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Development Director Jobs in Bloomington, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Development Director information

See Bloomington, IL salary details

$38.8K

$88.6K

$148.7K

How much do development director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for development director in Bloomington, IL is $88,619.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,100.00 and $104,100.00 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 Bloomington, IL?

The most popular types of Development jobs in Bloomington, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Development Director jobs in Bloomington, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Development Director jobs in Bloomington, IL are:

What cities near Bloomington, IL are hiring for Development Director jobs?

Cities near Bloomington, IL with the most Development Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Development Director job openings in Bloomington, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,619 per year, or $42.6 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Summary
The Destination Development Director is responsible for leading VisitBN's efforts to strengthen the Bloomington-Normal area as a premier visitor destination by developing strategic partnerships, enhancing visitor experiences, supporting destination assets, enhancing group sales, and advancing tourism initiatives throughout McLean County.
This position serves as VisitBN's primary liaison to the local tourism industry and works collaboratively with hotels, attractions, municipalities, event organizers, educational institutions, businesses, and community organizations to improve destination readiness, foster industry collaboration, and implement initiatives identified in VisitBN's Strategic Plan.
The Destination Development Director provides leadership in destination stewardship, tourism development, meetings/conferences, leisure, international, and sports tourism, hospitality initiatives, and industry engagement. This role ensures VisitBN is recognized as the trusted convener and leader of Bloomington-Normal's visitor economy.
Qualifications Required
  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in destination marketing, tourism, hospitality, economic development, community development, event management, marketing, sales, or related field.
  • Demonstrated success building collaborative partnerships among public, private, and nonprofit organizations.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to facilitate meetings, build consensus, and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
  • Ability to analyze trends and translate data into strategic recommendations.

Qualifications Preferred
  • Experience with sports tourism, meetings, conferences, or event recruitment.
  • Grant administration experience.
  • Familiarity with visitor analytics platforms such as Zartico or similar systems.
  • Familiarity with customer relationship management systems such as Salesforce.
  • Supervisory experience.

Essential Position Functions - Tourism Development
  • Develop and execute strategies to attract meetings, sporting events, group travel, and other targeted visitor markets in collaboration with VisitBN's marketing team.
  • Recruit, develop, and attend client familiarization tours to include consulting with and accompanying clients on site inspections showcasing facilities and area benefits.
  • Generate, maintain and leverage key domestic and international relationships with partners such as tour operators, receptive tour operators, wholesalers, planners, and other key partners to showcase VisitBN's viability in the international, leisure, and meeting market segments.
  • Manage the development and coordination of sales leads, events for key markets and retain existing meetings, conventions, tours, and events in the Bloomington-Normal area.
  • Oversee vendors on bids, contracts, timelines, and execution of projects.
  • Identify emerging tourism opportunities that align with VisitBN's strategic priorities.

Essential Position Functions - Destination Development
  • Lead implementation of destination development initiatives identified in VisitBN's Strategic Plan.
  • Identify opportunities to improve Bloomington-Normal's visitor experience through destination enhancements, tourism infrastructure, placemaking, and hospitality initiatives.
  • Collaborate with municipalities, attractions, arts organizations, educational institutions, and community partners on destination improvement projects.
  • Identify opportunities to leverage arts, culture, recreation, and area assets to increase visitation.
  • Oversee destination assessments to make recommendations that enhance visitor satisfaction.

Essential Position Functions - Industry Relations and Partnership Development
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive partner engagement strategy.
  • Convene quarterly tourism industry meetings and an annual tourism event.
  • Coordinate hospitality education and visitor readiness programs.
  • Develop recognition programs that celebrate outstanding hospitality and visitor service.
  • Represent VisitBN on community committees and regional tourism initiatives.

Essential Position Functions - Research & Industry Intelligence
  • Utilize research and visitor data to identify destination opportunities and industry trends.
  • Oversee stakeholder engagement and partner sentiment research.
  • Prepare reports demonstrating VisitBN's economic impact, partnership success, and destination development progress.
  • Support organizational planning through research and data analysis.

Essential Position Functions - Leadership
  • Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications Director to ensure destination development initiatives are effectively communicated and promoted.
  • Participate in organizational strategic planning, budgeting, and annual work planning.
  • Develop departmental goals, work plans, and performance metrics.
  • Foster a collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented culture within VisitBN.
  • Mentor and develop assigned staff.

Essential Position Functions - General
  • Represent VisitBN professionally at events, conferences, and industry meetings.
  • Maintain productive working relationships with staff, board members, elected officials, tourism partners, and community stakeholders.
  • Stay informed on emerging tourism trends and best practices.
  • Perform other duties as assigned to advance VisitBN's mission.

Psychological Considerations
  • Must possess excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders.
  • Must be able to facilitate productive conversations among organizations with varying priorities.
  • Must demonstrate sound judgment, diplomacy, and professionalism.
  • Must be able to prioritize multiple long-term projects while responding to immediate organizational needs.

Physiological Considerations
  • Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends.
  • Must be able to travel throughout McLean County and occasionally statewide or nationally.
  • Must be able to lift promotional materials and event equipment up to 50 pounds.

Environmental Considerations
  • Ability to work in office, meeting, event, and outdoor environments in varying weather conditions.
  • Must possess a valid driver's license.
  • Must have reliable transportation.
  • Must comply with all VisitBN safety policies and procedures.