Director of Development

Mountain Careers LLC.; Vail (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-supplemented health, dental,和

Job summary

Walking Mountains is seeking a Director of Development to lead donor relations, build a major gifts pipeline, and guide fundraising strategy. The role reports to the President and supervises several team members, with cross‑department collaboration to sustain fiscal health.

The position also drives the annual giving program, expands corporate partnerships, and oversees high-profile donor events including the signature gala and auctions, while ensuring strong donor stewardship.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of nonprofit development or fundraising experience preferred.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Experience managing teams and coordinating donor events.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deepen relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate donors.
• Lead annual giving program and develop corporate partnerships.
• Oversee donor stewardship and engagement events, including galas and auctions.
• Collaborate with President, VP Development, and other departments to meet fundraising goals.

Skills

Donor relations

Moves management

Staff management

Event oversight

Fundraising strategy

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Prospect development

Tools

Donor databases

Job description

Position Summary
The Director of Development is a senior member of the Development Team at Walking Mountains who reports to the President and has several direct reports. The Director manages and deepens relationships across an assigned portfolio of individual donors, family foundations, and major corporate donors to build the pipeline of future mid-level and major donors as well as identifies and cultivates new prospects, helping to strengthen the organization’s overall pipeline of philanthropic support.

The Director also leads the annual giving program; helps develop strategies to expand corporate partnerships; and provides overall leadership for Development-related events, including Walking Mountains’ signature gala and auctions as well as donor stewardship and engagement events.

The Director collaborates with all members of the Development Team, including working with the President, Vice President of Development and Senior Director of Grants and Strategic Initiatives as well as collaborating selectively with board members and committees to help achieve overall fiscal sustainability goals. The Director will also partner with the Vice President of Development and other colleagues across the organization, including Marketing, Finance, and Programs, on Development priorities requiring cross-department collaboration.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate is an experienced, relationship-driven fundraiser who enjoys engaging with donors, is comfortable asking for significant gifts, is tenacious and thoughtful in follow-up, and brings strong skills in moves management, prospect development, staff management, event oversight, and fundraising strategy.

Additional qualifications are included below.

• Five or more years of progressively responsible nonprofit development or comparable fundraising experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and project-management skills.
• A skilled leader with experience motivating teams with effective communication, collaboration, trust, empowerment and respect.
• Proficiency with donor database systems and technology, including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.
• Strategic, collaborative, self-motivated, and accountable, with enthusiasm for the mission of Walking Mountains.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse teams and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• A flexible, team-oriented approach and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as donor engagement, events, and other Development priorities require.

Benefits:

• Employer-supplemented health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401K Plan with employer match
• 15 days of PTO (starting), 12 paid holidays, and 12 days sick leave
• Flexible Spending Account and Healthcare Savings Account options
• Life insurance and short-term disability insurance
• Discounted Ski pass
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Pro Deals