Managing Director of Development

Harlem Children's Zone

. Provide strategic leadership, coaching, and performance management to three Directors responsible for Major Gifts, Institutional Giving, and Development Operations.

Posted 10/24/2026full-timeUnited StatesLead💰 $230,000 - $240,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates strategic leadership in fundraising, with expertise in major gifts, donor strategy, and team development. Proven ability to cultivate relationships and drive organizational priorities through effective communication and collaboration.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Major Gifts FundraisingTeam Leadership and DevelopmentStrategic Fundraising PlanningDonor Relationship ManagementFundraising Analytics

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Fundraising StrategyDonor CultivationPerformance ManagementProposal DevelopmentRevenue Goal SettingBoard EngagementOperational PlanningCross-Functional CollaborationFundraising AnalyticsPortfolio Management

Soft Skills

Relationship BuildingCommunication SkillsEmotional IntelligenceAdaptabilityJudgment

Tools & Technologies

Raiser’s EdgeCRM Platforms

Industry Keywords

Philanthropic PartnershipsNonprofit FundraisingTrustee EngagementOrganizational CapabilityContinuous Improvement

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide strategic leadership, coaching, and performance management to three Directors responsible for Major Gifts, Institutional Giving, and Development Operations.
Partner with the Chief Development Officer to develop and execute an integrated fundraising strategy, establish revenue goals, monitor performance, and strengthen long-term growth.
Lead cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and strategic management of major donors and high-capacity prospects.
Strengthen board engagement in fundraising by supporting trustee cultivation, preparing meeting materials, and developing fundraising strategies and donor communications.
Drive alignment and collaboration across the development function through cross-vertical planning, effective systems and processes, and disciplined execution of annual and multi-year priorities.
Collaborate with senior leadership and program teams to align fundraising strategies with organizational priorities and emerging opportunities.
Develop presentations, proposals, donor communications, and strategic materials supporting donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Development Officer and active member of the senior leadership team.
Champion collaboration, operational excellence, continuous improvement, leader development, organizational capability, and shared accountability for fundraising success.
Manage a curated portfolio of major donors and prospects while advancing institutional fundraising priorities.

Requirements

What you’ll need

A demonstrated record of success leading sophisticated fundraising programs, with deep experience in major gifts, donor strategy, and cultivating transformational philanthropic partnerships that drive sustained revenue growth.
Proven experience leading, developing, and inspiring high-performing teams, with a leadership style rooted in coaching, collaboration, accountability, and talent development.
Experience partnering with executive leaders and boards, including supporting trustee engagement, preparing board materials, and contributing to fundraising strategy and governance discussions.
Strong strategic, analytical, and business acumen, with the ability to translate organizational priorities into actionable fundraising strategies, measurable goals, and operational plans.
Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and inspire a wide range of stakeholders, including donors, trustees, senior leaders, and external partners.
Sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and executive presence, with the ability to navigate complexity, build trust, and lead with integrity, professionalism, and humility.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing initiatives, make sound decisions in a dynamic environment, and consistently deliver high-quality results through others.
Intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning and innovation, with the ability to identify opportunities for improvement and respond effectively to evolving organizational needs.
Demonstrated ability to lead through change, influence across functions, and build alignment among diverse stakeholders while maintaining momentum toward organizational priorities.
Experience leveraging donor databases and fundraising analytics, such as Raiser’s Edge or comparable CRM platforms.
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
A minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including at least 3–5 years of experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
Applicants preferred in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or the surrounding Metropolitan area.
Ability to work 3 days in office and 2 days remote, with schedule flexibility as needed.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for community events and meetings.
Ability to travel overnight to various communities nationwide.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Highly competitive base salaries
No cost health insurance
Annual performance bonuses
Deferred bonus programs
Paid time off
Employee referral bonus
Life Insurance
Short-and long-term disability
Additional voluntary benefits
Wellness discounts
Commuter benefits
Financial wellness perks
Additional Benefits (Discounts on flights, hotels, theme parks, concert tickets, and more.)