Development Director — Donor Growth & Storytelling (Hybrid)

Breakthrough Houston; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (employer-sponsored)

Dental and vision benefits

401(k) with 5% employer match

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Breakthrough Houston is seeking a dynamic Development professional in Houston with a hybrid work model. The role focuses on owning donor cultivation, storytelling, and stewardship, building impactful relationships with mid-level and major donors, and leading flagship events.

You will manage portfolios, identify new donors, and collaborate across teams to advance Breakthrough’s mission—equity and opportunity in education—through strategic fundraising and partnerships.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in externally facing, relationship-driven work in fundraising, sales, partnerships, client relations, or similar roles
• A track record of building relationships that led to measurable results: gifts, sales, partnerships, or revenue
• Experience carrying a goal and meeting it, whether revenue, sales, enrollment, or a campaign target
• Confidence in building relationships with senior leaders and decision-makers
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Responsibilities

• Own and manage a portfolio of mid-level and major individual donors, with cultivation plans and moves management in Salesforce
• Identify and cultivate new donors through events, board and volunteer introductions, and research
• Grow the number of donors giving $1,000+ and upgrade annual donors to higher levels of giving
• Own the fundraising goal for flagship events and the sponsor, table, auction, and individual-gift strategy behind it
• Recruit and work with event co-chairs and committees; manage the fundraising timeline, sponsor benefits, and day-of fundraising program
• Source new event sponsors, table buyers, auction items, and individual and corporate donors, and renew prior-year supporters
• Coordinate with program staff and event vendors so the fundraising program, auction, and guest experience support giving
• Conduct post-event stewardship and a debrief so each event builds on the last
• Support corporate partnerships with research, proposals, stewardship, and reporting

Skills

Relationship building

Storytelling

Resilience

Follow-through

Partnership

Persuasion

Community ties

Results ownership

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Breakthrough Houston is seeking a dynamic Development professional in Houston with a hybrid work model. The role focuses on owning donor cultivation, storytelling, and stewardship, building impactful relationships with mid-level and major donors, and leading flagship events.

You will manage portfolios, identify new donors, and collaborate across teams to advance Breakthrough’s mission—equity and opportunity in education—through strategic fundraising and partnerships.