ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Development Director Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Hyde Park Day School

Development Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$95K - $145K/yr

Development Director Hyde Park Day School | Chicago, IL Hyde Park Day School (HPDS) is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Development Director to lead and expand a comprehensive fundraising and ...

Hyde Park Day School

Development Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$95K - $145K/yr

Development Director Hyde Park Day School | Chicago, IL Hyde Park Day School (HPDS) is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Development Director to lead and expand a comprehensive fundraising and ...

Hyde Park Day School

Development Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$95K - $145K/yr

Development Director Hyde Park Day School | Chicago, IL Hyde Park Day School (HPDS) is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Development Director to lead and expand a comprehensive fundraising and ...

Bottom Line

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Chicago, IL · On-site

$109K - $111K/yr

DIRECTOR of DEVELOPMENT Chicago Who We Are and What We Believe: Founded in 1997, Bottom Line is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization with a mission to partner with degree-aspiring students ...

citronhygiene

Business Development Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80K - $170K/yr

The Business Development Director represents the entire range of Citron services, consumables, and equipment to these assigned prospects while managing the customer accounts for a defined amount of ...

citronhygiene

Business Development Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80K - $170K/yr

The Business Development Director represents the entire range of Citron services, consumables, and equipment to these assigned prospects while managing the customer accounts for a defined amount of ...

DAC Group

Business Development Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

Move Your Career Forward with DAC as a Business Development Director Who We Are We are DAC-a global full-funnel performance media agency dedicated to delivering transformative results. With expertise ...

DAC Group

Business Development Director

Chicago, IL

Move Your Career Forward with DAC as a Business Development Director Who We Are We are DAC-a global full-funnel performance media agency dedicated to delivering transformative results. With expertise ...

Cna

Talent Development Director

Chicago, IL

The Talent Development Director works closely with CNA's HR Business Partners and business leaders to architect high impact talent development solutions to drive improved business performance and ...

BDO

Business Development Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

Under the direction of the Business Development Market Leader or Business Development Managing Director, and in collaboration with the Practice Leaders and the Chief Business Development Officer, the ...

CNA

Talent Development Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

The Talent Development Director works closely with CNA's HR Business Partners and business leaders to architect high impact talent development solutions to drive improved business performance and ...

IDEO

Business Development Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

Business Development Director In a nutshell: IDEO Chicago is looking for a Director of Growth to expand our client portfolio and build a strong pipeline of ambitious, meaningful human-centered design ...

Adlook

Director, Business Development

Chicago, IL · On-site

Business Development Director As a Business Development Director at Adlook, you will drive client acquisition and establish our innovative platform in the US. This role offers the chance to take an ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDevelopment JobsDevelopment Director JobsDevelopment Director Jobs in Chicago, IL

Development Director information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$41.8K

$95.2K

$159.8K

How much do development director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for development director in Chicago, IL is $95,246.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,200.00 and $111,900.00 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 Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Development jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Development Director jobs in Chicago, IL? For Development Director jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Development Director jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Development Director jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Development Director jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Development Director job openings:
Development Director jobs near you
Development Director

Development Director

COMMUNITY HEALTH PARTNERSHIP OF ILLINOIS

Chicago, IL

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Position: Development Director

Location: Chicago, IL

Community Health Partnership of Illinois is a is a non-profit organization that provides primary health care to migrant farmworkers and other medically underserved populations throughout northern and central Illinois that specializes in primary preventative medical, dental, and behavioral health service. Our focus is delivering quality, culturally responsive health care services to our patients, caregivers, and partners in the communities we serve.

The Development Director plays a crucial role in an organization's fundraising efforts. They are responsible for creating and implementing strategies to secure financial support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies. The Development Director works closely with the executive team to establish fundraising goals and develop a comprehensive fundraising plan.

Key responsibilities:
- Develop and implement a fundraising plan that aligns with the organization's mission and goals.
- Identify and cultivate relationships with potential donors, including individuals, businesses, and grant-making organizations.
- Plan and execute fundraising events and campaigns to raise awareness and attract new supporters.
- Write compelling grant proposals and donor appeals to secure funding for projects and programs.
- Manage donor stewardship activities to maintain and deepen relationships with existing donors.
- Collaborate with the marketing and communications team to create fundraising materials and promote fundraising initiatives.
- Monitor and evaluate fundraising activities to track progress towards fundraising goals and identify areas for improvement.
- Prepare regular reports for the executive team and board of directors to communicate fundraising results.

Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g. nonprofit management, fundraising, communications).
- Proven experience in fundraising, development, or sales.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to think strategically and creatively to develop successful fundraising strategies.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Familiarity with fundraising software and databases.
- Knowledge of fundraising laws and best practices.

The Development Director plays a key role in the success of the organization's fundraising efforts. They must be passionate about the mission of the organization and dedicated to building strong relationships with donors to support its programs and initiatives.