Divisional Development Director - Southwest Division

Young Life; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Young Life is seeking a Divisional Development Director to expand private philanthropic support across the division. The role partners with senior leaders to drive campaign strategy, manage a major gift portfolio, and align donor passions with Young Life Mission Priorities.

The position requires strategic fundraising expertise, strong relationship skills, and the ability to travel as needed to engage donors and volunteers in support of ministry goals.

Responsibilities

• Oversee portfolio of ~125 prospects, advancing them through a relationship-centered engagement process.
• Provide strategic counsel to regional and area directors in local campaigns.
• Develop and maintain a compelling Case for Support including current and legacy options.
• Collaborate with Global Field Development to align divisional needs with field ministry objectives.
• Plan travel and schedule discovery/qualification/major gift appointments.
• Coordinate with the Young Life Foundation and partners on gift planning and giving structures.
• Lead volunteer committees to shape divisional ministry priorities and fundraising strategies.
• Establish robust impact reporting and data integrity within Young Life CRM systems.

Skills

Donor relations

Major gifts

Portfolio management

Travel planning

Job description

If you are currently on Young Life staff, please do not apply through this external jobs board. To apply for internal job opportunities, log in to Workday and use the Jobs Hub. Applying externally may delay your application and require you to resubmit internally. Young Life requires all employees to sign a Statement of Faith. We recommend you read this statement before applying for any position. Because of Young Life 's exclusive Christian purposes of evangelism and discipleship as set forth in its Articles of Incorporation and in these Bylaws, and to reflect what has always been and will continue to be the position of Young Life , specifically the Christian belief that each and every employee and volunteer of the corporation should minister as a servant of God with the primary responsibility of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and, as such, is an integral part of the Christian mission and ministry of the corporation , Young Life shall only employ individuals or enlist volunteer leaders who: (a) profess a belief in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord; and (b) subscribe to the statements and policies required of all Young Life staff, including the Young Life Statement of Faith. Therefore, employees and volunteers of Young Life , during working and nonworking hours, shall: (i) be ready, willing and able to fulfill such ministry functions as may be required by the organization; (ii) refrain from conduct and statements that detract from the biblical standards taught and supported by Young Life , and (iii) abide by all policies and practices of Young Life including, without limitation, those related to religious belief or ministry activities.

The Divisional Development Director works in close, collaborative partnership with the divisional SVP, Regional Directors, Area Directors, and volunteer committees to expand private philanthropic support across the division. Serving as a strategic partner to the field, this role drives the development, management, and successful funding of the division's campaign vision. This leader will independently manage a major gift portfolio ($50,000+), using a relationship-centered approach to identify, connect, ask, and steward prospects. Central to this role is the ability to bridge field ministry needs with donor passions, demonstrating a clear ability to represent both divisional needs and Young Life Mission Priorities to the unique philanthropic hearts of individual donors.

Essential Duties & Core Responsibilities

Spiritual Development

• Develop a yearly personal growth plan that fosters a vibrant spiritual life including time for solitude, retreat, reflection, study, prayer, and worship.
• Ensure that all Young Life work is designed and carried out with an awareness of and in alignment with Young Life 's Values and Methods.
• Develop strong spiritual disciplines and accountability considering possible distance supervision and travel schedule.

Campaign Leadership

• Divisional Alignment: Partner closely with the divisional SVP to bring strategic fundraising value to the overall divisional strategy.
• Campaign Management: Oversee, plan, and execute all supporting activities for the campaign, including timeline management, donor events, communication strategies, and stewardship.
• Case for Support: Oversee the creation, implementation, and maintenance of an up-to-date campaign "Case for Support," ensuring it includes both "give now" (current) and "give in the future"(legacy) options.
• Field Collaboration: In partnership with Global Field Development, provide strategic counsel to regional and area directors in their local campaigns,building trust and alignment between development and field ministry.

Portfolio Management; Relational Fundraising Major Gift Solicitation & Pipeline Growth

• Actively manage a portfolio of approximately 125 prospects, moving them through the relationship-centered engagement pipeline.
• This includes an intentional focus on donor discovery, qualification, and bringing new, untapped major gift prospects into the Southwest Division pipeline.

Donor Engagement

• Plan travel and schedule appointments for discovery, qualification, and major gift asks.

Gift Planning

• Coordinate with the Executive Director of YL Foundation and partners to utilize both current and planned giving structures to meet donor needs and campaign goals.

Volunteer Committee Management Strategic ECC Partnership

• Partner directly with any active volunteer Executive Campaign Committee (ECC) and its Chair to shape, refine, and align divisional ministry priorities with overarching fundraising strategies.

Impact Accountability & Reporting

• Establish a robust feedback loop for the ECC; design and deliver comprehensive impact reports that transparently communicate how investments are advancing the division and achieving campaign milestones.

Database, Analytics & Reporting CRM Accountability

• Maintain strict data integrity within Young Life systems. Ensure all visits, calls, and ne