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Director Of Development Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

DISCOVERY WORLD LTD

Director of Development

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

$90K - $95K/yr

Director of Development * Reports to: Chief Executive Officer * Schedule: M-F, Full-time Exempt; some evenings, and weekends required. * Pay Rate: $90,000-$95,000 commensurate with experience JOB ...

Wisconsin

Director of Dev/Ops

Madison, WI · On-site

In this position, the IT Director I serves as the Director of the Dev/Ops Team, supervising a team of 5 Development staff, who are responsible for the development and support of in-house applications ...

Clement Manor

Manager of Development

Greenfield, WI · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

This position reports to the Director of Marketing and Community Engagement . Key Responsibilities ... and other development initiatives as assigned. Qualifications Required Education - Bachelor ...

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Director Of Development information

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$40.9K

$93.3K

$156.5K

How much do director of development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of development in Wisconsin is $93,250.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,700.00 and $109,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 most commonly searched types of Of Development jobs in Wisconsin? The most popular types of Of Development jobs in Wisconsin are:
What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Director Of Development jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Director Of Development job openings:
Director Of Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Development job openings in Wisconsin as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,250 per year, or $44.8 per hour.

Director of Development

Madison Country Day School

Waunakee, WI

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

2026 | Director of Development

Explore the official Director of Development job description booklet

ABOUT MADISON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

As Dane County’s only independent PreK-12 International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, MCDS delivers a top, college-preparatory education in a welcoming environment where every student and educator is truly known.

We are looking for energetic, collaborative, and open-minded colleagues who are eager to embrace new challenges and inspire our students to become lifelong critical thinkers.

At MCDS, we are deeply committed to an inclusive culture that respects, affirms, and protects the dignity of every individual. If you are passionate about the IB mission and want to work in a supportive community where your voice is valued and your impact is real, we want you on our team!

MCDS MISSION
Madison Country Day School is an independent, college-preparatory, Pre-K to Grade 12, International Baccalaureate World School whose mission is to:

  • Inspire each student to discover their extraordinary capacity to learn and thrive in an evolving world by cultivating a challenging environment and a supportive community.
POSITION OVERVIEW FOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Madison Country Day School (MCDS), serving approximately 515 students in Madison, WI, seeks an experienced, visionary, and strategic leader to serve as the Director of Development.

As a vital member of both the Advancement and Leadership Teams, the Director of Development will design, execute, and oversee a comprehensive, multi-faceted fundraising program. This pivotal role is responsible for driving sustainable philanthropic growth, managing the development budget, and leading a dedicated team to cultivate a vibrant culture of generosity across local and global communities. To advance the institution’s strategic vision, the Director works in close collaboration with the Head of School, the Board of Trustees, and school families to maximize engagement and giving.

The ideal candidate is an inspiring communicator and proven relationship-builder with a successful track record in major gift cultivation, capital campaigns, and strategic annual giving. To excel in this role, the Director must possess exceptional organizational and financial acumen, a demonstrated ability to mentor and lead a collaborative development team, and a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive culture of philanthropy across all school constituencies.

Key Responsibilities amp; Portfolio Focus

FUNDRAISING amp; CAMPAIGNS: Annual Fund, Major Donor Development, Capital Campaigns, Endowment, Planned Giving, and Legacy Gifts.

SIGNATURE EVENTS amp; GIVING CIRCLES: Yahara Society, "Sharing our Love" Silent Auction, Celebrate: MCDS Gala, and the annual Fund-A-Need "Mini-Capital Campaign."

COMMUNITY amp; STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT: Alumni Relations, Grandparents’ Council, Volunteers amp; Parent Guild, Community Speaker Series, and Booster Club Support.

LEADERSHIP amp; OPERATIONS: Budget management, leadership team collaboration, and direct supervision of the Development team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY: Establish, execute, and evaluate forward-thinking development strategies to optimally grow annual, major, and capital campaigns, as well as planned giving initiatives.

CAMPAIGN amp; EVENT OVERSIGHT: Oversee all development operations, ensuring high-impact execution of fundraising programs, corporate/foundation sponsorships, and flagship community events (e.g., Celebrate MCDS Gala, Grandparents Day, Community Speaker Series, and the annual Yahara Society reception).

CULTURE OF GIVING: Identify, research, and implement diverse fundraising programs that support the school’s strategic vision, cultivating a deep culture of gratitude and giving across all constituencies and socioeconomic strata.

COLLABORATIVE MARKETING: Partner closely with the Enrollment amp; Marketing Office to produce cohesive, well-branded communication materials that expand school visibility and elevate its philanthropic reputation.

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT: Identify corporate and foundation funding opportunities and spearhead any resulting partnership, sponsorship, or grant initiatives.

CONSTITUENT RELATIONS: Broaden and deepen lifelong relationships with the school's alumni network, grandparent community, and parent volunteers to strengthen engagement and programming.

MAJOR GIFT SOLICITATION: Personally cultivate and solicit major donors. Strategically prepare and accompany the Head of School, leadership staff, and trustees for high-level donor visits and solicitations.

DATA amp; SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT: Maintain a rigorous contributor database, establishing benchmarks to track relationship-building touchpoints, and deliver comprehensive development reports as required.

FINANCIAL amp; TEAM LEADERSHIP: Establish clear fundraising objectives and manage the development budget. Lead and empower the Development staff (including the full-time Development Office Manager, Development Events/Social Media Manager, and part-time Photographer/Events Assistant).

Other Duties

Serve as an active, contributing member of the MCDS Leadership Team.

Attend the general portion of the MCDS Board of Trustees meetings.

Represent the school and maintain a visible presence at occasional evening and weekend community events.

Accept other strategic duties and projects as assigned by the Head of School.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred
  • 5+ years of fundraising and development experience (non-profit sector preferred)
  • Independent school experience and/or educational foundation preferred

BENEFITS

  • Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental amp; Vision)
  • Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
  • Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary amp; AD amp;D)
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick amp; Public Holidays)
  • Short-Term amp; Long-Term Disability

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are required to submit the following in a single PDF document

  1. Cover letter
  2. Resume

Apply