Development Director Jobs in Ridgefield, CT (NOW HIRING)

Director of Development & Engagement https://www.sterlingcommunitycenter.org/ Please visit our wonderful website for a tour Position Summary Sterling Community Center (SCC),seeks a strategic, relationship-driven, and results-oriented Director of Development & Engagement to lead all fundraising, marketing, and community engagement efforts. This role is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive, integrated advancement strategy that strengthens revenue, visibility, and community impact. The Director of Development serves as the leader of Sterling’s fundraising strategy and oversees organizational communications, brand management, and community engagement initiatives. This position ensures alignment between mission, messaging, and fundraising to deepen relationships and expand Sterling’s reach and impact. This role reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Board of Directors and Development Committee. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Management ● Provide active supervision and leadership to development and engagement staff. ● Set clear goals, expectations, and performance metrics aligned with fundraising and organizational priorities. ● Conduct regular check-ins, evaluations, and support professional development. ● Foster a collaborative, accountable, and mission-driven team culture, while promoting cross-functional collaboration across departments.|● Lead by example in professionalism, integrity, and community presence. ● Support the Development Committee and Board of Directors in supporting fundraising efforts and engagement opportunities. ● Provide regular updates and reports to the Executive Director and Board of Directors. Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Leadership ● Develop and implement a comprehensive annual development plan with clear revenue goals, strategies, and benchmarks. ● Develop comprehensive, multi-year campaign strategies, timelines and milestones aligned with organizational priorities. ● Establish and drive fundraising targets across individual giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, events, and emerging revenue streams. ● Monitor and report on progress toward goals; adjust strategies to ensure targets are met or exceeded. ● Create and manage the annual development budget, including revenue projections and expenses. ● Align fundraising priorities with organizational strategic goals and program growth. ● Maintain a consistent pipeline of grant funding opportunities that align with the organization’s needs.

Ensure all grant reporting requirements are met. Individual Giving & Major Gifts ● Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects using a structured moves management approach. ● Cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors with a focus on growing major gifts and recurring giving. ● Lead annual giving campaigns, including appeals, Giving Tuesday, and year-end efforts. ● Strengthen donor retention and increase average gift size through personalized engagement. Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships ● Develop and implement tiered corporate sponsorship opportunities aligned with programs and events. ● Identify, cultivate, and secure new corporate partners while strengthening existing relationships. ● Generate both financial and in-kind support to offset costs and enhance programming. Fundraising Event Initiatives ● Leads all strategic oversight for event fundraising with supervision of the Special Events Manager to ensure successful planning, execution, and financial performance. ● Evaluate event outcomes and implement improvements to maximize revenue and engagement. Marketing, Communications & Brand Management ● Oversee organizational marketing and communications to ensure alignment with fundraising and mission. ● Guide the development and execution of an annual marketing and communications plan. ● Ensure consistency in brand voice, messaging, and visual identity across all platforms. ● Oversee vision of content for campaigns, digital platforms, website, email, and print materials. ● Lead development of key communications including the Annual Report and donor-facing materials. ● Manage media relations and identify opportunities to elevate SCC’s visibility. Community Engagement & External Relations ● Strengthen SCC’s presence and visibility through partnerships, outreach, and community involvement. ● Build and maintain relationships with local businesses, organizations, and civic groups. ● Serve as a positive, public-facing Sterling ambassador at events, meetings, and networking opportunities. ● Identify opportunities to expand engagement, participation, and community impact. Donor Operations & Stewardship ● Oversee donor database management and ensure accuracy of records and reporting. ● Ensure timely gift processing, acknowledgments, and donor recognition to create a culture of cultivation and stewardship. ● Utilize data and analytics to inform fundraising and engagement strategies. Qualifications ● Bachelor’s Degree required ● Minimum 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated success in revenue generation ● Proven track record in major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grant writing ● Experience overseeing or collaborating on marketing and communications strategies preferred ● 3+ years of staff supervision and leadership experience ● Experience managing budgets and achieving revenue goals ● Proficiency in donor databases, CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and digital platforms ● Experience with capital campaigns is a plus Skills & Competencies ● Strategic thinker with strong execution skills ● Confident and effective fundraiser comfortable soliciting gifts ● Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking abilities ● Strong relationship builder with diverse stakeholders ● Skilled in storytelling, messaging, and audience engagement ● Data-driven and highly organized ● Self-motivated, accountable, and results-oriented ● Passionate about community-centered, mission-driven work Commitment ● Full-time, exempt position reporting to the Executive Director. ● Standard schedule: 40 hours/week, Monday–Friday, with flexibility required during peak periods. ● Availability to attend networking and community events in the evenings and weekends as needed. SCC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe deeply that diversity on our team strengthens our service to the community and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. ****In 1918, John Sterling died, leaving Yale a large legacy gift of $30 million. To his sister Cordelia, who we celebrate as our founder, he left the mansion and a sizable legacy.  Upon her death in 1931, Cordelia donated the gift in her will, of the Sterling mansion, and its park-like grounds to the people of Stratford.