Development Lead

The Development Lead is responsible for leading and executing CreateAccess’ fundraising and holistic communications work. This is a first-of-its-kind position at CreateAccess, for a self-motivated, outcome-oriented person. This role is both strategic and hands-on; you will help design the roadmap and actively move the work forward.

The Development Lead position is a hybrid, full-time, salaried position with an expectation of 35-40 hours/week of work.

What you’ll do:

Fundraising Strategy and Execution

• With guidance from the Executive Director, secure and grow diversified revenue by designing and executing CreateAccess’ first comprehensive fundraising strategy across corporate partnerships/sponsorships, foundations, grants, and individual donors.
• Drive consistent revenue generation and growth through focused prospecting, developing compelling proposals, proactively fostering authentic relationships with funders, and completing follow-up engagement and reporting.
• Ensure fundraising performance and accountability by setting clear revenue targets and timelines, and consistently meeting or exceeding them.
• Protect and enable revenue growth by ensuring full compliance with state charities registration requirements in all jurisdictions where funds are solicited.

Donor and Funder Relationships

• Strengthen donor relationships and retention by implementing a CRM system that tracks engagement, giving history, and stewardship activities.
• Sustain and scale revenue by equipping leadership with compelling briefing materials, persuasive talking points, and disciplined follow-up strategies for every donor interaction.
• Drive larger and repeat gifts by translating program impact into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with funders and demonstrate alignment with their values and philanthropic priorities.

Communications and Messaging

• Clarify and sharpen CreateAccess’ market positioning by helping define an organizational voice and messaging framework that communicates CreateAccess’ unique value and instills stakeholder confidence.
• Increase engagement of donors and other stakeholders by leading the development of core storytelling materials (testimonials, program highlights, impact reports, etc.) that clearly demonstrate our impact.
• Strengthen brand consistency and trust by ensuring cohesive, resonant messaging across our website, social media, and all stakeholder communications.
• Scale communications output and effectiveness by providing strategic direction and clear guidance to the Communications Coordinator.
• Improve engagement by reviewing and strengthening outward-facing content to ensure clarity, emotional resonance, and alignment with organizational goals.

We’re looking for:

• 8-12+ years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, and/or communications
• Demonstrated success securing funding from corporations, foundations, and individuals
• Strong grant writing and proposal development experience
• Highly collaborative, authentic, proactive networker and relationship-builder with strong emotional intelligence
• Excellent storytelling and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex work into clear, compelling narratives
• Experience developing fundraising and communications strategy
• Excitement about working in an early-stage nonprofit environment, and both building new systems and strengthening existing ones
• Ability to collaborate closely with executive leadership and other team members while also working independently
• Familiarity with CRM systems and fundraising best practices
• Resourcefulness, proactivity, curiosity, and flexibility
• Commitment to CreateAccess’ mission and values
• Ability to attend in-person events in the Greater Philadelphia area, with potential occasional travel outside this area
• Some evening and weekend availability required

• Benefits package including health insurance and generous paid time off
• Hybrid position with majority remote work and some flexibility in working hours
• High growth potential
• Opportunity to contribute substantively to an early-stage tech education nonprofit, and meaningfully help shape our direction while building your own skills and professional network