Director of Development

Job description

Think you can lead a high-performing team to raise millions for liberty? Young Americans for Liberty has an ambitious goal to raise $150 million across the liberty movement by 2030. To get there, we need a Director of Development who can bring out the best in our people and keep our fundraising efforts running at a high level. We're looking for a proven manager who knows how to set high standards, solve problems, and turn plans into results. Someone who enjoys developing talent, digging into data, and holding people accountable. If you're ready to take ownership of a demanding leadership role where your work directly supports the fight for liberty, we want to hear from you. About the role The Director of Development manages the day-to-day operations and staff of YAL's Development Department, supporting both Young Americans for Liberty and the Young Americans for Liberty Foundation. You'll oversee fundraising processes, monitor donor portfolios, and use data to identify opportunities for improvement. You'll also work directly with our CEO and COO to coordinate their donor activity, prepare for meetings, and ensure commitments are completed. This position requires a strong people manager who can make operational decisions, maintain accountability, and keep the department moving toward its goals. Overall fundraising strategy remains with the CEO and COO. This position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer. Location: Fully remote (U.S.) Travel: Occasional travel, up to 15% What you'll do Lead and manage the Development team Manage, coach, and develop staff while setting clear expectations and holding them accountable Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, provide feedback, and address performance gaps Identify staffing needs and support hiring, onboarding, and professional development Keep fundraising operations moving Oversee daily fundraising activities, including outreach, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship Lead moves management with staff, the CEO, and COO Coordinate projects, deadlines, and cross-departmental work to ensure timely execution Maximize donor portfolio performance Review donor portfolios to identify stalled opportunities, outreach gaps, and potential for increased giving Coordinate meeting preparation, solicitation planning, and follow-up for the CEO and COO Work with fundraisers to prioritize donor relationships and complete stewardship commitments Use data to improve performance Establish and maintain fundraising metrics, dashboards, and reporting Analyze donor activity, retention, pipeline health, and progress toward goals Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements Oversee donor data accuracy and recommend changes based on trends What Success Looks Like A high-performing, accountable team that consistently meets established goals Donor portfolios are actively managed, with opportunities identified and follow-up completed on time The CEO, COO, and staff are securing and are prepared for donor meetings, and consistently follow through on commitments Accurate reporting and reliable processes keep the department organized and on track to meet its fundraising goals Qualifications Direct fundraising experience is preferred, but we're also interested in experienced operational leaders who understand nonprofit fundraising and have a track record of building and managing high-performing teams. People Leadership: Proven ability to coach employees, set high standards, and hold teams accountable for results Operational Management: Experience coordinating complex projects, managing competing priorities, and improving organizational processes Data & Analytics: Ability to use CRM systems, dashboards, and reporting to evaluate results and guide decisions Executive Coordination: Confidence and judgment to work with senior leadership and ensure follow-through on commitments Communication: Excellent written and verbal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with staff, executives, and donors Mission Alignment: Strong commitment to YAL's mission and principles Travel: Ability to travel occasionally for organizational meetings and events Preferred Qualifications Experience in major gifts fundraising, managing fundraising or sales teams, or overseeing donor moves management Familiarity with HubSpot, iWave, or similar donor management systems Experience using AI and other technology to streamline workflows and improve efficiency Compensation & Benefits Position type: Full-time | FLSA status: Exempt Salary range: $130,000–$155,000 base salary, plus performance-based bonus , depending on experience and qualifications Benefits include: Health coverage (including dental and vision) Health Savings Account (HSA) for eligible plans Short- and long-term disability insurance Life insurance 401(k) with up to 4% match Generous paid time off, with unlimited PTO after the first year Professional development opportunities To Apply Please submit: Cover letter explaining your commitment to YAL’s mission of advancing liberty, how your personal philosophy aligns with our principles, and how your experience has prepared you to actively contribute to making liberty win. Resume About Young Americans For Liberty Founded after the 2008 Ron Paul Presidential Campaign, Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) is the nation’s largest pro-liberty youth movement, building a powerful network of activists to transform states into beacons of freedom. We drive real change in America by working through our "Build - Elect - Pass" model: Build: We are building the largest nationwide movement of committed youth activists on American college campuses, with pro-liberty students fighting on hundreds of campuses across the country. Elect: We mobilize our base of committed youth activists to be the grassroots muscle on campaigns of principled liberty legislators through Operation Win at the Door. Since 2018, we've built a coalition of 400 active legislators in our National Liberty Legislator Coalition, and thousands of YAL-recruited students have knocked on over 6 million doors to turn out the vote. Pass: We train this coalition of principled liberty legislators to pass transformative policy at the state level. This coalition has already passed over 1,250 pro-liberty bills spanning from Universal School Choice, to Constitutional Carry, to major tax cuts and so much more. You can view the full list of bills passed at . Mission & Vision Our mission is to identify, educate, train, and mobilize youth activists committed to the ideals of liberty and the Constitution. Our vision is to create Liberty Lighthouse States that will Transform Our States into Beacons of Liberty. YAL also works to achieve this vision by electing liberty legislators and passing liberty legislation. Our Values & Culture YAL's culture is built on 5 foundational values: Goal Setting: We orient our work towards specific goals that align with achieving our long-term vision. Trust the Truth: We pursue the truth and are honest in all we do, even when it’s difficult. There should never be a situation where lying is the right answer if we’re truthful from the beginning. Grassroots Mobilization: We win on principle by generating grassroots pressure on the politicians. Unless you are politically feared, you will not be politically respected. Education alone is not enough. Principle: We believe in liberty — which provides the freedom to choose and requires taking responsibility for your choices — and individual rights — which must be respected at all times. Power of the Individual: We recognize everyone has an innate ability to make a difference. Therefore, we are dedicated to aligning your goals and developing your strengths so you can unlock your full potential. Candidates who will fit in with YAL's culture tend to be principled, entrepreneurial, passionate, and comfortable with ambitious goals and a fast-paced work environment.