Director of Development & Philanthropy

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Job Title: Director of Development & Philanthropy

Reports to: President & CEO

Job Status: Exempt, Salaried, Full-time

Pay Rate: Salary (base salary, based on experience and current Detroit-market data)

Primary Location: Hybrid-Detroit HQ with remote flexibility (candidates should live in Michigan, Metro-Detroit area)

Organizational Overview

Through tax assistance, advocacy, small-business technical assistance, and partnerships, Accounting Aid Society (AAS) is focused on creating an economy that works for everyone. We’re using taxes to build relationships and relationships to build futures—including yours. Accounting Aid Society, a Crain’s Best-Managed Nonprofit (2008 and 2020), fosters an always-learning and innovative environment, offers best-in-class benefits, and values employee well-being and collaboration.

Position Summary

The Director of Development & Philanthropy is Accounting Aid Society's chief fundraising strategist and team leader. The Director designs and executes a multi-year revenue-growth plan that integrates major gifts, institutional giving, annual fund, sponsorships, and events.

Reporting to the President & CEO and serving on the agency’s leadership team, the Director partners with the Board of Directors and a lean, high-capacity staff to achieve ambitious revenue goals that advance AAS’s mission of promoting economic mobility and alleviating poverty. The Director coaches development team members through data-driven moves-management, pipeline forecasting, and campaign ROI analysis, and oversees marketing and communications to ensure mission-aligned storytelling supports every fundraising initiative. Success in this role is measured by sustained revenue growth, high donor retention, and timely, transparent reporting to the CEO, Board Development Committee, and Finance team.

The Team You'll Lead

• Manager of Institutional Giving (FTE) – institutional grants & reporting
• Major Gifts Officer (FTE)- manages major gifts portfolio,drives moves-management and solicitations for major gifts, and builds the planned-giving pipeline.
• Grant Writer (contract, PT) – proposal drafting & research
• Development Coordinator (0.25 FTE) – data, acknowledgments, admin
• Marketing Coordinator (FTE) – content & digital campaigns
• Public Relations Firm (contract) – media outreach & branding
• Database & Analytics Consultant (contract)-CRM optimization, data integrity, dash reports

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Team Management

• Serve on the staff leadership team, translating agency strategy into revenue and visibility goals.
• Supervise and mentor a multidisciplinary team of employees and contractors; provide guidance, support, and performance feedback.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture that promotes teamwork, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Set clear objectives and expectations, monitor progress, and ensure alignment with organizational objectives.
• Run weekly moves-management huddles and monthly KPI reviews for all fundraising lines.
• Conduct regular team meetings, facilitate professional-development opportunities, and create a positive work environment.

Revenue Strategy & Pipeline Management

• Develop and implement a strategic, multi-channel fundraising plan to achieve financial objectives and support the organization's mission.
• Identify funding sources across individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies.
• Guide the Major Gifts Officer on portfolio segmentation, ask strategies, and donor journeys.
• Design innovative campaigns and initiatives to engage existing and prospective donors.
• Continuously evaluate fundraising efforts and adjust strategies to optimize results.

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, sponsors, and funding partners.
• Develop personalized cultivation plans for major donors and lead efforts to secure major and estate gifts.
• Coordinate donor appreciation and recognition initiatives to ensure continued engagement.
• Provide regular impact updates to donors, showcasing the organization's achievements.

Communications, Annual Fundraising & Events (oversight)

• Ensure brand standards and messaging are consistent across all channels.
• Serve as spokesperson when delegated by the CEO; equip staff and board with key messages.
• Oversee the Marketing Coordinator’s digital communications calendar, GivingTuesday, and monthly-giving initiatives.
• Develop event budgets, timelines, and marketing strategies; coordinate internal and external resources; evaluate outcomes and implement improvements.

Data & Analytics Innovation

• Maintain high CRM data hygiene; track fundraising revenue, expenses, and KPIs through dashboards.
• Partner with the Database Consultant and IT team to evaluate and implement data and automation tools that ethically enhance prospect research, proposal drafting, and stewardship.

Budgeting and Financial Management

• Collaborate with Finance to develop and monitor the fundraising & communications budget.
• Track revenue, expenses, and performance indicators; provide regular reports to the executive team and Board Development Committee.

Job Qualifications:

Successful candidates will possess all or many of the following qualifications and/or skills:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, marketing, communications, or related field (Master’s or CFRE preferred).

Experience:

• 7+years progressive fundraising success (including major gifts & grants) and 3+years supervising staff or contractors.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Proven track record of successful fundraising, particularly in securing major gifts and grants, preferably within the nonprofit sector.
• Strong knowledge of fundraising principles, techniques, and best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive and compelling writing abilities for donor communications.
• Demonstrated experience in team leadership and management, fostering collaboration, and achieving results through others.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with a demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with donors and funding partners.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, with the capability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in using fundraising software and databases.
• Experience working with social service agencies in the Metro Detroit area, as well as familiarity with the nonprofit sector and knowledge of philanthropic trends, is advantageous.

Benefits

Accounting Aid Society offers a comprehensive employee benefits package, including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Paid Time Off (12 observed paid holidays, vacation days accrual & bereavement days)
• Life insurance
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• AFLAC voluntary supplemental insurance (e.g., accident, hospital, critical illness, short-term disability)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan, with match
• Pre-Tax Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care Accounts & Dependent Account)
• HSA (Health Savings Account)
• Certification Assistance
• Employee Discount Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 20% off of tuition and fees, University of Michigan-Dearborn & Davenport University; additional discount on select Michigan State offerings
• Hybrid Work Schedule (in/out of office work)

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Accounting Aid Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, protected veteran or military status, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to our Paylocity Portal.