Development Director

Development Director

Location Henderson, CO 80640 Date Posted June 26, 2026 Job ID 14869 Employment Type Direct Hire

Scion Executive Search has been engaged to conduct an immediate search for a Development Director for our client, an established Colorado-based nonprofit animal sanctuary dedicated to animal welfare and community engagement. This is a full-time position based in Denver, Colorado, and is available immediately.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

As a senior member of the leadership team, the Development Director will craft and implement a robust fundraising strategy that drives the organization's mission forward and ensures its long-term financial health. This role will spearhead a major capital campaign in support of a $14M campus improvement initiative, while also cultivating diverse and sustainable revenue streams through major gifts, foundation support, membership growth, and corporate partnerships.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about mission-driven work, entrepreneurial and proactive, and comfortable working with donors and community leaders. They will be a strategic thinker who is equally willing to execute day-to-day fundraising tasks, with a strong ability to inspire philanthropic investment in mission-driven work.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the formation of the Advisory Board and partner closely with Board members to advance fundraising priorities.
• Guide board members through donor cultivation strategies and facilitate key introductions.
• Develop briefing materials and fundraising plans to support board-level engagement.
• Oversee donor databases and manage the prospect pipeline.
• Monitor fundraising metrics and progress against revenue goals.
• Compile updates and reports for leadership and board review.
• Manage documentation requirements for grant submissions, sponsorships, and funding applications.
• Lead the organization's social media presence to amplify development and fundraising initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor's degree is required, along with 5-10 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising roles.
• Demonstrated track record of securing major gifts ranging from $25K to $1M, along with foundation grants.
• Hands-on experience leading capital campaigns or other large-scale fundraising efforts.
• Solid background building relationships with high-net-worth individuals and corporate partners.
• Experience within animal welfare, conservation, education, or a related mission-driven sector preferred
• Familiarity with developing donor recognition initiatives or naming opportunity campaigns.
• Track record of launching or growing membership or donor society programs.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Skilled grant writer with strong proposal development experience.
• Strategic mindset paired with the ability to carry out fundraising initiatives effectively.
• Confident engaging with philanthropists, foundation representatives, and corporate executives.
• Highly organized, with the ability to juggle multiple fundraising efforts at once.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This full-time role offers a base salary of $120,000 to $200,000 (DOE), along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes health coverage and paid time off.

HOW TO APPLY:

For immediate consideration, please provide your resume and cover letter, sharing more about your experience and interest in this role via https://scionexecutivesearch.com/job/14869 .

ABOUT OUR FIRM:

Scion Executive Search is an award-winning retained executive search firm. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the United States. Through innovative team building and recruitment solutions, Scion Executive Search seamlessly bridges the gap in interim and executive searches.

We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm as well as a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm and our practices can be found online.

Scion Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent. ??

For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.