Manager Of Development Jobs in Oklahoma (NOW HIRING)

About
For more than a century, The Salvation Army Arkansas & Oklahoma Division has faithfully served individuals and families throughout Arkansas and Oklahoma by meeting human needs in Christ's name without discrimination. Through a network of Corps, Service Units, social service centers, emergency shelters, disaster relief operations, youth programs, senior services, rehabilitation ministries, and countless community partnerships, the Division provides hope and practical assistance to tens of thousands of people each year. Whether responding to natural disasters, combating food insecurity, helping individuals overcome addiction, or equipping families with the resources they need to thrive, The Salvation Army remains committed to sharing the love of Christ through compassionate service.
Opportunity
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead fundraising for one of The Salvation Army's most respected and high-performing divisions. Serving as the senior development executive for the Arkansas & Oklahoma Division, the Divisional Director of Development will have the unique opportunity to influence philanthropic strategy across two states while partnering closely with divisional leadership, local officers, Advisory Boards, and development professionals to strengthen fundraising capacity and advance mission impact throughout the region.
Unlike many development leadership roles, this position extends well beyond managing a single fundraising program. It offers the opportunity to mentor and develop fundraising leaders, provide strategic counsel to Corps and Area Commands, cultivate relationships with major donors, corporations, foundations, and community leaders, and help shape the long-term philanthropic vision for the Division. The Arkansas & Oklahoma Division has earned a strong reputation throughout the Southern Territory for its fundraising success and collaborative spirit, providing an outstanding platform for a strategic leader who enjoys building people as much as building revenue.
For an executive who is energized by coaching others, strengthening organizational capacity, and advancing a Christ-centered mission through thoughtful strategy and meaningful relationships, this role offers the rare opportunity to leave a lasting legacy across an entire division while helping ensure The Salvation Army continues to meet human needs in Christ's name for generations to come.
Position Summary
Reporting to the General Secretary, the Divisional Director of Development provides strategic leadership for The Salvation Army's comprehensive fundraising efforts across the Arkansas & Oklahoma Division. Serving as the division's senior development executive, this leader partners closely with divisional leadership, officers, and local development professionals to strengthen philanthropic support, build fundraising capacity, and advance a culture of generosity throughout the division.
The Divisional Director of Development is responsible for developing and executing division-wide fundraising strategies while serving in a consultative role to City Commands, Corps, and Service Units. This includes providing leadership in major and individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, direct mail, board development, strategic planning, public relations and marketing, special events, fundraising education, and professional development. Additionally, the role serves as a key liaison between The Salvation Army and community organizations, foundations, corporations, and other external partners whose work supports or impacts the mission of The Salvation Army.
Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of the Arkansas & Oklahoma Divisional Development Department, ensuring the successful execution of all fundraising initiatives and departmental operations.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Area Commands, Corps, and Service Units by providing fundraising strategy, coaching, and support across all aspects of development, including direct mail, donor cultivation, and campaign planning.
• Direct and evaluate division-wide fundraising programs, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, direct mail, planned giving, Advisory Board development, public relations, marketing, special events, and fundraising education.
• Recruit, supervise, coach, and develop development staff by establishing performance expectations, providing ongoing training, conducting performance evaluations, and making recommendations regarding hiring, compensation, and personnel decisions.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture through regular staff meetings, effective communication, and cross-departmental coordination.
• Monitor departmental compliance with Divisional Headquarters, Territorial Headquarters, and applicable fundraising policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the divisional development budget, ensuring sound financial stewardship and adherence to budgetary guidelines.
• Coordinate and support the Divisional Advisory Board by preparing communications, developing meeting agendas, maintaining meeting records, assisting with board recruitment, and recognizing member contributions.
• Provide quarterly progress reports and strategic updates to the Divisional Leadership.
• Oversee all aspects of Divisional Service Unit direct mail fundraising, including vendor relationships, campaign execution, gift processing, and performance evaluation.
• Cultivate, steward, and strengthen relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, attorneys, financial professionals, and other community stakeholders while ensuring exceptional donor service and responsiveness.
• Maintain accurate donor records, prospect files, contact reports, and correspondence to support effective relationship management and fundraising strategy.
• Personally manage fundraising efforts in communities without dedicated development staff by cultivating donors, securing gifts, and identifying new philanthropic opportunities.
• Ensure all gifts and fundraising activities comply with IRS regulations, legal requirements, and The Salvation Army's policies and procedures.
• Partners closely with the Divisional Communications Director to develop integrated fundraising and marketing initiatives through advertising, publications, public speaking, community engagement, and promotional campaigns that enhance awareness and philanthropic support for The Salvation Army.

Other Responsibilities

• Promote a culture of fundraising excellence by organizing, participating in, and delivering fundraising education, professional development seminars, and presentations for officers, Advisory Boards, and local leadership throughout the Division.
• Collaborate with local officers, advisory organizations, and committees to develop and implement community-based fundraising and promotional strategies.
• Remain current on industry best practices, fundraising trends, tax legislation, and emerging philanthropic strategies through ongoing professional development, including participation in national conferences and the annual Territorial Headquarters Development Conference.
• Support and coordinate planned giving initiatives by maintaining close collaboration with Major Gifts and Planned Giving staff, participating in specialized training, and ensuring a coordinated, donor-centered approach across the Division.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned in support of The Salvation Army's mission.

Education & Experience
Qualified candidates will possess:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible fundraising leadership experience within a nonprofit or charitable organization.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, developing, and leading professional staff.
• Experience within The Salvation Army is preferred but not required.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience will also be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• A strong understanding of The Salvation Army's mission, values, and philosophy, along with a genuine passion for advancing its ministry through philanthropy.
• Comprehensive knowledge of nonprofit fundraising, including major gifts, individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, direct mail, grant writing, planned giving, and special events.
• A solid understanding of fundraising regulations, charitable giving, taxation, and applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• Experience utilizing donor databases, fundraising analytics, and performance metrics to guide strategy and inform decision-making.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, financial management, and stewardship of philanthropic resources.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, marketing, and public relations skills, with the ability to effectively represent The Salvation Army to a wide range of audiences.
• Proven leadership experience supervising, developing, and motivating professional and administrative staff.
• Demonstrated success cultivating donor relationships and securing major philanthropic commitments while ensuring compliance with organizational policies and legal requirements.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted relationships with donors, officers, Advisory Boards, community leaders, and Divisional and Territorial leadership.
• Outstanding organizational, strategic planning, and project management skills, with the ability to balance both short- and long-term priorities.
• The highest standards of integrity, professionalism, sound judgment, confidentiality, and stewardship.

Work Environment & Travel
This position is based in a professional office environment and requires the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate must possess strong analytical and quantitative skills, maintain regular and reliable attendance, and be able to travel frequently throughout the Arkansas & Oklahoma Division to support Corps, Area Commands, Advisory Boards, donors, and community partners. The role requires regular travel throughout the Division, as well as occasional travel to professional development and fundraising conferences. Travel will include frequent travel by vehicle (vehicle provided by The Salvation Army) and occasional travel by airplane.
Work Schedule and Location
The position is based at the Arkansas & Oklahoma Divisional Headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. When not traveling, the expectation is to work from the Oklahoma City office, with Fridays serving as a regular remote workday.
Salary & Benefits
Compensation for the Divisional Director of Development includes a competitive salary commensurate with experience and an excellent package of employee benefits which includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, professional development, leave and holidays.
To Apply
Interested applicants should send a resume and a statement of interest to Ryan Rasmussen, Recruiter at [email protected] .
The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or protected veteran status.