Job Title: Director of Development
Date: February 20, 2026
Classification: Exempt
Supervisor: President and Executive Director
Compensation: $120,000–130,000 per annum, with benefits
Position Summary:
The Director of Development oversees all aspects of fundraising, including major gifts, individual giving, membership, foundations, annual appeals, special events, corporate partnerships, and government grants.
Responsibilities:
- Work in close partnership with the Executive Director and the Development Committee of the Board to set and achieve fundraising goals.
- Direct the spring benefit, Poetry & the Creative Mind, during National Poetry Month.
- Direct the fall Chancellors Reading Benefit.
- Steward foundation, individual, and corporate donors and oversee appeals and proposals.
- Direct the membership program and benefit fulfillment.
- Supervise donor database management.
- Manage the direct mail and online membership campaigns, including working with consultants.
- Oversee production of monthly financial reports and perform analysis to identify trends and suggest improvements or tests.
- Manage the departmental budget and reconcile monthly with Finance.
- Manage membership and fundraising communications and solicitations on Poets.org.
- Oversee the development and production of a membership newsletter and Benefactor newsletter.
- Create compelling emails, donation pages, and social media promotions.
- Encourage online audiences to make a gift through targeted messaging.
- Create and coordinate social media promotions for membership and development-related events.
- Oversee the promotion of planned giving on Poets.org and American Poets magazine.
Qualifications & Competencies
- 10+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience.
- Strong team management skills.
- Steep experience in individual giving, membership, and major gifts.
- Foundation grant writing experience.
- Advanced knowledge of popular CRMs, with Raiser's Edge experience.
- Proven track record of success in organizing special events.
- Commitment to providing excellent customer service.
- Commitment to excellence in database administration.
- Strong written and oral communications skills.
- A passion for poetry, literature, and the arts a plus.
To apply, email your cover letter and resume as one PDF to careers@poets.org, with the job title and your last name in the subject line.