Summary

The Director of Development is a full-time, Lakewood-based senior leadership role responsible for leading Firefly Autism’s comprehensive fundraising strategy, supporting an approximately $8 million annual operating budget. Reporting to the CEO, this position sets direction and drives diversified revenue growth aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term goals.

Description

Full job description

Who We Are

Firefly Autism is a mission-driven organization who partners with individuals, families, and communities to support autistic people through compassionate, evidence-based services rooted in respect and belonging. For a Director of Development, Firefly offers the opportunity to cultivate meaningful partnerships that directly strengthen lives and communities.

Role Description

The Director of Development is a full-time, Lakewood-based senior leadership role responsible for leading Firefly Autism’s comprehensive fundraising strategy, supporting an approximately $8 million annual operating budget. Reporting to the CEO, this position sets direction and drives diversified revenue growth aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term goals. The Director oversees all development functions, including individual giving, grants, corporate partnerships, events, endowment growth, and planned giving.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred) and demonstrated success leading non-profit fundraising initiatives with measurable growth.
  • Previous management experience is essential.
  • Develop and execute mission-aligned strategies that drive diversified, sustainable revenue.
  • Build, cultivate, and steward meaningful relationships with donors, partners, foundations, and community stakeholders.
  • Use data, metrics, and critical thinking to guide strategy, adapt approaches, and achieve goals.
  • Communicate clearly and persuasively, translating organizational impact into compelling narratives for donors, leadership, and the Board.
  • Lead collaboratively across teams while working independently with accountability, providing guidance and feedback with professionalism and respect.

Essential Competencies & Duties

  • Lead Firefly Autism’s development department, setting strategy and directing all fundraising activities.
  • Partner with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Development Committee to advance a comprehensive, sustainable strategy and strengthen governance-level engagement.
  • Effectively manage the development team, including the Data & Impact Manager and the Events, PR & Marketing Coordinator, ensuring alignment, accountability, and impact.
  • Cultivate, solicit, and steward key donor and community relationships, representing Firefly Autism externally and ensuring strong donor experience and long-term philanthropic investment in partnership with the CEO and Board of Directors.
  • Use data and impact reporting to evaluate performance, guide decision-making, and communicate progress to leadership and the Board.
  • Lead and oversee donor-facing communications and marketing efforts.
  • Provide people-centered leadership and contribute positively to Firefly culture by developing, mentoring, and holding accountable staff and partners, while collaborating effectively with clinical, administrative, and executive leaders across the organization.
  • Uphold the highest standards of ethical, inclusive, and donor-centered fundraising practice, exercising sound judgment and professionalism in all philanthropic relationships and communications.
  • Translate strategic vision into disciplined execution by prioritizing initiatives, managing complexity, and ensuring consistent follow-through on goals, timelines, and outcomes.
  • Lived or professional experience aligned with neurodiversity-affirming values is preferred.
  • Success in this role is measured by achieving sustainable, diversified fundraising growth aligned with organizational priorities; strengthening donor and board engagement; effectively leading and retaining a high-performing development team; and demonstrating clear, data-informed progress toward annual and long-term revenue and impact goals.

Professional Development and Training

  • Actively engage in ongoing learning related to Firefly Autism’s mission, services, and the evolving landscape of autism and neurodiversity-affirming practice.
  • Identify and engage with professional development as needed for yourself and your team.

Physical Requirements

  • Perform the essential functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodation, including prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and moving throughout office and community-based settings.
  • Operate standard office equipment and digital tools necessary to perform core job responsibilities.
  • Lift and carry up to 30 pounds occasionally and up to 10 pounds frequently, with or without accommodation.

Firefly Autism is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and Neurodiversity Certified Workplace. Firefly Autism is committed to a diverse and inclusive culture, and does not discriminate based on disability, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, neurodivergences, veteran status, or any other differences.

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