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Director Of Development Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

POSITION DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT FLSA STATUS EXEMPT DEPARTMENT FULL CIRCLE RECOVERY LEADERSHIP LOCATION DES MOINES, IA REPORTS TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DIRECT REPORT(S) NO POSITION OVERVIEW Full Circle ...

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Director of Development

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$70 - $90/hr

Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, 403b Plan, Paid Vacation/Sick, Paid Parking Overview The Director of Development leads the Community Foundation's philanthropy ...

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Showing results 1-20

Director Of Development information

See Iowa salary details

$38K

$86.8K

$145.6K

How much do director of development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of development in Iowa is $86,775.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,700.00 and $101,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of development do?

A Director of Development is responsible for overseeing an organization's fundraising and development strategies. They manage donor relationships, create fundraising campaigns, and coordinate with staff to achieve financial goals. This role often involves working with nonprofits or educational institutions to secure grants, cultivate major donors, and ensure the sustainability of funding. The Director of Development also analyzes fundraising data and trends to improve future efforts and typically reports to executive leadership.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Development, you need expertise in fundraising strategy, donor relations, and nonprofit management, often supported by a relevant degree and substantial experience in development roles. Familiarity with donor management systems (such as Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce), grant writing, and data analysis tools is typically required. Outstanding communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills help cultivate donor trust and inspire teams. These capabilities are crucial for meeting fundraising goals, sustaining organizational growth, and advancing the nonprofit’s mission.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of development when managing fundraising initiatives?

Directors of Development often face challenges such as balancing short-term fundraising goals with long-term relationship building, motivating and aligning diverse teams, and adapting strategies to shifting donor priorities. They must also ensure effective communication across departments and with external stakeholders. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong leadership, data-driven decision making, and the ability to inspire both staff and donors toward the organization's mission.

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

AspectDirector Of DevelopmentDevelopment Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees overall development strategy, manages teams, and aligns projects with organizational goals.Manages specific development projects, coordinates teams, and ensures project delivery.
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, often advanced degrees, and experience in leadership roles.Bachelor's degree in relevant field, experience in project management or development.
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic planning, often in office settings.Operational, project-focused, collaborative team environment.

The main difference is that the Director Of Development focuses on strategic oversight and leadership, while the Development Manager handles day-to-day project management. Both roles require relevant experience and collaboration, but the director has a broader scope and higher-level responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Of Development jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Of Development jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Director Of Development jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Director Of Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Of Development job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,775 per year, or $41.7 per hour.

Director of Development

Full Circle Recovery

Des Moines, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

POSITION: DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT N: DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT
DEPARTMENT: FULL CIRCLE RECOVERY LEADERSHIP
LOCATION: DES MOINES, IA
REPORTS TO: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DIRECT REPORT(S): NO
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Full Circle Recovery is seeking an experienced, relationship-driven Director of Development to build and lead the organization's development program from the ground up. This leadership position will create and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy focused on unrestricted revenue, donor stewardship, corporate partnerships, major gifts, foundation support, annual giving, and long-term financial sustainability. The Director of Development will work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Leadership Team to cultivate a culture of philanthropy and expand community investment in Full Circle Recovery's mission.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Develop and implement a multi-year development plan aligned with organizational strategic goals.
• Build the organization's individual donor program from the ground up.
• Create and manage an annual fundraising calendar.
• Develop and oversee donor stewardship, acknowledgment, and recognition processes.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospective donors.
• Establish and grow recurring giving and annual giving campaigns.
• Develop corporate sponsorship opportunities and strategic business partnerships.
• Research, cultivate, and steward private foundation relationships.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director on grant opportunities and major funding initiatives.
• Lead fundraising efforts for special events.
• Work with the Operations & Marketing Coordinator to develop donor-focused marketing materials, impact reports, newsletters, and campaigns.
• Maintain accurate donor records and reporting through our donor constituent relationship management system - Network for Good.
• Develop fundraising policies, procedures, metrics, and dashboards.
• Provide regular fundraising updates and reports to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Represent Full Circle Recovery throughout the community and actively build relationships with civic leaders, businesses, foundations, and supporters.
• Engage in ongoing training and professional development to stay informed about best practices in fundraising and appropriate peer recovery support services topics such as ethics, boundaries, communication skills, recovery principles, and multiple pathways of recovery.
• Practice self-care to maintain personal well-being and resilience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Passion for Full Circle Recovery's mission and commitment to serving individuals in recovery.
• Lived experience with substance use disorder and sustained recovery preferred.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible fundraising, development, philanthropy, business development, or related experience.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts, sponsorships, and unrestricted funding.
• Experience building or significantly expanding a development program preferred.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Experience with donor CRM systems and fundraising reporting.
• An understanding of substance use disorder, harm reduction, recovery capital, and recovery pathways preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom), and CRMs.
• Valid driver's license, car insurance, good driving record, and reliable transportation.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
• Primarily works in a professional office environment.
• Frequent local travel to meetings, donor visits, community events, and partner locations.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours for fundraising events and community engagement.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Driving, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, walking, lifting, reaching, talking, hearing, grasping and finger dexterity, repetitive motions.
• Sitting approximately 50 percent of the time.
• Standing approximately 20 percent of the time.
• Walking approximately 20 percent of the time.
• Driving approximately 10 percent of the time.
• Requires the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force continuously.
• Up to 50 pounds of force infrequently to lift or otherwise move objects.
VISION REQUIREMENTS:
The minimum standard for use with those whose work deals largely with preparing and analyzing data and figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal, and extensive reading.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Full Circle Recovery Community Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Full Circle will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Full Circle Recovery Community Center reserves the right to change this job description at any time.