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Development Director Jobs in Fishers, IN (NOW HIRING)

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Development Director information

See Fishers, IN salary details

$37.9K

$86.5K

$145.1K

How much do development director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for development director in Fishers, IN is $86,474.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,500.00 and $101,600.00 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.
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Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Director job openings in Fishers, IN as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,474 per year, or $41.6 per hour.
Development Director

Development Director

Heritage Christian School

Indianapolis, IN

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

REPORTS TO:  Director of Advancement

DIRECT REPORTS: Indirectly, campaign-related staff, contractors, and volunteers

POSITION OBJECTIVE: The Develpment Director serves as the lead strategist and driver of fundraising campaigns at Heritage Christian School, with primary responsibility for directing the annual Heritage Fund, the current two-year $6 million comprehensive campaign, and future capital campaigns supporting campus expansion and strategic priorities.

This role provides frontline major gift leadership, campaign architecture, donor portfolio management, and executional oversight across all phases of fundraising: planning, quiet phase, public phase, and closeout. 

Working in close partnership with the Director of Advancement, Head of School, and key volunteer leaders, the Heritage Fund Manager builds strong donor relationships, advances solicitations, manages campaign pipelines, and ensures disciplined movement of prospects through the gift cycle.

The Development Director plays a critical role in advancing a culture of generosity and positioning Heritage Christian School for long-term philanthropic sustainability.

QUALIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: The employee must be a Christian with an authentic and a mature personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who agrees to the HCS Statement of Faith, Charter of Core Values and Employee Covenant in both their professional conduct and personal lifestyle. The employee is committed to incorporating these qualities and standards in carrying out the calling to Christian education. In addition, the ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships, representing Christ and HCS professionally and positively with the HCS community-at-large, including faculty and staff, Board members, parents, volunteers and others is crucial to the success of this role.

EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s in business or related field of study. 5+ years of experience in fundraising, development, or campaign leadership. Demonstrated success securing major gifts. Experience with annual funds and capital campaigns. Proficiency with donor CRM systems

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

  • Relationship builder

  • Strategic and analytical thinker

  • Results-oriented and disciplined

  • Comfortable with asking for gifts

  • Organized project manager

  • Collaborative team player

  • Ability to attend evening and weekend events

  • Ability to use computer and standard office equipment

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Campaign Strategy & Architecture

  • Design and manage overall strategy for the Heritage Fund, current $6M campaign, and future capital campaigns

  • Develop campaign frameworks including case for support, gift range charts, pyramids, naming opportunities, and phased timelines

  • Establish solicitation strategies for lead, principal, major, and leadership annual gifts

  • Partner with Director of Advancement to align campaign priorities with institutional strategic plans

Major Gift & Leadership Annual Giving

  • Manage a portfolio of major and leadership annual gift prospects and donors

  • Conduct qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits

  • Personally solicit major gifts and campaign commitments

  • Prepare tailored proposals and gift conversations in partnership with the Director of Advancement and Head of School

  • Advance donors toward multi-year commitments and stretch giving

Volunteer & Leadership Engagement

  • Recruit, train, and support campaign cabinet members and key volunteers

  • Prepare volunteers for peer-to-peer cultivation and solicitation

  • Coordinate solicitation assignments and track outcomes

  • Provide clear briefing materials, talking points, and follow-up support

Campaign Management & Execution

  • Manage day-to-day execution of campaign plans

  • Maintain campaign prospect pipelines and stage movement

  • Monitor progress toward goals and adjust strategies as needed

  • Ensure timely production of proposals, pledge agreements, and acknowledgments

  • Oversee campaign calendar and milestone tracking

Collaboration & Integration

  • Work closely with Director of Advancement on strategy, forecasting, and reporting

  • Collaborate with Advancement Manager on operational execution, reporting, and materials

  • Partner with Communications/Marketing to ensure strong campaign messaging and visibility

  • Coordinate with Finance on pledge recording, receipting, and reconciliation

Reporting & Analytics

  • Produce regular campaign progress reports and dashboards

  • Track solicitation activity, close rates, average gift size, and pipeline health

  • Use data to inform strategy and resource allocation

Stewardship & Donor Experience

  • Ensure timely and meaningful acknowledgment of gifts

  • Participate in design of stewardship touches and recognition programs

  • Support donor events and engagement opportunities

  • Promote strong retention and long-term relationships

Supervisory & Leadership 

  • Provides functional leadership for campaign-related staff, contractors, and volunteers

  • May supervise campaign support personnel as the department scales

The above description covers the most significant duties performed but does not restrict the administration’s right to assign or reassign other reasonable duties, responsibilities, or expectations to this job at any time, with or without advance notice.  The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Ability to work in a standard office environment with frequent use of a computer, telephone, and other office equipment for extended periods of time. Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and through written and electronic communication.  Ability to remain stationary for extended periods.  

Ability to move throughout the school campus and event venues. Ability to occasionally lift, carry, move, and transport materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Ability to travel locally and occasionally regionally.  Ability to maintain focus and productivity in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions, multiple deadlines, and shifting priorities. Visual ability to read printed and digital materials, analyze reports and donor data, and prepare presentations and communications. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate computers, mobile devices, presentation equipment, and standard office technology.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  Work is primarily performed in a professional office and school environment, both indoors and outdoors.  Position requires frequent participation in meetings, fundraising events, donor visits, school functions, and community engagement activities both on and off campus. The environment may include moderate noise levels associated with school operations, events, and large gatherings. Evening and weekend work is periodically required to support fundraising initiatives, donor cultivation activities, campaign events, and school programs. May involve local and occasional regional travel.  

WORK SCHEDULE:  Position works the calendar year (does not follow the academic calendar).  Schedule: Monday-Friday,  typical hours 7:30am - 4:30pm, but may flex depending on meetings and events.   

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