What Does the Development Lead Role Involve?
A development lead is responsible for driving the organization’s fundraising and resource mobilization strategy, overseeing donor engagement efforts, and managing the systems that support sustainable revenue generation. This involves cultivating and stewarding relationships with key donors and partners, leading grant and proposal development processes, supervising development staff, and ensuring alignment between fundraising priorities and organizational strategy. The role typically sits within the development or advancement function, often in close collaboration with leadership, communications, and program teams. In both nonprofits and social enterprises, development leads play a central role in securing the financial resources necessary to achieve impact.
At What Level does this Role Operate?
Senior Level: This role typically reports to the director of development, chief development officer, or executive leadership. It involves managing fundraising strategies, leading donor engagement initiatives, and overseeing development team functions.
Relative Employability: Development lead roles are consistently in demand across nonprofits, social enterprises, philanthropic institutions, and educational organizations. As organizations seek diversified and sustainable funding sources, professionals with strong relationship management, strategy, and proposal development skills are highly sought after.
Relative Pay Scale: Within nonprofits and social enterprises, development lead roles sit in the upper mid to senior pay bands, reflecting their strategic responsibilities, leadership functions, and direct influence on revenue generation.
What are the Key Responsibilities and Activities?
- Lead the development and execution of fundraising strategies and plans to achieve revenue targets
- Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, and institutional funders
- Oversee the preparation and submission of grant proposals, donor reports, and fundraising materials
- Supervise development officers, assistants, or associates, providing guidance and performance oversight
- Coordinate with program, finance, and communications teams to align fundraising priorities with organizational goals
- Monitor fundraising pipelines, track progress toward targets, and prepare reports for leadership and boards
- Identify new funding opportunities and design strategies to expand the organization’s donor base
- Represent the organization in donor meetings, partnerships, and external forums
What Core Competencies and Qualifications are Needed?
Required Qualifications and Experience
The following reflect common qualifications and experience expected for this role, while recognizing that pathways may vary by context, organization, and region.
- Relevant academic background in communications, business, nonprofit management, social sciences, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
- Several years of experience in fundraising, development, or partnership management, with demonstrated success in securing funding
- Strong relationship-building skills with donors and partners
- Proven ability to develop and implement fundraising strategies and lead teams
- Excellent written communication, proposal development, and presentation abilities
Key Competencies
- Strategic fundraising and resource mobilization leadership
- Relationship cultivation and stewardship
- Proposal development and grant management
- Team leadership and collaboration
- Analytical and reporting skills for pipeline and revenue tracking
- Communication and representation abilities
How are AI and Automation Shaping this Role?
An AI-native development lead will look to AI and automation to strengthen donor intelligence, optimize fundraising strategies, and increase operational efficiency. They can use AI tools to analyze donor behavior, identify funding trends, draft tailored proposals, and generate insights from fundraising pipelines. Automation can support CRM updates, reporting, and donor communications, allowing the lead to focus on high-value relationship building and strategic planning. By integrating AI thoughtfully, development leads can scale their fundraising efforts and sharpen their strategic approach.
What Career Pathways and Transferable Skills are Associated with this Role?
Development lead roles can lead to positions such as director of development, chief development officer, or executive leadership positions focused on resource strategy and partnerships. The skills developed in strategic fundraising, team leadership, and donor relationship management are highly transferable across nonprofits, social enterprises, educational institutions, foundations, and advocacy organizations. Professionals in this role are well positioned to influence organizational strategy through resource mobilization at senior levels.
