Development Director

Placements24; South Africa; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive executive salary and bonus

Hybrid work arrangement

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan with employer

Growth opportunities

Generous vacation and holiday time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Development Director in Paarl to lead fundraising and donor relations, blending strategic leadership with hands-on engagement in a hybrid setup. You will design and implement strategies to increase philanthropic support, cultivate major gifts, and manage the development team, working with the executive team and board.

The role requires extensive nonprofit fundraising experience, excellent communication, and a proven gift-securement track record.

Qualifications

• At least 7 years of progressive nonprofit fundraising leadership experience.
• Proven track record securing major gifts and managing development programs.
• Strong leadership, strategic planning, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including proposals.
• Experience with donor databases/CRM (Raiser's Edge, Salesforce).
• Bachelor's degree;Master's degree or CFRE certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan including major gifts, annual giving, corporate partnerships and grants.
• Cultivate and steward major donors to ensure ongoing engagement and significant contributions.
• Lead and mentor the development team to foster a collaborative, high‑performing environment.
• Oversee creation of fundraising materials, proposals and case statements.
• Organize fundraising events, virtual and in-person.
• Manage the development budget and ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors on fundraising efforts and engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Donor cultivation

Proposal writing

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

CFRE certification

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Salesforce

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a visionary and experienced Development Director to lead their fundraising and donor relations efforts in Paarl . This hybrid role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on engagement, requiring you to work both remotely and from their office location. You will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive strategies to increase philanthropic support, cultivate major gifts, and manage donor relationships. This leadership position is critical to the organization's sustainability and growth, requiring a deep understanding of fundraising best practices and a passion for our mission. You will work closely with the executive team, board of directors, and development staff to achieve ambitious financial goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan encompassing major gifts, annual giving, corporate partnerships, and grants.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, ensuring ongoing engagement and significant contributions.
• Lead and mentor the development team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Oversee the creation of compelling fundraising materials, including proposals, case statements, and campaign collateral.
• Organize and execute fundraising events, both virtual and in-person.
• Manage the development budget and ensure accurate financial reporting related to fundraising activities.
• Work closely with the Board of Directors on their fundraising efforts and engagement.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in non-profit fundraising and development, with a significant portion in leadership roles.
• Proven success in securing major gifts and managing comprehensive development programs.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong understanding of donor cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in proposal writing.
• Proficiency with donor databases and CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce).
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or CFRE certification is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive executive salary and bonus structure.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and impact.
• Generous vacation and holiday time.