Director of Development

Job Description

Position: Director of Development

Department: Development
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports To: President & Chief Executive Officer
Direct Reports: Development Associate
Salary Range: $85,000 – $125,000

Work Flexibility: Occasional remote work may be approved, in alignment with organizational needs and supervisory approval.
Last Revision: December 2025

Join our dynamic and diverse team of professionals making an impact!

LifeBridge Community Services is a trauma-informed, community-centered nonprofit committed to addressing the complex mental health and wellness challenges faced by youth, adults, and families in the Greater Bridgeport community. We provide trauma-informed services and promote collaboration and shared learning to maximize our impact. Our continuum of mental and behavioral health services includes talk therapy, clinical art therapy, school-based supports, youth development programs, and community education on the biology of trauma and the skills that foster regulation and resilience.

LifeBridge is committed to building a diverse, inclusive workplace where every team member feels a sense of belonging and is valued for their unique contributions. In all interactions—with clients, colleagues, partners, and community members—we strive to embody our core values: to be trauma-informed, respectful, transparent, collaborative, deliberate, and impactful.

Job Purpose

The Director of Development leads LifeBridge’s donor pipeline development and portfolio management strategy and execution to support long-term growth and financial sustainability. Guided by community-centric fundraising principles, this role actively builds, manages, and advances a robust donor pipeline through structured prospect research, segmentation, targeted cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across individual, major, corporate, and institutional donors.

This role is primarily accountable for building and advancing a healthy donor pipeline—identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors using data-informed strategies, disciplined moves management, and consistent front-line engagement.

In addition, the Director of Development oversees LifeBridge’s broader fundraising strategy and execution, managing structured fundraising activities and revenue channels including annual giving, major gifts, institutional funding, corporate partnerships, and fundraising events.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic, self-driven fundraiser with an established network of philanthropic, corporate, and community relationships in Southwest Connecticut. This role requires a proactive “go-getter” who thrives in front-line donor engagement, is energized by building a culture of philanthropy, and is motivated by ambitious fundraising goals and measurable results.

This is a relational, front-line fundraising role that combines strategic leadership, donor portfolio ownership, and hands-on execution within a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership

Donor Pipeline Development, Portfolio Management & Moves Management

• Own and actively manage a portfolio of individual, major, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects with clear annual and multi-year revenue targets.
• Lead donor pipeline development, including:
  • Prospect research and qualification
  • Donor segmentation and prioritization
  • Strategic cultivation planning
  • Timely solicitation
  • Personalized stewardship and renewal
• Implement disciplined moves management, tracking touchpoints, next actions, timelines, and outcomes to advance donors through the pipeline.
• Use donor data, CRM insights, and local market intelligence to identify upgrade opportunities, re-engage lapsed donors, and increase donor lifetime value.
• Ensure each portfolio has:
  • Defined cultivation strategies
  • Regular, meaningful donor contact
  • Clear ask strategies and stewardship plans

Board & Leadership Engagement

Campaigns & Annual Fundraising Event

Development Operations & Systems

Financial Oversight & Performance Tracking

Team Leadership

Core Outcomes

Success in this role will be reflected by:

Education & Experience

Skills & Attributes

Confidentiality: The employee will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement and must adhere to all applicable federal and state confidentiality laws, including HIPAA for protected health information and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) for student records. Violation of confidentiality requirements may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate dismissal.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment: This position works in office, community, and partner settings and requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, lift up to 25 pounds, and travel locally. The work environment ranges from quiet office spaces to active community or program settings and involves regular interaction with staff, clients, and partners. This position requires occasional evening and weekend hours to accommodate donor meetings, cultivation events, and community engagements, reflecting the front-line fundraising nature of the role.

Disclaimer: The President & CEO may modify this job description based upon agency needs; may require the employee to perform functions beyond those mentioned; and may treat the employee as an at-will employee.