Development Lead: CreateAccess

Bryn Mawr College; Bryn Mawr (PA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Generous paid time off

Opportunity for professional development

Job summary

A nonprofit organization in Pennsylvania is seeking a Development Lead to spearhead fundraising and communications strategies. This hybrid position involves a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on execution, where the selected candidate will design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, manage donor relationships, and enhance communications. Ideal applicants should have extensive experience in nonprofit environments, relationship-building skills, and a commitment to the organization's mission. A robust benefits package is offered, facilitating professional growth in a progressive setting.

Qualifications

• 8-12+ years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, and/or communications.
• Demonstrated success securing funding from corporations, foundations, and individuals.
• Strong grant writing and proposal development experience.
• Highly collaborative and proactive networker with strong emotional intelligence.
• Ability to attend in-person events in the Greater Philadelphia area.

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising strategy and revenue growth efforts.
• Strengthen donor relationships and implement a CRM system.
• Clarify CreateAccess’ market positioning and communications.
• Lead development of core storytelling materials for stakeholders.

Skills

Fundraising strategy development

Grant writing

Relationship building

Storytelling

Nonprofit communications

Tools

CRM Systems

Job description

• Salary: USD $70,000 – $90,000 / year (Depending on experience and demonstrated success in related roles)
• Cause Areas: Education, Science & Technology, Children & Youth

Description

The Development Lead is responsible for leading and executing CreateAccess’ fundraising and holistic communications work. This is a first-of-its-kind position at CreateAccess, for a self-motivated, outcome-oriented person. This role is both strategic and hands‑on; you will help design the roadmap and actively move the work forward.

The Development Lead position is a hybrid, full‑time, salaried position with an expectation of 35-40 hours/week of work.

What you’ll do:

Fundraising Strategy and Execution

• With guidance from the Executive Director, secure and grow diversified revenue by designing and executing CreateAccess’ first comprehensive fundraising strategy across corporate partnerships/sponsorships, foundations, grants, and individual donors.
• Drive consistent revenue generation and growth through focused prospecting, developing compelling proposals, proactively fostering authentic relationships with funders, and completing follow‑up engagement and reporting.
• Ensure fundraising performance and accountability by setting clear revenue targets and timelines, and consistently meeting or exceeding them.
• Protect and enable revenue growth by ensuring full compliance with state charities registration requirements in all jurisdictions where funds are solicited.

Donor and Funder Relationships

• Strengthen donor relationships and retention by implementing a CRM system that tracks engagement, giving history, and stewardship activities.
• Sustain and scale revenue by equipping leadership with compelling briefing materials, persuasive talking points, and disciplined follow‑up strategies for every donor interaction.
• Drive larger and repeat gifts by translating program impact into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with funders and demonstrate alignment with their values and philanthropic priorities.

Communications and Messaging

• Clarify and sharpen CreateAccess’ market positioning by helping define an organizational voice and messaging framework that communicates CreateAccess’ unique value and instills stakeholder confidence.
• Increase engagement of donors and other stakeholders by leading the development of core storytelling materials (testimonials, program highlights, impact reports, etc.) that clearly demonstrate our impact.
• Strengthen brand consistency and trust by ensuring cohesive, resonant messaging across our website, social media, and all stakeholder communications.
• Scale communications output and effectiveness by providing strategic direction and clear guidance to the Communications Coordinator.
• Improve engagement by reviewing and strengthening outward‑facing content to ensure clarity, emotional resonance, and alignment with organizational goals.
• 8-12+ years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, and/or communications
• Demonstrated success securing funding from corporations, foundations, and individuals
• Strong grant writing and proposal development experience
• Highly collaborative, authentic, proactive networker and relationship‑builder with strong emotional intelligence
• Excellent storytelling and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex work into clear, compelling narratives
• Experience developing fundraising and communications strategy
• Excitement about working in an early‑stage nonprofit environment, and both building new systems and strengthening existing ones
• Ability to collaborate closely with executive leadership and other team members while also working independently
• Familiarity with CRM systems and fundraising best practices
• Resourcefulness, proactivity, curiosity, and flexibility
• Commitment to CreateAccess’ mission and values
• Ability to attend in‑person events in the Greater Philadelphia area, with potential occasional travel outside this area
• Some evening and weekend availability required
• Benefits package including health insurance and generous paid time off
• Hybrid position with majority remote work and some flexibility in working hours
• Opportunity to contribute substantively to an early‑stage tech education nonprofit, and meaningfully help shape our direction while building your own skills and professional network

Location

Hybrid

Work must be performed in Pennsylvania, US

While not required for consideration, applicants are invited to submit an optional cover letter and/or 1-2 work samples related to this role to support their applications.