Director of Development

Waveny Care Network; New Canaan (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Waveny LifeCare Network in Connecticut seeks a Director of Development to lead annual giving, oversee grants administration, and strengthen donor stewardship. The role partners with Marketing on fundraising communications and oversees a Development Coordinator.

The position requires senior fundraising leadership and collaboration across departments. The organization is advancing a major capital campaign and emphasizes donor engagement, strategic outreach, and accountability.

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including annual giving and grants administration.
• Experience implementing fundraising strategies and achieving measurable fundraising results.
• Experience managing staff, budgets, and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Exceptional written, verbal, organizational, and project management skills.
• Experience with donor database systems and fundraising reporting.
• Collaborative leadership style with ability to engage donors, volunteers and partners.
• Healthcare or nonprofit fundraising experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of Annual Giving strategies and donor acquisition initiatives.
• Direct Waveny's Grants Administration program, including grant writing, reporting, and institutional relationships.
• Develop and strengthen donor stewardship and recognition programs.
• Lead fundraising communications and annual giving appeals in collaboration with the Marketing Department.
• Supervise the Development Coordinator and oversee departmental workflow, budgets, reporting, and project management.
• Support major gift cultivation and capital campaign initiatives led by the Chief Development Officer.
• Build collaborative relationships across the organization to strengthen philanthropy and donor engagement.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Annual giving

Grants administration

Donor stewardship

Fundraising operations

Staff management

Budget management

Project management

Written communication

Verbal communication

Donor database systems

Tools

Donor database systems

Job description

Waveny LifeCare Network is one of Connecticut's leading nonprofit providers of healthcare and senior services, serving more than 1,000 individuals each day through skilled nursing, rehabilitation, home healthcare, hospice, assisted living, independent living, and community-based services.

Waveny is currently advancing a transformational $15 million capital campaign to construct a new 41,000-square-foot rehabilitation center that will expand access to care for hundreds of additional patients each year.

Primary Responsibilities

The Director of Development will:

• Lead implementation of Annual Giving strategies and donor acquisition initiatives.
• Direct Waveny's Grants Administration program, including grant writing, reporting, and institutional relationships.
• Develop and strengthen donor stewardship and recognition programs.
• Lead fundraising communications and annual giving appeals in collaboration with the Marketing Department.
• Supervise the Development Coordinator and oversee departmental workflow, budgets, reporting, and project management.
• Support major gift cultivation and capital campaign initiatives led by the Chief Development Officer.
• Build collaborative relationships across the organization to strengthen philanthropy and donor engagement.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Seven or more years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including success in annual giving, grants administration, donor stewardship, and fundraising operations.
• Demonstrated success implementing fundraising strategies and achieving measurable fundraising results.
• Experience managing staff, budgets, and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Exceptional written, verbal, organizational, and project management skills.
• Experience with donor database systems and fundraising reporting.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to build strong relationships with donors, volunteers, colleagues, and community partners.

Healthcare or nonprofit fundraising experience is preferred.

Compensation

Salary Range: $120,000–$130,000, commensurate with experience.

Waveny offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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