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Project Development Director Jobs in Naperville, IL

City Year

Senior Director, Development

Chicago, IL · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Reporting to the Managing Director of Development and working closely with other members of the ... projects), and school visits for potential donors. * Represent City Year at external and partner ...

Cityyear

Senior Director, Development

Chicago, IL · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Reporting to the Managing Director of Development and working closely with other members of the ... projects), and school visits for potential donors. * Represent City Year at external and partner ...

IQVIA

Associate Business Development Director

Rosemont, IL · On-site

$44K - $61K/yr

... Business Development Director with proven technology, data, and analytics experience , who can ... US remote with expected travel up to 10%. * Strong organizational, planning, project management and ...

IQVIA

Associate Business Development Director

Rosemont, IL · On-site

$44K - $61K/yr

... Business Development Director with proven technology, data, and analytics experience , who can ... US remote with expected travel up to 10%. * Strong organizational, planning, project management and ...

WTTW

Development Project Manager (WFMT)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$52K - $61K/yr

With passion for WFMT's purpose, the Development Project Manager will bring their enthusiasm ... Manage WFMT bi-annual on-air membership drive efforts by working closely with Associate Director of ...

WFMT

Development Project Manager (WFMT)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$52K - $61K/yr

With passion for WFMT's purpose, the Development Project Manager will bring their enthusiasm ... Manage WFMT bi-annual on-air membership drive efforts by working closely with Associate Director of ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsProject Development JobsProject Development Director JobsProject Development Director Jobs in Naperville, IL

Project Development Director information

See Naperville, IL salary details

$62.4K

$141.9K

$222.2K

How much do project development director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for project development director in Naperville, IL is $141,863.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,800.00 and $149,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a project development director do?

A Project Development Director oversees the planning, execution, and completion of major projects within an organization. Their responsibilities include identifying project opportunities, managing budgets, coordinating teams, and ensuring projects align with organizational goals. They often serve as the main point of contact for stakeholders and are responsible for mitigating risks and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within scope. Effective leadership, strategic planning, and strong communication skills are essential for success in this role.

What are some common challenges faced by a project development director when managing cross-functional teams?

Project Development Directors often work with diverse teams from various departments such as engineering, finance, marketing, and legal. One common challenge is aligning different priorities and communication styles to ensure everyone is working towards the same project goals. Additionally, balancing stakeholder expectations while managing tight deadlines and budget constraints can require strong negotiation and problem-solving skills. Successful Project Development Directors foster collaboration, set clear objectives, and proactively address potential conflicts to keep projects on track.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a project development director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Development Director, you need expertise in project management, business development, strategic planning, and a relevant degree—often in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with project management software (like MS Project or Asana), budgeting tools, and certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2 are highly advantageous. Leadership, negotiation, and strong interpersonal communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring project success, stakeholder alignment, and effective delivery of organizational goals.

What is the difference between Project Development Director vs Project Manager?

AspectProject Development DirectorProject Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects, strategic planning, and long-term development initiativesManages individual projects, coordinates teams, and ensures project deliverables
Required CredentialsBachelor's or master's in relevant fields, extensive experience in project planning and leadershipBachelor's degree, PMP or similar certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic meetings, cross-department collaborationOn-site or remote project teams, day-to-day project oversight

The Project Development Director focuses on strategic, high-level planning and oversees multiple projects, while the Project Manager handles the execution and daily management of individual projects. Both roles require strong leadership and industry knowledge, but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Project Development jobs in Naperville, IL?

The most popular types of Project Development jobs in Naperville, IL are:

What cities near Naperville, IL are hiring for Project Development Director jobs?

Cities near Naperville, IL with the most Project Development Director job openings:

Project Development Director jobs near you

Director of Development

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, IL • On-site

$110K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

The salary range for this role is $110,000-$135,000 and is commensurate with experience

Benefits: Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our competitive benefits package located here: https://www.iit.edu/hr/benefits

Position Summary

The Director of Development is a frontline fundraiser responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects capable of commitments of $100,000+. Directors manage a portfolio of prospects and support the universitys fundraising priorities across all academic units. Directors are assigned based on institutional priorities and will have primary fundraising responsibility for one or more academic units.

Key Responsibilities

1) Major Gift Fundraising & Portfolio Management 75%

  • Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects (approximately 125), with capacity of $100,000+.
  • Conduct approximately 100 donor visits per year, including at least 20 formal solicitations (may include blended or planned gifts).
  • Qualify prospective donors through discovery to assess philanthropic interest, capacity, and alignment with university priorities.
  • Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with academic unit priorities.
  • Achieve annual revenue goals aligned with experience and unit priorities (generally ~$1M$3M).
  • Maintain strong stewardship practices and solicit annual leadership gifts from assigned prospects.

2) Prospect Strategy, Research, & Analytics 10%

  • Partner with Managing Director and Prospect Research & Management (PRM) for portfolio optimization and pipeline development.
  • Participate in regular portfolio reviews with the Managing Director and PRM.
  • Prepare proposals, gift agreements, and donor correspondence in collaboration with Donor Relations and Gift Administration.
  • Ensure timely and accurate documentation of all prospect activity in Blackbaud Raisers Edge NXT; adhere to stage movement and data integrity standards.
  • Prepare briefing materials for meetings involving deans, faculty, or university leadership.
  • Participate in Advancement meetings, prospect strategy reviews, and professional development trainings.

3) Academic Partnerships 15%

  • Serve as key liaison for one or more academic units; align fundraising strategies with dean-defined priorities and program needs.
  • Develop deep knowledge of university and unit priorities. Partner with faculty and program leaders and understand student success initiatives, to align donor interests with institutional needs.
  • Represent Advancement at donor and university events as assigned.
  • Contribute to special projects and cross-unit initiatives that advance institutional and campaign fundraising goals.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelors degree.
  • Minimum of 5 years of fundraising (or closely related) experience with direct donor engagement and solicitation.
  • Demonstrated success closing major gifts.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree.
  • 7+ years of frontline major gift experience.
  • Experience with STEM and/or professional school donors.
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Experience with Blackbaud Raisers Edge NXT.

Work Environment & Conditions

  • Periodic out-of-state travel.
  • Occasional evening or weekend work.

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