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Director Of Development Jobs in Ridgefield, CT (NOW HIRING)

KenCast

Director of Software Development

Stamford, CT · On-site

$125K - $225K/yr

Director of Software Development Reporting to: CEO Location: Stamford, CT Schedule: Full‐time Salary: Competitive, Bonus, Stock Options Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, 401(k) matching ...

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Director Of Development information

See Ridgefield, CT salary details

$40.3K

$92K

$154.4K

How much do director of development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of development in Ridgefield, CT is $92,011.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,700.00 and $108,100.00 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 Ridgefield, CT?

The most popular types of Of Development jobs in Ridgefield, CT are:

What cities near Ridgefield, CT are hiring for Director Of Development jobs?

Cities near Ridgefield, CT with the most Director Of Development job openings:

Director Of Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Development job openings in Ridgefield, CT as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,011 per year, or $44.2 per hour.

Director of Development

Port Chester, NY

Madison Approach
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Madison Approachexternal

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Director of Development
Westchester, Putnam, Fairfield & The Bronx 
Salary: $120,000–$135,000 + performance bonus + retirement plan

About Organization
Our client is a mission-driven nonprofit fighting hunger and food insecurity through food rescue, meal preparation and distribution, community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and innovative programming. The organization serves individuals and families across Westchester, Putnam, Fairfield, and The Bronx - and is now expanding into Mount Kisco to reach growing pockets of need. 

The Opportunity
This is a newly created position and a rare chance to build a development function from the ground up. As the first member of the Executive Director's leadership team, the Director of Development will have real autonomy to shape strategy, build systems, and grow the organization's philanthropic reach - all backed by a highly engaged, committee-driven board that treats development as a true partnership.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this role will lead the board's Fundraising Committee and play a central part in the organization's next chapter, including its strategic expansion into Mount Kisco and northern Westchester.

What You'll Do
Major & Individual Donor Cultivation
  • Build and manage a portfolio of major donors and corporate partners, using a warm, consultative approach rather than high-pressure sales tactics
  • Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners with consistent, trust-building follow-through
  • Identify and pursue new fundraising opportunities, including expanding donor relationships into the Mount Kisco region
Events & Community Fundraising
  • Grow and evolve the organization's signature events, including its annual Gala and 5K
  • Design and launch new, intimate cultivation events - think small gatherings, tastings, or receptions at board members' homes - to open doors with new donor pockets in northern Westchester and Fairfield County
  • Prepare board members with the right information and context to engage effectively with guests at events
Board & Organizational Partnership
  • Lead the Fundraising Committee in close partnership with the Executive Director
  • Engage the board and funders as true partners — with transparency, openness, and shared ownership of the mission
  • Help build out the development department over time as the organization grows
Systems & Donor Communications
  • Build the processes and cadence that keep donor communication consistent: timely acknowledgments, impact reporting, newsletters, and stewardship touchpoints
  • Maintain and help evolve the donor database, and play a key role in selecting and implementing a new CRM as the organization scales
  • Balance big-picture strategy with the ability to independently manage day-to-day details
Grant Support (light-touch)
  • Support the Executive Director with occasional grant research and proposal input as needed - this is not a primary grant-writing role
Who Thrives in This Role
We're looking for someone who leads with warmth and genuine curiosity about people - the kind of person donors trust after one good conversation, not because of polish, but because of authentic engagement and reliable follow-up. You listen well, ask great questions, and know how to let people arrive at "yes" on their own terms.
You're comfortable holding both the big picture and the small details - able to plan strategically, then execute independently without needing to be managed closely. You bring order and process to fundraising (nobody falls through the cracks, every acknowledgment goes out on time) without getting lost in the weeds.
You treat board members and funders as partners, not check-writers, and you're excited by the idea of building something - not just running an existing playbook, but shaping a department from its earliest days.

Qualifications
  • 3–5+ years of nonprofit development or fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in major/individual donor cultivation and event fundraising
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
  • Experience managing donor databases and fundraising software (Little Green Light, Bloomerang, or similar)
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities independently
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Experience in food insecurity, human services, or community-based nonprofits a plus