Development Director

Position Overview

The Development Director (DD) will be responsible for raising $750K–$1MM in annual private funding while serving as the lead communicator for Joyful Readers, conveying the organization’s value proposition through donor/prospect engagement, events, grants and media. The DD will work in close partnership with the Executive Director, who remains actively involved in major donor and foundation relationships, and the full staff team who support events, grant reporting, and communications. The DD is a member of the organization’s leadership team and will report to the organization’s Executive Director. Joyful Readers plans to add a direct report (manager-level) under the DD role starting in late 2025 / early 2026.

Anticipated start date: April 2026

Expected salary: $110,000 per year, plus benefits

This is a Philadelphia-based position with a hybrid work structure. The Development Director must be available to work in person on a regular basis for donor meetings, networking events, biweekly in-person staff meetings, and other organizational events. While some work may be performed remotely, the role requires consistent, reliable in-person presence in the Philadelphia area, which is an essential function of the position. When in-person attendance is not required, the Development Director may choose to work from the office or remotely.

Position Details

Corporate, Foundation, and Individual Giving

• Manage and steward current and future individual, corporate, and foundation donors with consistent reporting, communication, engagement, and recognition
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit individual, corporate, and foundation prospects and donors with a special emphasis on unrestricted giving / general operating support
• Manage a grants calendar and oversee grant applications and reporting
• Work with the Executive Director and Board Chairs to manage a Development Committee that supports the outreach and fundraising of board members
• Lead with a community-centric fundraising mindset and tactics that centers our students, schools, and AmeriCorps tutors in donor engagement activities

Events, External Engagement, and Relationships

• Implement events (including our marquee Young Reader of the Year Awards, our Back-to-School Happy Hour, MLK Day of Service and in-school volunteer reading days) that raise awareness and funds while engaging new and existing champions
• Manage and update event-specific materials such as speaker invitations, scripts, event look and feel, briefings, and media releases
• Develop and implement a communications and marketing strategy that keeps our donors and other key stakeholders feeling connected and informed
• Oversee the creation of promotional and communications materials
• Collaborate with the Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator to develop content for social media, e-newsletter, website, appeals, and other publications
• Collaborate with the leadership team to develop messaging, talking points, and scripts for key internal and external audiences
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to build strong relationships with community leaders, elected officials, and other champions

Development Operations and Systems Building

• Review and revise operational systems and research technology solutions associated with donor records and external communications (such as CRM database, marketing automation software)
• Ensure accurate prospect/donor record keeping; collaborate with colleagues to ensure records are kept for non-development partnerships

Organizational Support and Leadership

• Meet weekly as a member of the organizational leadership team
• Forge connections and relationships with AmeriCorps members and staff across the organization

Benefits

This is a full-time position; all Joyful Readers full-time employees receive generous paid time off allowances (vacation, sick and organization holidays). Full-time employees may participate in our benefit programs including health and dental insurance, and retirement benefits.

Employment at Joyful Readers is at-will. Joyful Readers does not sponsor work authorization visas.

Position Qualifications

• At least 8 years of experience in development, communications, external relations, or non-profit management, or comparable experience in the government or private sectors
• Proven experience building relationships across sectors and demonstrated background in achieving revenue goals
• Outstanding written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
• High level of attention to detail; proven organizational and project management skills
• Experience serving as a spokesperson and a keen understanding of media relations, including a demonstrated ability to develop and execute creative campaigns; comfort using social media platforms and engaging diverse audiences
• Experience planning and executing successful donor cultivation and retention events, as well as annual fundraisers
• Knowledge, understanding and relationships with the Philadelphia donor community preferred
• Occasional availability to work nights and weekends stewarding relationships and attending events
• Strong commitment to collaborating with a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce and working effectively with people with different work styles and backgrounds
• Technology skills including proficiency with Microsoft Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams), database/CRM platforms, and virtual meeting platforms
• Comfort collaborating on visual storytelling (photo/video), whether hands-on or through vendors and partners
• Experience working in communities and/or schools with majority Black and/or Latinx populations preferred
• AmeriCorps experience a plus

As an equal opportunity employer, Joyful Readers is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

How to Apply

E-mail us at serve@joyfulreaders.org

Please include your resume or CV highlighting your relevant experiences. Please submit your application as a Word or PDF file.

This is a full-time position; all Joyful Readers full-time employees receive generous paid time off allowances (vacation, sick and organization holidays). Full-time employees may participate in our benefit programs including health and dental insurance, and retirement benefits.

Employment at Joyful Readers is at-will. Joyful Readers does not sponsor work authorization visas.