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Director Of Professional Development Jobs in Iowa

Graceland University

Director of Development

Lamoni, IA · On-site

Director of Development; reports to Senior Director for Major Gifts Graceland University strives to provide a positive, vibrant working environment for employees. Position descriptions are essential ...

Iowa Donor Network

Director of Advancement

Altoona, IA · On-site

$101K - $126K/yr

Director of Advancement Location : Office Hybrid - North Liberty, Iowa or Altoona, Iowa Exemption ... Provide visionary leadership, mentorship, and professional development to communications and ...

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All JobsOf Professional Development JobsDirector Of Professional Development JobsDirector Of Professional Development Jobs in Iowa

Director Of Professional Development information

See Iowa salary details

$38K

$82.1K

$125.9K

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

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of professional development in Iowa is $82,115.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,300.00 and $85,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of professional development do?

A Director of Professional Development is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing programs that enhance the skills and knowledge of employees within an organization. They work closely with leadership to identify training needs, develop learning strategies, and ensure that staff have opportunities for continuous growth. Their role often includes managing budgets, evaluating program effectiveness, and staying up-to-date with industry trends to maintain a competitive workforce.

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

To thrive as a Director of Professional Development, you need expertise in curriculum design, training program management, and adult learning principles, typically supported by an advanced degree in education, HR, or a related field. Familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS), instructional design software, and relevant certifications such as CPLP or SHRM-CP is highly valuable. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent interpersonal skills help drive organizational learning and foster staff growth. These competencies are crucial for building effective development programs that enhance employee performance and support organizational goals.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of professional development, and how can they be effectively managed?

A Director of Professional Development often faces the challenge of balancing organizational goals with individual employee growth needs. Managing diverse learning styles and ensuring engagement across all departments can require creative program design and strong interpersonal skills. Additionally, keeping up with industry trends and evolving best practices is essential to deliver relevant training. Building strong relationships with department leaders and regularly soliciting feedback can help tailor initiatives for maximum impact and foster a culture of continuous learning.

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

AspectDirector Of Professional DevelopmentTraining Manager
Primary FocusStrategic planning of professional growth programsOverseeing training sessions and workshops
ResponsibilitiesDeveloping long-term development strategies, policy creationImplementing training programs, managing trainers
CredentialsOften requires advanced degrees and certifications in education or HRTypically requires relevant experience and certifications in training
Work EnvironmentCorporate, educational, or nonprofit sectors focusing on employee growthCorporate training departments, educational institutions

The main difference is that the Director Of Professional Development focuses on strategic, long-term development initiatives, while the Training Manager handles the day-to-day execution of training programs. Both roles require relevant credentials and work in similar environments, but the director's role is more strategic and policy-oriented.

What are popular job titles related to Director Of Professional Development jobs in Iowa?

For Director Of Professional Development jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Of Professional Development jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Of Professional Development jobs in Iowa are:

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

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

Director Of Professional Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Professional Development job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,115 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Director of Development

Full Circle Recovery

Des Moines, IA

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

POSITION: DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENTN: 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.

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