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Development Director Jobs in Bridgeport, CT (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Research & Development Reports To: R&D Director Lead the Future of Premium Laminated Dough Innovation Bridor North America is a leader in premium European-style bakery products, supplying some of the ...

Research & Development Reports To: R&D Director Lead the Future of Premium Laminated Dough Innovation Bridor North America is a leader in premium European-style bakery products, supplying some of the ...

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Development Director information

See Bridgeport, CT salary details

$41.4K

$94.5K

$158.6K

How much do development director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for development director in Bridgeport, CT is $94,525.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,600.00 and $111,000.00 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 Bridgeport, CT?

The most popular types of Development jobs in Bridgeport, CT are:

What cities near Bridgeport, CT are hiring for Development Director jobs?

Cities near Bridgeport, CT with the most Development Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Development Director job openings in Bridgeport, CT as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 77% In-person, 8% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,525 per year, or $45.4 per hour.

Senior Director of Development, School of Law

Quinnipiac University

North Haven, CT • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Senior Director of Development, School of Law
Job Number: 497163
Type: Full-time
Campus: North Haven - North Haven, CT
Categories: Staff
Overview:
Quinnipiac University invites applications for the position of Senior Director of Development, School of Law. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic, relationship-driven fundraising professional to advance the mission and future of Quinnipiac University School of Law through transformational philanthropy.
Reporting to University Advancement leadership, the Senior Director of Development for Law will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive fundraising and donor engagement strategy focused on securing major and principal gifts in support of the School of Law's strategic priorities. Partnering closely with the Dean, faculty, alumni, and University leadership, this individual will cultivate meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, friends, and philanthropic partners to inspire investments that expand student opportunity, strengthen academic excellence, and elevate the School's impact.
As a key member of the University Advancement team, the Senior Director will manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals capable of making gifts of $50,000 or more. The successful candidate will develop compelling, customized proposals aligned with donors' philanthropic interests and financial capacity while collaborating across the University to deliver a highly personalized donor experience and achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
About Quinnipiac:
Quinnipiac University is a private, coeducational institution located 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. The university currently has an enrollment of 9,700 students in more than 100-degree programs through its Schools of Business, Communications, Computing & Engineering, Education, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing and the College of Arts & Sciences. Our 20 Division I teams have achieved remarkable success, boasting national and conference titles - including a 2023 NCAA national championship win in men's ice hockey, a trip to the Sweet 16 for our women's basketball team and NCAA Tournament appearances by many of our programs. The Quinnipiac University Poll is nationally recognized as a leader in public opinion research, and the university is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review. The Wall Street Journal ranked Quinnipiac #51 among the best colleges in the nation, and second in Connecticut, for our exceptional graduation rate, salary impact, learning facilities, career preparation and learning opportunities.
The university is in the midst of program expansion and renewal for both traditional and adult learners, the development of innovative strategic partnerships, and recently opened South Quad with three state-of-the-art buildings.
As Quinnipiac grows, the university remains guided by the core values that define our community and shapes the experience of every student and employee.
  • We are fiercely committed to ensuring every Bobcat thrives. We are a lifelong partner for every learner.
  • We passionately care about our community. Everyone should feel welcome and valued.
  • We boldly shape our university's future. We will forge a path of impact together.

These values are the foundation of who we are and reflect the Quinnipiac spirit found across our campuses. For more information, please visit qu.edu. Connect with Quinnipiac on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X.
Responsibilities:
  • Works collaboratively with the Dean of the School of Law to engage major prospects to secure philanthropic support for the School's funding priorities and strategic initiatives. Provide counsel, coaching and briefing to Dean prior to and after donor meetings. Engages with School of Law faculty and staff and educates them about development at the School
  • Conducts a minimum of 120 intentional personal visits with current and prospective donors. Promptly documents all contacts with donor in CRM to build the donor's story and history with the University.
  • Creatively cultivates, solicits, and stewards, prospects and donors, and conducts meaningful discovery work to build the major gift pipeline
  • Plans and executes personalized donor strategy plans and well-written proposals
  • Connects highly qualified benefactors to the President, Dean and faculty to deepen their relationship with the University and increase their philanthropic commitment
  • Maintains a portfolio of major prospects for the purpose of supporting the University
  • Provides timely and accurate reports to management regarding prospect activity as needed
  • Leverages available resources to maximize alumni support and collaborates with colleagues in Planned Giving, Parent Development, Annual Giving, Alumni Affairs, and Advancement Services in support of divisional and institutional goals. Develops new programs and initiatives to provide opportunities for meaningful prospect engagement with the School
  • Crafts strategy for School of Law around annual giving activities, Bobcats Unite, and other crowdfunding opportunities as may arise from time to time
  • Utilizes events within the School of Law and at the University to highlight the work of our students and faculty to engage major prospects based on their unique interests
  • Collaborates with School of Law and Alumni Affairs on alumni event strategies and attends events as appropriate
  • Willingness to adapt to shifting priorities and accept new responsibilities as requested
  • Utilizes institutional knowledge and experience to build a culture of philanthropy at the University
  • Capitalizes on network to identify/enlist alumni to serve on boards, committees, and leadership roles at the University
  • Maintains knowledge of other unit and institutional priorities and university events to align donor interests and passions with meaningful areas of support and engagement
  • Sustains collegial and collaborative relationships with colleagues and campus partners and responds to inquiries in a timely manner
  • Adept at relating to constituents of diverse backgrounds and engaging them with the University.
  • Manages University resources and budget judiciously
  • Effectively works remotely and ability to work independently, while collaborating with colleagues as needed

Education Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree required
  • Master's degree preferred

Qualifications:
  • Seven to ten years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, with demonstrated success securing major gifts of $50,000+, preferably in higher education, legal education, healthcare, or another complex nonprofit environment.
  • Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and steward major and principal gift donors through all stages of the donor cycle.
  • Experience partnering effectively with deans, faculty, senior leaders, volunteers, and advisory boards to advance fundraising priorities.
  • Exceptional relationship-building, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse constituencies.
  • Demonstrated strategic thinking with the ability to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising plans that achieve measurable results.
  • Strong proposal writing, presentation, and storytelling skills with the ability to translate institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
  • Experience using constituent relationship management (CRM) systems, such as Blackbaud CRM, Raiser's Edge NXT, Salesforce, or a comparable donor database.
  • Willingness and ability to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends to support donor engagement and University events.
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
TO APPLY:
Applications must be submitted electronically and include a resume, a cover letter detailing how your experience aligns with the position requirements, demonstrated commitment to intentional leadership that values individuals of all backgrounds and experiences, and contact information for three references.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package for full-time faculty and staff which includes tuition remission and a culture that is inclusive and driven by excellence.
Quinnipiac University is considering only those applicants who have valid authorization to work in the United States. Quinnipiac University does not sponsor employment-based visas for this position.
Quinnipiac University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful community.
Advertised: July 07, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:
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