Job Title: Development Director
Dept. /Program: Administration
Reports To: Executive Director
FLSA Status: Exempt
Approved By: Executive Director
Approval Date: October 2025
POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for the strategic development and execution of all fund development activities such as fundraising events, individual giving, corporate, foundation and local grants, as well as management of community partnerships to ensure that the Women’s Shelter of East Texas, Inc. (WSET) has adequate monetary and in-kind resources to fulfill the mission and that donors and volunteers are effectively leveraged. This position is responsible for providing support and oversight for the Prevention Program and for ensuring that community outreach strategies are cohesive, valuable, and timely.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
Development:
In close coordination with the Executive Director, oversees all fund development activities for the agency, such as research and solicitation of local grants, corporate, foundation and individual donor solicitations.
Cultivates major gifts and relationships with agency donors.
Supervises stewardship and data management tracking of agency donors and prospects.
In conjunction with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, oversees planning and execution of Capital Campaigns to benefit the agency.
Actively participates in fundraising activities and recruitment of donors.
Oversees the development of an Annual Report for the agency.
Plans, formulates and oversees implementation of an annual development plan, which uses the agency’s newsletter, annual report, website and media and public speaking opportunities to raise the agency’s profile and meet the goals of the agency’s Strategic Plan.
Participates with the Executive Director and other key staff in long-range planning in order to ensure continuing quality service delivery.
Works with agency leadership and staff to assist in developing Strategic Plans for WSET and helps ensure adequate resources necessary to accomplish achievement of agency goals.
Works to develop and maintain positive relationships with agencies, community representatives, funders, and professional organizations with the purpose of maximizing participation in meeting the agency’s mission.
Community Outreach/Education:
Represents the agency to the community through speaking engagements, providing tours and acting as a spokesperson when appropriate at community events.
With the Marketing and Communications Coordinator, develops and maintains an agency culture that celebrates the contributions of volunteers and cultivates volunteer participation as part of community partnerships activities.
Directs and monitors the agency’s website.
Oversees all social media for the agency.
Manages development and upkeep of printed materials related to agency services to ensure communications are cohesive, up-to-date and inviting.
Directs and oversee the preparation and distribution of press releases and contact with local news media.
Manages the development of regular newsletter and/or e-newsletter.
Works in conjunction with the Executive Director, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, and Thrift Store Director to actively promote and market all Thrift Stores
Oversees educational presentations, educational seminars, training programs for professionals, and preparation of informational materials to a broad range of the community including schools, universities, businesses, service organizations, and churches.
Conducts speaking engagements regarding the agency as requested.
Serves on community committees as requested by the Executive Director in order to inform the community of the services provided by the organization and to interpret the needs of the agency.
Grant Management:
Works in coordination with the Grant Manager to monitor monthly program statistics and reports to ensure performance measures and grant compliance.
Works in coordination with Grant Manager to ensure grant reports, statistics, and general documentation is completed timely and appropriately.
In conjunction with the Executive Director and Grant Manager, meets with contract monitors and assist in response to client services related monitoring findings. Issues instructions to appropriate staff regarding findings follow through to ensure that responses are compiled, and changes, if necessary, appropriately implemented.
Ensures policies and procedures are congruent with requirements of contractors/funding entities. Recommends amendment/additional policies and procedures to the Executive Director as appropriate.
Ensures grant-monitoring records are updated and reviewed for program services.
Prevention:
Provides supervision and guidance to ensure that the Prevention Program is meeting grant requirements, submits accurate and timely performance reports, and works to enhance the approved activities to focus on prevention and prevention approved activities as needed.
Researches effective prevention practices best suited with community readiness and needs and stays up-to-date on research-based violence prevention strategies and programs.
Oversees coordination of efforts to engage the community in prevention strategies and activities.
Assists in the development of education/prevention programs for service area.
Works with other program directors and administrative staff to develop materials and resources for the prevention program.
Miscellaneous:
In accordance with the philosophy of the agency, may be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed above.
Promotes and acts in accordance with the agency’s mission and goals.
Attends and participates in agency staff meetings and other agency functions as directed by Executive Director.
Attends conferences as directed by Executive Director.
Other duties as assigned by Executive Director.
Believes in, promotes and acts in accordance with the agency's mission and goals.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Directly supervises the Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Grant Manager, and Prevention Coordinator.QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and the ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.EDUCATION, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Applicant must have at least a Bachelors degree in a related field and significant relevant work experience. Program management skills and strong personnel management skills required; strong sense of teamwork and cooperation; excellent written and oral communication skills to include public speaking experience; proven track record of successful fundraising and event planning experience required; high level of personal integrity, diplomacy, discretion, and tact is necessary; proficient in Microsoft Office products preferred.; flexible with ability to work independently and exhibit creativity; able to manage multiple priorities concurrently and meet deadlines.LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to write accurately and concisely for client file documentation and staff information. Ability to speak effectively before groups and clients. Ability to communicate in a helpful and courteous manner. Bilingual skills in English/Spanish strongly preferred.MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, as it applies to the required weekly and monthly reports, and practical situations.REASONING ABILITY
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to organize workloads and set priorities to carry out assigned tasks in a timely manner. Ability to manage multiple duties. Ability to demonstrate discretion and common sense.CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Must have and maintain a valid Class C Texas Drivers License and proof of current insurance. Must have and maintain an acceptable criminal record check.PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.This job requires frequent, prolonged sitting, walking and standing. Frequent telephone contact. Occasional local and out of town travel.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Occasional exposure to communicable diseases. Occasional exposure to violent, abusive individuals. Occasional exposure to clients with addiction and/or psychiatric disorders. Occasional exposure to physically aggressive children.
