Director of Development

Food Connect

Director of Development

Job Description

Location: Greater Philadelphia Area (Headquarters)

Hybrid Work: 60% remote, 40% in person, some travel

About Food Connect

Food Connect is a growing nonprofit with a dynamic startup culture, dedicated to bridging the gap between surplus food and communities in need. We are a small team operating in five key markets, Greater Philadelphia (our headquarters), the Bay Area, Kansas City, Newark and the Twin Cities. We are committed to innovative solutions in food rescue and hunger relief. As demand for our services surges, we seek driven, self-starting professionals to join our mission.

Position Description

Food Connect seeks a strategic, disciplined, and relationship-driven Director of Development to design and lead a sophisticated, multi-market fundraising program capable of generating $3-8M+ annually, with a clear pathway toward long-term national scale.

The Director of Development will serve as a trusted thought partner to the CEO, helping translate Food Connect’s mission, strategy, and measurable impact into compelling philanthropic investments. This leader will build durable systems, elevate donor relationships, and cultivate a culture of clarity, accountability, and professionalism across the organization.

The Director will manage a small team, collaborate with Regional Directors, and work cross-functionally with Communications & Advocacy, and Finance to build a cohesive, compelling national fundraising strategy.

Compensation

Annual Base Salary: $110,000-$130,000

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic & Institutional Leadership

• Partner closely with the CEO and senior leadership to architect and execute a multi-year revenue strategy aligned with organizational priorities and growth plans.
• Translate long-term strategy into clear annual fundraising goals, KPIs, and operational plans, ensuring discipline and follow-through.
• Help strengthen Food Connect as an institution, ensuring fundraising systems are credible, transparent, repeatable, and scalable.
• Serve as a senior external ambassador for Food Connect with funders, philanthropic advisors, corporate partners, and sector leaders.
• Foster a culture that values clarity, preparation, and partnership.

Fundraising & Revenue Growth

• Fundraising Leadership: Develop and execute a robust, multi-channel fundraising strategy that includes major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, government grants, and innovative revenue-generating models.
• Market-Specific Support: Work closely with Regional Directors in each market to tailor fundraising strategies to local needs, leveraging regional networks to drive financial support.
• Major Donor & Corporate Engagement: Cultivate and steward relationships with high-net-worth individuals, philanthropic foundations, and corporate partners to secure transformative gifts.
• Partner with the CEO and Board to support strategic introductions, donor meetings, and stewardship touchpoints.
• Government Grants & Contracts: Identify, apply for, and manage government funding opportunities, ensuring compliance and alignment with organizational goals.
• Innovative Revenue Models: Explore and implement fee-for-service models and other entrepreneurial funding strategies within the nonprofit sector.
• Collaboration & Leadership: Work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and senior leadership to align fundraising strategies with organizational objectives.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Oversee donor databases and reporting systems to track fundraising progress, measure impact, and refine strategies.

Team Leadership & Performance Management

• Set and manage KPIs for fundraising efforts, including donor acquisition, retention, and growth.
• Oversee Development Manager and lead department strategy towards organizational goals
• Oversee the execution of high-impact donor campaigns, events, and annual fundraising initiatives.
• Ensure donor stewardship best practices to maintain and grow long-term donor relationships.

Candidate Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, major gifts, and/or institutional fundraising.
• Demonstrated success raising $3M+ annually through diversified revenue streams.
• Deep experience with major donors, foundations, and complex funding relationships.
• Strong strategic thinking paired with operational rigor.
• Comfort partnering closely with CEOs and Boards in high-stakes fundraising environments.
• Experience building or strengthening development systems within a growing organization.
• A leadership style grounded in calm, credibility, and trust.
• Strong leadership abilities with experience managing development teams.
• Ability to analyze and use fundraising data to drive strategy and decision-making.

Interview Process

• PI Assessment
• 15 Minute Pre Screen Call
• Round 1 - 30 minute Interview: Skills assessment
• Round 2 - 60 minutes Deep dive into experience, your areas of excellence, your “Why"
• Round 3 - 45 minute Interview - Exploring goals, vision, core values
• Round 4 - 90 minute Interview - In-person, deep dive on organization, questions, fit

Additional Benefits:

• Paid Vacation Leave (10 days/year after 3 months)
• Paid Sick Leave (5 days after 3 months)
• Paid Birthday Leave (1 day/year after 3 months)
• Paid Work Anniversary (1 day/year after 3 months)
• 12 Paid US Holidays
• 4-week paid leave at 5-year work anniversary
• 401k benefits
• Healthcare benefits
• Work from home with as-needed in-person meetings
• Flex-time options
• Supportive work/life balance in a high-performing, friendly team environment

Additional Benefits:

• Paid Vacation Leave (10 days/year after 3 months)
• Paid Sick Leave (5 days after 3 months)
• Paid Birthday Leave (1 day/year after 3 months)
• Paid Work Anniversary (1 day/year after 3 months)
• 12 Paid US Holidays
• 4-week paid leave at 5-year work anniversary
• 401k benefits
• Healthcare benefits
• Work from home with as-needed in-person meetings
• Flex-time options
• Supportive work/life balance in a high-performing, friendly team environment

English highly fluent or native level