Director of Development (Remote)

The Diabetes Link is a national 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to empower young adults (YAs) with diabetes to thrive by providing open access to peer communities and connections, YA-relevant education and access resources, and professional development and advocacy opportunities. Our vision is a future where all young adults are equipped and inspired to live confidently and courageously with diabetes.

Position Summary

The Director of Development leads The Diabetes Link’s fundraising and advancement strategy, ensuring the expansion and sustainability of fundraising initiatives and revenue streams. This includes individual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate memberships, corporate sponsorships, and earned income. This senior leader will be responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive development program that balances immediate revenue needs with long-term growth opportunities. 

The successful candidate will be a strategist and hands-on fundraiser. Adept at designing long-term growth plans and cultivating donor relationships, the candidate will bring a proven track record of securing major gifts and a strong understanding of how to align donor priorities with organizational goals. Above all, they will embody The Link’s core values such as caring and balance, accountability and trust, curiosity and listening, investing in inclusion, embracing learning, and having fun while doing good.

This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is a member of the Leadership Team.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Development (60%)

• Lead efforts to secure at least $3M+ annually through individual giving, foundation and corporate support, and grants, with a strategic focus on growing revenue to $5M+ annually in the next several years.

• Oversee the creation and execution of annual fundraising campaigns, including major gifts, special events, and planned giving programs.

• Build a robust pipeline of major donors, foundations, and corporate partners through proactive cultivation and stewardship.

• Oversee development operations to ensure excellence in gift tracking, database management, donation acknowledgement, reporting, and compliance with charitable regulations and registrations.

• Direct the team in driving initiatives, optimizing resources, and clarifying roles and responsibilities through efficient systems and processes.

• Develop innovative funding opportunities such as fee-for-service or cause marketing.

• Guide grant strategy, overseeing proposal development, submissions, and reporting. 

• Use data-driven insights to evaluate fundraising performance and adjust strategies to improve outcomes.

Strategic Leadership & Team Management (15%)

• Develop a comprehensive annual development plan that sets goals, metrics, and budgets for individual and institutional giving programs.

• Develop and refine the systems and processes that will support the infrastructure for increased fundraising activities.

• Drive clarity by resolving ambiguities, implementing structured systems and processes, and leveraging design thinking to foster innovation and effective solutions.

• Work closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and the Leadership Team to identify and pursue new opportunities for funding, partnerships, and growth.

• Support the annual financial audit and 990 tax return in collaboration with the external CFO, ensuring all development-related financial records and donor documentation are accurate and audit-ready.

• Ensure alignment of Development goals with The Link’s overall strategic plan and annual budget, ensuring funding and resources are effectively allocated.

• Manage the Development Team, providing clear direction, professional development, and performance feedback.

External Relations & Partnerships (15%)

• Lead The Link’s conference engagement strategy with funders, including planning and executing donor meetings, sponsorship activations, and visibility opportunities at industry events.

• Represent and collaborate with others who represent The Link at external events and discussions with key community stakeholders.

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with other nonprofits, government agencies, and philanthropic entities.

• Develop and implement strategies to broaden The Link’s network and influence within the local and national philanthropic landscape.

• Ensure that The Link’s expansion efforts are supported by effective fundraising and partnership strategies.

Communications & Marketing (10%)

• In partnership with the Director of Marketing and Communications, develop and implement strategic internal and external communications to elevate The Link’s brand, reputation, fundraising efforts and events, and community impact.

• In partnership with the Director of Programs & Community, develop and implement a fundraising strategy for chapters and young adults, including redefining fundraising requirements to align with The Link’s capacity and community engagement goals. 

• Work with the Marketing and Communications team to strategically incorporate fundraising messaging across all communication channels, including the website, social media, and publications.

• Work with the Marketing and Communications team on the creation of publications, including the annual impact report, internal and development-related external newsletters, and press materials.

• A minimum of 10 years of previous development leadership experience, including at least five years in a top fundraising position, with a successful track record in securing major gifts, managing a team, and setting philanthropic strategy.

• Proven success in independently overseeing and advancing a multifaceted development program.

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with a diverse range of donors and stakeholders, inspiring new supporters to invest in the mission and deepening engagement with existing funders.

• A coaching-oriented management approach that empowers teams and offers guidance and clarity.

• A commitment to fostering a work environment that is respectful, supportive, fair, and welcoming to all.

• Strong support for The Link’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in Diabetes, young adult populations, and public health.

• A commitment to The Link’s core values: caring & balance, accountability & trust, it’s OK to make mistakes, curiosity & listening, having fun while doing good, and investing in inclusion. 

• Excellent communication skills, including verbal, written, and public speaking.

• Creativity and a strong sense of integrity are essential.

• The ability to create and implement systems and processes.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Additional Information:

• Travel: Occasional travel required for conferences and other development-related meetings and events.

• Work Schedule: Occasional need to work evenings and weekends to support development events.

• Commitment to Diversity: We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

• Additional responsibilities may be assigned to help deliver new projects and programs, assist with client and constituent deliverables, and support fellow team members.

Compensation & Benefits

The Diabetes Link is a fully remote organization. The Director of Development position is an exempt full-time position with benefits.

The Diabetes Link offers a comprehensive compensation package including a competitive base salary and a wide array of benefits. Benefits for full-time exempt employees include:

• Unlimited paid time off

• In alignment with our core value of Care and Balance, every other Friday is an organization-wide day off

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• 401(k) plan after 60 days of employment, with contributions fully vested at all times.

• Additional benefits: Disability Insurance, Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account, Employee Assistance Program

The pay scale for this position is $90,000-$105,000, and is based on experience.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The anticipated start date is January 12, 2026.

To Apply

Candidates should submit:

• a resume,
• a thoughtful and personalized cover letter explaining your interest in the role, experience, and fir with our mission.
• answers to the application questions

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants must reside in and be eligible to work in the United States.

Please note: Application packets with missing information and/or missing application materials will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. 

The Diabetes Link is a national 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young adults with diabetes by providing access to the peer support, connections and expert resources they need to thrive. The Diabetes Link provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.