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Director Of Program Development Jobs in Detroit, MI

Louisville Ballet

Director of Development

Detroit, MI · On-site

The Director of Development is a senior leader and crucial partner to Pewabic's new Executive Director, responsible for designing, leading, and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that ...

Staco Systems

Director of Business Development

Detroit, MI · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Business Development Director Job Summary The Directo of Business Development position is ... Prepares, develops and manages product/program submittals inclusive of pricing, margin analysis and ...

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Director Of Program Development information

See Detroit, MI salary details

$29.2K

$77.4K

$135.6K

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

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of program development in Detroit, MI is $77,411.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,500.00 and $91,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To excel as a Director Of Program Development, you need expertise in program management, strategic planning, and budget oversight, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with project management software, data analysis tools, and compliance systems is typically required. Outstanding leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills distinguish top performers in this role. These abilities are crucial for successfully designing, implementing, and scaling programs that align with organizational goals.

What are the typical challenges a director of program development faces when launching new initiatives within an organization?

Directors of Program Development often encounter challenges such as aligning new initiatives with the organization's strategic goals, securing stakeholder buy-in, and managing cross-functional teams with varying priorities. Navigating budget constraints, adapting to shifting market demands, and ensuring programs are both scalable and sustainable are also common hurdles. Successful directors leverage strong communication, project management, and analytical skills to address these challenges and drive impactful results.

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

AspectDirector Of Program DevelopmentProgram Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects, develops strategic program plans, manages teams, and aligns programs with organizational goals.Manages individual projects or programs, coordinates resources, and ensures project deliverables meet objectives.
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree often in business, management, or related field; advanced degrees or certifications like PMP are common.Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; PMP or similar certifications are frequently preferred.
Work EnvironmentTypically in corporate, nonprofit, or government settings, involving strategic planning and leadership.Involves project coordination within similar environments, focusing on execution and delivery.

The main difference between a Director Of Program Development and a Program Manager lies in scope and strategic focus. The Director oversees multiple programs and aligns them with organizational goals, while the Program Manager handles specific projects within those programs. Both roles require similar credentials and work in comparable environments, but the Director's role is more strategic and leadership-oriented.

What does a director of program development do?

A director of program development oversees the planning, design, and implementation of programs within an organization. They coordinate teams, develop strategies, manage budgets, and ensure programs meet organizational goals and standards. Strong leadership, project management skills, and knowledge of industry best practices are essential for this role.

What are popular job titles related to Director Of Program Development jobs in Detroit, MI?

For Director Of Program Development jobs in Detroit, MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Of Program Development jobs in Detroit, MI look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Of Program Development jobs in Detroit, MI are:

What cities near Detroit, MI are hiring for Director Of Program Development jobs?

Cities near Detroit, MI with the most Director Of Program Development job openings:

Director Of Program Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Program Development job openings in Detroit, MI as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,411 per year, or $37.2 per hour.

Director of Development

Ypsilanti, MI

EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
See more jobs at EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONexternal

$100K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Create plans for donor outreach and develop tailored solicitation strategies for individual donors.

  • Build and maintain relationships with prospective and current major donors through meetings, visits, and engagement activities.

  • Manage donor portfolios, track engagement activity, and prepare reports on fundraising progress.

Job description

Director Of Development

College of Arts & Sciences


Eastern Michigan University Foundation

In 1989, the Eastern Michigan University Regents founded the Eastern Michigan University Foundation, with the sole mission and purpose to provide additional financial support to students, programs, services, and the educational community of Eastern Michigan University. The EMU Foundation solicits funds on behalf of the University with the purpose of increasing the sources and amounts of private funds for the benefit of the University. All fundraising activities and events undertaken by individual units of EMU are coordinated through the EMU Foundation.


Director of Development for The College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences at Eastern Michigan University is the university's largest academic division, offering 124 degree programs with an average class size of 25. It provides student-centered education in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and fine arts across multiple campus buildings.


The Director of Development will provide direct support to the Dean and Faculty of the college while partnering with Advancement team members in a highly collaborative environment.


Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement, with a focus on individual major giving, the Director of Development creates plans for donor outreach with the collaboration of Advancement team members. Additionally, leads, inspires, and manages annual resource development goals and multi-year fundraising plan/strategy to support the college, students and faculty.


The Director of Development will be well supported by and will collaborate closely with the EMU Foundation's Advancement Services and Alumni Engagement teams. This includes direct fundraising support for annual giving programs, donor stewardship, and customized alumni engagement programming, event support, and communications to the constituencies from within the college. Additionally, they will work with the Data & Information Systems team to utilize robust prospect research and development, reporting, and gift & records support.


Principal Duties and Responsibilities:      


Fulfills Advancement Performance Standards

  • Invest 60-80% of time on direct fundraising
  • Manage a portfolio size, primary and secondary, of 100-150 donors
  • Have 160-220 substantive interactions annually
  • Perform 15-25 qualification or discovery meetings
  • Complete 15-25 managed asks, with 10-20 closed; and 7-15 team asks
  • Create an Annual Work Plan detailing:
  • Division Priorities/Goals
  • Job Specific Work Goals
  • Professional Development

Donor Identification & Research

  • Identify and qualify potential major gift donors.
  • Conduct research on donor capacity, philanthropic interests, and giving history.
  • Develop donor strategies based on wealth screenings and engagement analytics.

Donor Cultivation & Relationship Building

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with prospective and current major donors.
  • Conduct one-on-one meetings, campus visits, and personalized engagement activities.
  • Engage regional donors in alignment with institutional fundraising strategies.
  • Work closely with the Dean, faculty, and institutional leadership to align donor interests with institutional priorities.

Gift Solicitation & Proposal Development

  • Develop tailored solicitation strategies for individual donors.
  • Present funding opportunities through personalized proposals and case statements.
  • Make direct asks for major gifts through in-person meetings, calls, and written proposals.

Donor Stewardship & Recognition

  • Ensure proper acknowledgment and appreciation of major donors through thank-you letters, impact reports, and events.
  • Provide ongoing engagement to deepen donor relationships and encourage future giving.
  • Coordinate donor recognition programs, including naming opportunities and special acknowledgments.

Collaboration with Institutional Stakeholders

  • Work closely with university leadership, advancement team members, and faculty to align fundraising goals.
  • Partner with alumni relations, planned giving, and corporate/foundation relations teams to maximize donor engagement.
  • Serve as a liaison between donors and institutional programs or projects they support.

Data Management & Reporting

  • Maintain accurate donor records and track engagement activity using CRM tools (Raiser’s Edge).
  • Prepare reports on progress toward fundraising goals and donor pipeline development.
  • Use data analytics to refine donor strategies and measure success.

Event Participation & Major Gift Campaigns

  • Support or organize donor cultivation events, including receptions, galas, and campus tours.
  • Participate in campaign planning for capital projects, scholarships, endowments, and special initiatives.
  • Coordinate follow-up strategies post-events to convert engaged donors into major contributors.


Minimum Qualifications:

EMU seeks a focused philanthropy professional with proven experience achieving major giving goals, and cultivating relationships with prospects, donors and colleagues. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience. Prior experience within a higher education experience is desirable. The selected candidate will be collaborative, compassionate and charismatic, with a can-do attitude.

Preferred Qualifications:    

Key Competencies

  • Relationship Building: Ability to cultivate and maintain long-term donor relationships.
  • Fundraising Knowledge: Understanding of philanthropic trends, donor motivations, and gift solicitation techniques.
  • Communication: Strong verbal and written skills for donor meetings, proposals, and presentations.
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to align donor interests with institutional priorities.
  • Persuasion & Negotiation: Comfort with making direct gift solicitations and closing major donations.
  • Confidentiality & Ethics: Knowledge of fundraising best practices, gift agreements, and donor confidentiality.

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, communications, or a related field.
  • Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) is preferred.

Personal competencies

  • Relationship and trust building skills
  • Highly credible with personal integrity
  • Proactive and highly responsive
  • Solution-oriented/Identifies new opportunities
  • Results and goal oriented
  • Excellent communications skills
  • Confidence to take action and “run with things”

Eastern Michigan University Foundation offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision Insurance; long-term disability, AD& D and life insurance; a retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution; a generous paid time off package; a tuition waiver program, and much more. The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $110,000 annually. This position is based in Ypsilanti, Michigan. This role requires local and regional travel for donor meetings.