Director of Development – Nonprofit Education Sector

Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Hybrid | Full-Time

Our client, a dynamic and growing nonprofit organization headquartered in Pittsburgh, is seeking a Director of Business Development to lead and execute resource development strategies that further its mission to provide high-quality computer science education to underserved K–8 students. This role is ideal for a development professional who is passionate about educational equity and wants to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children.

About the Organization

Our client is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for students who may not otherwise have access to STEM and coding education. By delivering computer science programming in schools and community spaces across the region, they are actively working to close the digital divide and inspire the next generation of innovators.

Position Overview

As Director of Business Development, you will serve as a key member of the leadership team and be responsible for driving fundraising initiatives, cultivating major donors and corporate sponsors, managing development staff, and helping shape the strategic vision of the organization. Your work will directly fuel the mission and sustainability of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Fundraising Leadership
• Collaborate with the executive team to design and implement comprehensive fundraising and donor engagement strategies.
• Align resource development plans with organizational goals and support broader strategic planning efforts.
• Donor & Partner Relationship Management
• Cultivate, steward, and expand relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and Board Chair in high-level donor engagement.
• Campaigns & Event Oversight
• Lead the execution of key fundraising events, including the annual gala and quarterly initiatives that support both revenue goals and brand awareness.
• Partner with the CEO to develop consistent marketing collateral and communications materials.
• Budget & Department Oversight
• Manage the fundraising department’s budget in collaboration with the VP of Operations.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to the Manager of Business Development and oversee recruitment and training of fundraising volunteers.
• Grant Management
• Drive the organization’s grant strategy, ensuring timely submissions, compliance with reporting requirements, and alignment with operational and programming goals.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with operations and program teams to integrate development efforts across all areas of the organization.
• Analytics & Reporting
• Use data and performance metrics to evaluate fundraising success and inform strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Communications, Marketing, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising and development leadership roles.
• Experience managing donor pipelines, cultivating major gifts, and working with foundations and corporate sponsors.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in grant proposal writing and fundraising reporting.
• Experience with budgeting, financial oversight, and event planning.
• Familiarity with the Pittsburgh philanthropic landscape and national funding networks is highly preferred.
• Previous experience with government grants is a plus.
• Knowledge of K–8 education systems and policies is preferred.
• Proficient in Google Suite and comfortable using CRM/project management tools (e.g., MonkeyPod, ADP, etc.) or willing to learn.