Director of Development

Catalyst, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Catalyst, Inc. in New York is seeking a Director of Development to lead our major gifts program and drive sustainable revenue growth.

You will design and execute strategies to secure transformational gifts, building a diversified pipeline from corporate, foundation, and individual donors. As a senior fundraising leader, you will collaborate with executives to align priorities with opportunities, translate initiatives into compelling investment proposals, and steward high-value donors across our

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 6–8 years of progressive fundraising experience with emphasis on major gifts.
• Demonstrated success closing six-figure gifts and managing high-value portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Build, manage, and grow a portfolio of high-value donors and funding partners, including corporations, foundations, and individual philanthropists.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major and transformational gifts, with a focus on contributions of $100,000+.
• Develop and execute donor engagement and stewardship strategies to strengthen relationships and increase funding.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities while overseeing external fundraising consultants and partners to support revenue growth.
• Lead the development and execution of engagement plans for key accounts, ensuring coordinated interactions across the organization.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to align donor interests with Catalyst’s programs and thought leadership initiatives.
• Track and report on portfolio performance, pipeline health, and revenue projections.
• Collaborate with Global Revenue and Supporter Success teams to design compelling funding opportunities.
• Work with communications to develop proposals and donor-facing materials.
• Support leadership in positioning Catalyst’s value proposition to senior executives and funders.
• Manage foundation relationships, including outreach, proposal development, and reporting.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Donor relations

Portfolio management

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Salary: $110,000 - $125,000 USD (Placement within this range is dependent upon experience and geographical location)

SUMMARY

The Director of Development is a strategic and results-driven fundraising leader responsible for designing and executing Catalyst’s major gifts strategy to drive sustainable revenue growth. This role identifies and develops funding opportunities, cultivates and secures major and transformational gifts, and builds a diversified pipeline of corporate, foundation, and individual donors.

As a highly visible ambassador for Catalyst, the Director leverages influence, relationship-building, and strategic partnership development to engage senior business leaders, funders, and key stakeholders. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Director works closely with executive leadership to align fundraising priorities with organizational goals, translate strategic initiatives into compelling investment opportunities, and expand Catalyst’s network of supporters and champions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES

Major Gifts Strategy & Revenue Generation

• Build, manage, and grow a portfolio of high-value donors and funding partners, including corporations, foundations, and individual philanthropists
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major and transformational gifts, with a focus on securing contributions of $100,000+.
• Develop and execute donor engagement and stewardship strategies to strengthen relationships and increase funding.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities while overseeing external fundraising consultants and partners to support revenue growth.

Strategic Account Management

• Lead the development and execution of engagement plans for key accounts, ensuring coordinated, high-quality interactions across the organization.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to align donor interests with Catalyst’s programs, research, and thought leadership initiatives.
• Track and report on portfolio performance, pipeline health, and revenue projections.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Global Revenue and Supporter Success team and program leaders to design compelling funding opportunities.
• Work closely with communications and marketing teams to develop proposals, presentations, and donor-facing materials.
• Support leadership in positioning Catalyst’s value proposition to senior executives and funders.

Foundation Relations & Grants

• Manage foundation relationships, including outreach, proposal development, and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements and maintain strong stewardship practices.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 6-8 years of progressive fundraising experience, with a strong emphasis on major gifts.
• Demonstrated success in securing and growing major and transformational gifts.
• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to influence and engage senior executives and stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate organizational priorities into fundraising opportunities.
• Demonstrated track record of closing six-figure gifts and managing high-value portfolios.
• Experience working with corporate partners, foundations, and/or membership-based organizations preferred.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, both written and verbal.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• High level of discretion and ability to manage confidential information.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally and independently.

About Catalyst, Inc.

Catalyst is a global organization with headquarters in New York and cohorts in Canada and Europe. Our agile workforce thrives on collaboration and delivers meaningful results from all over the world.

Our mission inspires us every day: to make workplaces work for women. Because when workplaces work for women, they work for everyone. Guided by our core values — Responsibility, Collaboration, Authenticity, and Innovation — we create a culture where innovation thrives and meaningful change happens.