4. Research prospective and current donors, including alumni, parents, friends, businesses/corporations and foundations, in support of activities to create and sustain mutually beneficial relationships. Plan and coordinate initiatives, including periodic wealth-screening and/or prospect modeling, to identify and assess the philanthropic capacity of prospective and current donors. (15%)
  5. Prepare profiles on selected major gift donors and prospects; Identify and provide rationale in support of constituents to be considered for volunteer leadership positions, including the Board of Regents, National Advisory Boards, etc. (10%)
  6. Collaborate with the Vice President for Advancement to report and assess Development Officers' efforts to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward potential donors. Assist in training Development Officers to effectively gather and analyze information that may be helpful in their work. (10%)
  7. Perform other related duties as assigned, including serving on the Advancement Planning Team, as well as pursue ongoing professional development through training, conferences, and/or participating in professional associations as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications:
Requires knowledge equivalent to a Bachelor's degree; strong organization, communication and data analytic skills; aptitude and experience with data management tools and computers, including sophisticated internet research and relational databases, as well as the ability to identify and utilize technology resources to meet objectives; ability to organize and prioritize multiple work assignments; ability to collaborate with others in a team environment. Preferred qualifications include Master's degree; two years of experience in development-related research; an understanding of philanthropy; and a strong appreciation for the liberal arts college environment and mission.
Application Procedure:
Please upload the following by selecting the "Apply for this Position" below:
1) resume
2) a letter of interest including a statement regarding qualities within the context of the Wartburg College mission
3) contact information for three references
See www.wartburg.edu for further information about the college and the city of Waverly. Screening begins immediately and continues until position is filled.

Apply