What Do Directors of Development Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for directors of development?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what directors of development do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Directors of Development Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about directors of development by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Directors of Development organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization’s work, goals, and financial needs.
Popular Job Titles For Directors of Development
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Grant Writers
- Major Gifts Officers
- Development Associates
- Development Officers
- Fundraisers
- Nursing Professional Development Specialists
- Philanthropy Officers
- Market Development Specialists
- Annual Giving Officers
- Advancement Coordinators
- Youth Development Specialists
- Fundraising Coordinators
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for directors of development can be found.
Best Industries for Directors of Development
Directors of Development Jobs By Industry
- Grantmaking and Giving Services: 14.4%
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: 12.7%
- Religious Organizations: 11.1%
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 8.3%
- Social Advocacy Organizations: 6.2%
- Individual and Family Services: 5.4%
- Other: 41.9%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of directors of development can be found working in the Grantmaking and Giving Services sector. In 2023, about 14.4% of all jobs for directors of development were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (12.7%), Religious Organizations (11.1%), Education and Hospitals (State Government) (8.3%), Social Advocacy Organizations (6.2%) and Individual and Family Services (5.4%).
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Degree Options for Directors of Development
Learn how to evaluate, support and integrate communications efforts to help move businesses in front of their competition, including executing strategic plans, developing print materials, and creating digital content in a variety of professional positions, such as PR specialist, copywriter and marketing coordinator.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Enter the exciting field of public relations by building knowledge and skills in a wide range of PR-related areas, including community outreach, media relations, events, publicity and more.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Learn to develop and maintain a positive public image for organizations by strengthening and maintaining external relationships.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Class Type: 100% online
- Years To Complete: 3
Stand out with a specialized master’s degree focused entirely on strategically integrating marketing and communication.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Develop into a well-rounded, adaptive and strategic business leader with a comprehensive mindset.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your master's degree online and earn real-world skills to advance your career within public service.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Do Directors of Development Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what directors of development do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work directors of development do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that directors of development tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for directors of development, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Directors of Development
Based on 22,426 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Directors of Development
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Fundraising | 12,722 | 57% |
| Sales Prospecting | 7,750 | 35% |
| Marketing | 5,082 | 23% |
| Philanthropy | 3,678 | 16% |
| Project Management | 3,204 | 14% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Directors of Development
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 12,705 | 57% |
| Writing | 8,514 | 38% |
| Management | 7,531 | 34% |
| Research | 7,527 | 34% |
| Leadership | 6,998 | 31% |
Based on 22,426 job postings related to directors of development, fundraising was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 57% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for sales prospecting, marketing, philanthropy, project management and raiser's edge nxt were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for directors of development, followed by writing, management, research, leadership and detail oriented.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Fundraising | 12,722 | 57% |
| Sales Prospecting | 7,750 | 35% |
| Marketing | 5,082 | 23% |
| Philanthropy | 3,678 | 16% |
| Project Management | 3,204 | 14% |
| Raiser's Edge NXT | 2,956 | 13% |
| Customer Relationship Management | 2,839 | 13% |
| Grant Writing | 2,833 | 13% |
| Planned Giving | 2,638 | 12% |
| Finance | 2,376 | 11% |
| Prospect Research | 2,056 | 9% |
| Administrative Support | 1,846 | 8% |
| Salesforce | 1,806 | 8% |
| Data Entry | 1,747 | 8% |
| Grant Applications | 1,722 | 8% |
| Public Relations | 1,469 | 7% |
| Accounting | 1,379 | 6% |
| Advertising Mail | 1,199 | 5% |
| Database Management | 1,186 | 5% |
| Event Planning | 1,177 | 5% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 12,705 | 57% |
| Writing | 8,514 | 38% |
| Management | 7,531 | 34% |
| Research | 7,527 | 34% |
| Leadership | 6,998 | 31% |
| Detail Oriented | 6,722 | 30% |
| Planning | 5,533 | 25% |
| Microsoft Office | 5,106 | 23% |
| Coordinating | 4,583 | 20% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 4,541 | 20% |
| Microsoft Excel | 4,461 | 20% |
| Customer Service | 4,322 | 19% |
| Organizational Skills | 3,754 | 17% |
| Self-Motivation | 3,545 | 16% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 3,358 | 15% |
| Operations | 3,285 | 15% |
| Sales | 3,226 | 14% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 3,089 | 14% |
| Time Management | 3,029 | 14% |
| Presentations | 3,008 | 13% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Directors of Development
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Writers | 5,403 | 20.8% |
| Major Gifts Officers | 4,924 | 19% |
| Development Associates | 3,577 | 13.8% |
| Development Officers | 1,576 | 6.1% |
| Fundraisers | 1,052 | 4.1% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was grant writers, with 1,982 unique job postings. Major gifts officers were second, with 1,424 postings, followed by development associates, development officers and fundraisers.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to directors of development.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Writers | 5,403 | 20.8% |
| Major Gifts Officers | 4,924 | 19% |
| Development Associates | 3,577 | 13.8% |
| Development Officers | 1,576 | 6.1% |
| Fundraisers | 1,052 | 4.1% |
| Nursing Professional Development Specialists | 928 | 3.6% |
| Philanthropy Officers | 1,251 | 4.8% |
| Market Development Specialists | 1,549 | 6% |
| Annual Giving Officers | 587 | 2.3% |
| Advancement Coordinators | 583 | 2.2% |
| Youth Development Specialists | 638 | 2.5% |
| Fundraising Coordinators | 475 | 1.8% |
| Development Coordinators | 579 | 2.2% |
| Organizational Development Specialists | 441 | 1.7% |
| Family Development Specialists | 389 | 1.5% |
| Planned Giving Officers | 420 | 1.6% |
| Advancement Associates | 565 | 2.2% |
| Gift Officers | 299 | 1.2% |
| Fundraising Associates | 402 | 1.5% |
| Directors of Development | 299 | 1.2% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for directors of development? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for directors of development.
How much do directors of development make?
Directors of Development: How do you become one?
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