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Development Director Jobs in Lees Summit, MO (NOW HIRING)

Russell Co

Business Development Director

Leawood, KS · On-site

Description Business Development Director Kansas City (Leawood, Kansas) On-Site with Regional Travel About Russell Russell is an award-winning general contractor and real estate development firm ...

Jimmy Jazz

Business Development Director

Leawood, KS · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Employee Type FT Exempt Business Development Director Kansas City (Leawood, Kansas) On-Site with Regional Travel About Russell Russell is an award-winning general contractor and real estate ...

City Year

Director of Development

Kansas City, MO · On-site

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development manages the implementation of the fundraising and local external relations strategy for City Year Kansas City, including the ...

Socket.dev

Director of Development

Kansas City, MO · On-site

$150 - $190/hr

Job Summary The Director of Software Development is responsible for the strategic leadership, technical direction and operational management of the organization's Software Development, Quality ...

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Cityyear

Director of Development

Kansas City, MO · On-site

Strategy Development & Leadership * Develop City Year Kansas City'sshort and long termfundraising strategy, alongside Executive Director and in partnership with the Development Team. * Work closely ...

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Development Director information

See Lees Summit, MO salary details

$39.4K

$89.9K

$150.8K

How much do development director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for development director in Lees Summit, MO is $89,890.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,100.00 and $105,600.00 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 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.

More about Development Director jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Development jobs in Lees Summit, MO?

The most popular types of Development jobs in Lees Summit, MO are:

What job categories do people searching Development Director jobs in Lees Summit, MO look for?

The top searched job categories for Development Director jobs in Lees Summit, MO are:

What cities near Lees Summit, MO are hiring for Development Director jobs?

Cities near Lees Summit, MO with the most Development Director job openings:

Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Director job openings in Lees Summit, MO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,890 per year, or $43.2 per hour.

Development Director

Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph

Kansas City, MO • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Description

Development Director

Kansas City, MO  Development Director

Description

Position: Director of Development

Status: Full time, Exempt

Reports To: Executive Director of Stewardship and Development

Position Summary

The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is seeking a Director of Development to advance the Church's mission by fostering a spirit of Christian stewardship and generosity. Working closely with the Executive Director, this role leads strategic fundraising efforts through donor engagement, major gift cultivation, and stewardship initiatives. Primarily externally focused, the Director manages a portfolio of major donors, builds meaningful relationships with benefactors, and supports fundraising initiatives that sustain and grow support for diocesan priorities. This is a full time position averaging 40 hours per week.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gifts & Donor Relations

  • Manage a portfolio of approximately 70 major gift prospects and donors 
  • Cultivate, solicit, and steward donor relationships to increase philanthropic support 
  • Conduct regular in-person meetings and meaningful touchpoints with donors and prospects 
  • Serve as a visible ambassador for the Diocese, clearly communicating mission impact and funding needs 
  • Develop and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies 
  • Ensure timely and accurate documentation of all donor interactions in the CRM 

Fundraising Execution

  • Implement established fundraising priorities and plans as directed
  • Identify and qualify new donor prospects to expand the major gifts pipeline 
  • Support coordinated fundraising efforts across diocesan initiatives 
  • Track progress toward fundraising goals and provide regular activity and results reporting 

Events & Sponsorship Development

  • Support diocesan fundraising events, including the School Bell Breakfast, and Bishop's Golf Tournament and others
  • Lead sponsorship outreach and solicitation efforts for events 
  • Leverage events as opportunities to deepen donor relationships and identify new prospects 
  • Assist in ensuring events are aligned with fundraising goals and donor engagement strategies 

Planned Giving & Donor Engagement

  • Promote planned giving opportunities as part of donor conversations and long-term stewardship 
  • Support communication efforts that increase awareness of legacy giving 
  • Build relationships with professional advisors to strengthen planned giving opportunities 

Coordination & Administration

  • Work closely with the Executive Director and internal teams to ensure alignment in messaging and donor engagement 
  • Collaborate with finance and communications staff to support accurate gift processing and donor stewardship 
  • Ensure adherence to ethical fundraising standards and diocesan policies 

KEY COMPETENCIES

  • Strong relationship-builder with a donor-centered approach 
  • Results-oriented with a focus on securing gifts and meeting goals 
  • Confident and professional in donor-facing settings 
  • Highly organized with strong follow-through and attention to detail 
  • Effective communicator with the ability to convey mission impact clearly and persuasively 
  • Self-motivated with the ability to manage a portfolio and prioritize activity 

Requirements

 QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required
  • CFRE or advanced degree preferred 
  • Minimum 5-7 years of progressive fundraising experience with a demonstrated focus on major gifts 
  • Proven success managing donor relationships and closing gifts 
  • Experience with planned giving programs and strategies preferred 
  • Proficient working in donor database systems and fundraising analytics 
  • Familiarity with planned giving concepts preferred 
  • Practicing Catholic with ethical standards, personal integrity, and conduct consistent with the morals and teachings of the Catholic Church.

Note: All employees are required to consent to a background check, commit to our Code of Conduct policy, and complete online and in-person trainings prior to hire. 

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