Director of Development

The Director of Development leads the organization's efforts to increase awareness, engagement, and financial support to ensure access to JazzED’s music education programs. We are looking for an experienced leader to collaborate with the Executive Director and Program Director and make a significant impact on the future of our organization.

You will be responsible for sustaining and growing an engaged community of individual supporters through communications, events, and relationship management. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will be a key member of the organization’s leadership team comprised of the ED, Program Director and Operations Director. This key leadership position is expected to provide mentorship through role modeling for staff and thought partnership for leaders, helping to ensure the organization’s success.

The development director supervises the full-time communications manager who supports both fundraising and marketing through storytelling and ensuring a consistent organizational voice, as well as a part-time administrative assistant who assists with gift entry and database maintenance. This role is also expected to manage temporary staff and contractors in association with outreach and performance events.

Our office is located in South Lake Union and staff are in the office at least two days a week on Tuesday and Wednesdays. Our flexible hybrid office culture allows our staff to balance their personal and professional needs and commitments. The nature of this position requires occasional evening and weekend work. Because we are a small staff, there is an expectation that all staff pitch in for events like concerts, community events, and the annual gala fundraiser.

The anticipated start date for this position is July 2026.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Fundraising - 75% 

• In partnership with the Executive Director, develop and execute strategies to meet the organization’s annual fundraising goals through individual giving and events that support donor stewardship.
• Use donor segmentation and data analytics to inform cultivation, stewardship, and campaign strategy.
• Create and implement an annual fundraising plan focused on expanding JazzED’s community of champions to build a diversified portfolio of major donors, institutional funders, and corporate partners.
• Develop and maintain a donor pipeline, with a focus on identifying and cultivating new major gift prospects annually.
• Coordinate with our grant consultants to support completion of grant applications as well as ensure timely and accurate tracking, reporting, and acknowledgement of grants and contributions.
• Lead a team comprised of staff and contractors to plan fundraising and outreach events, including our annual gala.
• Overseeing fundraising related administration including ensuring timely donor acknowledgments and accurate tax receipts as well as accurate reconciliation of fundraising income.
• Work with the board’s fundraising committee and committee chair to ensure best utilization of board member’s time and talent in support of the organization’s fundraising efforts.
• Prepare quarterly performance reports to assist the Executive Director in communicating fundraising and donor stewardship progress to the board of directors.

Communications - 15% 

• Work together with the Communications Manager to develop and implement outreach plans that enhance donor engagement and support fundraising efforts.
• Implement timely and compelling donor communications to ensure supporters are engaged at regular intervals throughout the year.

Organizational Leadership - 10% 

• Participate in strategic programmatic and fundraising planning in support of the organization’s mission and vision.
•  Regularly attend staff meetings, retreats, planning sessions, and program events throughout the year to ensure understanding of JazzED’s work in the community. 
• Regularly engage and activate JazzED’s board of directors for major events and fundraising campaigns by providing talking points, training, and individualized donor engagement strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in fundraising, nonprofit management, communications, marketing, or a related field
• 5-7 years of nonprofit fundraising, development, or related experience with a track record of securing major gifts and growing a donor base.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills; ability to maintain a positive, professional, and service-oriented demeanor toward a variety of donors, funders, sponsors and other stakeholders
• Strong organizational and project management abilities and meticulous attention to detail; Skilled at prioritizing and balancing multiple work streams
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration and teamwork, particularly in a hybrid work environment
• Proficient in, or able to quickly adapt to using Microsoft collaboration and productivity tools including Excel, SharePoint, and Teams
• Familiarity with donor management software (Little Green Light) and digital marketing tools
• Passion for JazzED’s mission and commitment to making music education accessible to all youth regardless of their abilities or ability to pay
• Be legally authorized to work in the U.S and upon hire, must be able to pass a background check

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Experience working in the nonprofit arts space in Washington and in particular the Seattle area.
• Experience managing large fundraising events such as a gala

• 100% of medical, vision, and dental premiums paid by employer
• Employer sponsored SIMPLE IRA with up to 3% employer matching contribution
• Generous time off: 15 days of paid vacation and 23 holidays including one week in mid June and one week between Christmas and New Years.
• 6 days sick leave
• Hybrid work schedule and flex time policy
• Employee ORCA Card Transit Pass