Development Director

New Life Center; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

New Life Center in Fargo, ND is seeking a Development Director who will lead fundraising, donor engagement, and community partnership efforts. The role requires strategic oversight to deepen supporter engagement and expand outreach opportunities.

Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years' relevant experience. Passion for mission-driven work and strong leadership skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in fundraising, development, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience with major donor fundraising.
• Ability to engage and equip volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a fundraising strategy.
• Manage and lead the development team.
• Cultivate long-term relationships with donors.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Relationship building

Communication skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Summary

The Development Director is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for strategic leadership of New Life Center’s fundraising, donor engagement, volunteer engagement, and community partnership efforts. This role develops and executes a comprehensive fundraising and engagement strategy that generates contributed revenue, deepens supporter engagement, and expands opportunities for individuals, churches, businesses, and community partners to engage in the mission of New Life Center through giving, serving, and prayer.

Essential Functions

• Department Leadership
  • Lead: Provide clear vision, direction, and alignment for the development team and volunteers, modeling New Life Center's core values and fostering a healthy, high-performing culture.
  • Manage: Ensure the right people are in the right roles, set clear expectations, develop team members through coaching and mentorship, and consistently monitor performance through effective communication, problem‑solving, and ongoing support.
  • Hold Accountable: Drive results by holding self and others accountable to goals, priorities, fundraising activity, donor engagement expectations, and measurable outcomes to ensure follow‑through and continuous improvement.
• Fundraising Strategy and Revenue Leadership
  • Create, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive fundraising strategy with clear objectives, goals, and initiatives designed to achieve annual and long‑term contributed revenue targets.
  • Maintain accountability for all contributed revenue goals, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate giving, planned giving, events, digital fundraising, and other initiatives.
  • Cultivate meaningful, long‑term relationships with an assigned portfolio of existing and prospective donors with the capacity to make significant annual and transformational gifts.
  • Provide strategic oversight for donor programs, ensuring effective cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and long‑term donor engagement.
  • Lead and coach fundraising staff to strengthen relationship‑building, donor engagement, stewardship, and fundraising effectiveness.
  • Partner closely with the Marketing Director to align fundraising strategy, donor communications, campaigns, events, volunteer engagement initiatives, and community outreach efforts with revenue and relationship objectives.
  • Review donor data, giving trends, and fundraising performance metrics to inform strategy, identify growth opportunities, and strengthen long‑term revenue sustainability and diversification.
• Relationship Development, Volunteer Engagement, and Community Partnerships
  • Develop and strengthen meaningful relationships with donors, churches, businesses, community partners, and other key supporters to advance New Life Center's mission and strategic priorities.
  • Cultivate and manage a select portfolio of major donor relationships, focusing on individuals with the capacity to make significant annual and transformational gifts.
  • Oversee volunteer engagement strategy and experiences, ensuring volunteers are meaningfully connected, well‑supported, and aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Ensure a meaningful and consistent supporter experience that helps donors, volunteers, and partners clearly understand the impact of their involvement and encourages long‑term engagement.
  • Represent and periodically speak on behalf of New Life Center at community meetings, partner gatherings, churches, donor events, and public forums to strengthen awareness, trust, and support.
• Operations, Systems, and Administrative Oversight
  • Oversee donor and volunteer relationship‑management systems, including CRM administration, donor records, gift processing, receipting, and stewardship practices.
  • Monitor and report on fundraising, donor engagement, volunteer engagement, and revenue performance, providing regular updates to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
  • Provide financial oversight of the development function, including budgeting, forecasting, and expense management.
  • Evaluate and improve development systems, processes, reporting, and operational workflows to increase effectiveness, scalability, and organizational stewardship.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Reporting Line

The Development Director reports to the Executive Director.

Qualifications

• Must be engaged in a local church and exhibit a personal, evident, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Compassionate heart for those in need.
• Willingness to serve others.
• Desire to see the lost transformed through the love of Christ.
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, or related field, including leadership or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience in major donor fundraising, relationship management, and executing successful fundraising strategies.
• Experience with donor databases/CRM systems and analyzing giving data to inform strategy.
• Experience engaging and equipping volunteers, boards, or stakeholders in fundraising efforts preferred.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Ability to pass a pre‑employment drug test and background check.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and provide proof of insurance as required for the performance of job duties.

Skills

• Passion for mission‑driven, ministry‑focused work with the ability to invite others into giving, serving, and engagement.
• Strong relationship‑building and interpersonal skills, effectively engaging donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and donor‑facing communication.
• Proven leadership ability, including coaching, developing, and motivating staff, volunteers, and stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking skills, translating vision into actionable fundraising plans.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, track performance metrics, and adjust strategies accordingly.
• High level of organization, attention to detail, and follow‑through.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, and demonstrate personal integrity.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, donor management tools, and cloud‑based and traditional software applications.
• Adaptability and ability to lead through change in a dynamic environment.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible schedules, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Work Environment

• Primarily office‑based with regular local travel for donor engagement, community meetings, speaking engagements, and events.
• Fast‑paced and dynamic environment requiring management of multiple priorities to support fundraising, engagement, and organizational goals.
• Regular use of office technology, including computers, phones, CRM systems, and cloud‑based platforms.
• Physical requirements include periods of sitting, standing, walking, and occasional travel for meetings, events, or donor and partner engagement.
• Full‑time position with a flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, and occasional travel.
• Position works in a recovery‑adjacent environment and requires adherence to professional boundaries, respectful workplace conduct, and organizational policies.

ADA & Reasonable Accommodation

New Life Center complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Qualified individuals are considered for positions based on their ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable law unless doing so would cause undue hardship or pose a direct threat to safety.

Religious Bona Fide Occupational Qualification

New Life Center is a faith‑based Christian ministry. Consistent with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, alignment with New Life Center's Statement of Faith and values may be considered a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) for this position. Employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the organization's Christian mission, beliefs, and code of conduct.