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Director Of Development Communications Jobs in Rochester, NY

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Director of Family Business

Rochester, NY · On-site

$128 - $150/hr

Program Development and Delivery - Design and implement educational workshops, seminars, and ... Strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills with the ability to work with diverse ...

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Director Of Development Communications information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$48.8K

$86.1K

$138.1K

How much do director of development communications jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of development communications in Rochester, NY is $86,082.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,100.00 and $98,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of development communications do?

A Director of Development Communications is responsible for overseeing and managing all communications strategies that support fundraising and donor engagement efforts within an organization, often in the nonprofit or educational sector. They develop and implement messaging, campaigns, and materials that articulate the organization's mission and impact to current and prospective donors. This role collaborates closely with development and fundraising teams to ensure consistent and effective communication across various channels, such as newsletters, annual reports, social media, and events. By building strong relationships and compelling narratives, the Director of Development Communications plays a crucial role in advancing an organization's fundraising goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of development communications?

To thrive as a Director of Development Communications, you need a strong background in fundraising strategy, content creation, and nonprofit communications, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related field. Familiarity with donor management systems (such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce), email marketing platforms, and analytics tools is typically required. Exceptional written and verbal communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills set successful candidates apart. These competencies are crucial for effectively engaging donors, leading teams, and driving an organization's mission through compelling messaging.

How does a director of development communications typically collaborate with fundraising and program teams to achieve organizational goals?

A Director of Development Communications works closely with both fundraising and program teams to ensure messaging is aligned and effectively supports fundraising initiatives. This role often involves translating program impact into compelling stories for donors, coordinating campaign strategies, and providing communication support for donor events. Regular meetings, joint planning sessions, and shared project management tools are common ways teams stay coordinated. Strong collaboration helps maximize fundraising success and ensures that all external communications accurately reflect the organization's mission and achievements.

What is the difference between Director Of Development Communications vs Communications Manager?

AspectDirector Of Development CommunicationsCommunications Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees development-focused communication strategies, donor relations, and fundraising campaignsManages day-to-day communication activities, media relations, and content creation
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree; experience in development, fundraising, or nonprofit communicationsBachelor's degree; experience in media, PR, or corporate communications
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, leadership meetings, collaboration with development teamsContent production, media outreach, internal and external communication tasks

The main difference is that the Director Of Development Communications focuses on strategic communication to support fundraising and development goals, while the Communications Manager handles daily communication operations and media relations. Both roles require strong communication skills and relevant experience, but the director position is more strategic and leadership-oriented.

What job categories do people searching Director Of Development Communications jobs in Rochester, NY look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Of Development Communications jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Director Of Development Communications jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Director Of Development Communications job openings:

Director Of Development Communications jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Development Communications job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,082 per year, or $41.4 per hour.

Director of Development

Genesee Country Museum

Mumford, NY

$68K - $72K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Position: Director of Development
Reports to: Vice President of Development
Location: Mumford, NY (near Rochester); On-Site Position
Primary Function: To grow and strengthen Genesee Country Village amp; Museum’s membership and sponsorship revenue by leading our general membership program, cultivating mid-level donors, and securing corporate partnerships that support our programs and events.
Hours: Full-time; Weekdays, with occasional evenings and weekends as needed, particularly during the Museum’s open season.
Salary: $68,000-$72,000 annually, dependent on experience
The Director of Development is a key fundraising position focused on building and strengthening relationships with individual and corporate supporters. This role leads the Museum’s membership program, cultivates mid-level donors from general membership and the Founder’s Circle, and secures corporate partnerships through memberships and sponsorships. The Director also plays a significant role in donor cultivation and stewardship activities, including our annual signature event, The Whirl.
This is an exciting opportunity for a development professional who enjoys connecting with donors, building partnerships in the community, and creating meaningful experiences that deepen engagement with the Museum.
While some work may be completed remotely, regular onsite presence is essential to engage with the Museum’s programs, collaborate with colleagues, and build relationships with members, donors, and corporate partners. The mix of onsite and remote work may vary depending on experience, workload, and the Museum’s calendar of events.
Responsibilities:
Corporate Membership and Sponsorship Programs (30%)
  • Identify, cultivate, and steward local, regional, and national corporate prospects to secure both restricted and unrestricted support.
  • Develop and manage corporate membership and sponsorship opportunities that connect businesses with the Museum’s mission and audience.
  • Build strong relationships with corporate partners through regular outreach, meetings, and recognition opportunities.
  • Ensure fulfillment of sponsorship benefits and maintain accurate records of agreements and commitments.
Mid-Level Gift Cultivation and Solicitation (30%)
  • Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects giving up to $10,000 annually through General and Founder’s Circle memberships.
  • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors to strengthen engagement and increase annual giving.
  • Conduct regular outreach through meetings, calls, tours, and personalized communication to deepen relationships with supporters.
  • Identify donors with major gift potential and partner with the development team to transition those relationships when appropriate.
General Museum Membership Program (20%)
  • Lead the Museum’s general membership program, including strategies for acquisition, renewal, retention, and upgrades.
  • Work closely with the Development Coordinator to ensure timely and accurate processing of memberships, renewals, acknowledgements, and member communications.
  • Collaborate with Marketing and Visitor Services teams to promote membership and enhance the member experience.
  • Monitor membership trends and data to identify opportunities for growth and improved retention.
Donor Cultivation Activities amp; Stewardship Events (20%)
  • Support donor cultivation through one-on-one meetings, tours, and special events.
  • Plan and execute donor stewardship communications and engagement activities to deepen relationships and strengthen loyalty.
  • Serve a key role in securing sponsorships and supporting the planning and success of The Whirl, GCV amp;M’s annual signature fundraising event.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
  • Minimum of five years of nonprofit fundraising, membership, partnership development, or related relationship-driven roles, with demonstrated success in building donor or sponsor relationships and increasing support.
  • Strong written and verbal communication, customer service, and prioritization skills, along with the ability to represent the Museum in public forums in a skilled and professional manner.
  • Experience building relationships with a broad range of individuals, including donors, members, trustees, corporate partners, community leaders, staff, volunteers, and the general public.
  • Experience supervising or guiding staff and volunteers while demonstrating professional conduct, sound judgment, and ethical leadership.
  • Experience working with donor databases (Bloomerang preferred) and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and relationships simultaneously.
  • Ability to occasionally work evenings and weekends for events and donor engagement.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in fundraising practices.
  • *Please submit cover letter along with resume to be considered for this position*
BENEFITS:
We are proud to support the health and wellbeing of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes healthcare, dental, and vision coverage; a 403(b) retirement plan with an annual board-approved employer match for qualified staff; accrued paid time off; life insurance; disability coverage; an employee assistance program; and a family membership to the Museum.
WHO WE ARE:
Genesee Country Village amp; Museum, located in Mumford, NY 25 miles outside of Rochester, is the largest living history museum in New York State. Our 68-building Historic Village, John L. Wehle Gallery, and Genesee Country Nature Center host nearly 100,000 guests each year on site, off site around the community, and online across the world. Learn more on our website www.gcv.org.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Genesee Country Village amp; Museum is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to all employees, applicants, and interns for employment. We recruit, hire, train, and promote without discrimination due to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, citizenship, national origin, military or veteran status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Diversity Statement: Genesee Country Village amp; Museum is actively committed to broadening our understanding of DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion) and making it part of everything that we do. Guided by our mission, values, and inclusive culture of curiosity, we celebrate the stories of our shared past; connect the rich diversity of the 19th century to the present; and collaborate with the communities we serve to create welcoming spaces for learning, work, exploration, and play.

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