Development Director

Development Director

Position Type: Full-time, Exempt (Eligible for Benefits)
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: On-site, New Orleans, LA - Local travel only
Compensation: $80,000 - $90,000/year

Why Join Us?

Bastion Community of Resilience is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that builds communities of connection and person-centered care to empower veterans and their families to achieve resilience and whole health. As America’s first intentional community for injured veterans and their families, Bastion fosters belonging, identity, and purpose through its unique "Community as the Intervention" model. This role offers the opportunity to lead Bastion’s development efforts, build lasting relationships with donors, and ensure the financial sustainability of a nationally recognized organization. Join a passionate team committed to improving the lives of veterans and their families while promoting wellness, independence, and resilience.

Summary/Objective:

The Development Director is a senior leadership role responsible for driving Bastion’s comprehensive fundraising strategy and overseeing donor relations, marketing, and communications. This role is critical to cultivating relationships with donors, securing sustainable revenue streams, and fostering a culture of philanthropy across the organization. This position requires flexibility to support strategic growth and leadership within Bastion’s development efforts, and it includes opportunities for further organizational impact as Bastion grows into new markets. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and relationship builder with a proven track record in fundraising, major gifts acquisition, and donor engagement. A connection to our strong interest in veteran issues is preferred.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute an organization-wide fundraising plan aligned with Bastion’s mission and strategic growth objectives.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director on all philanthropy and development initiatives.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy within Bastion, engaging staff, board members, ambassadors, and volunteers.
• Collaborate with leadership to strengthen organizational culture, values, and long-term sustainability.

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Formulate and implement annual and long-term development plans, focusing on major gifts, annual giving, grants, and corporate sponsorships.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Collaborate with program staff to articulate compelling cases for support and communicate impact effectively to donors.
• Develop innovative donor engagement and retention strategies.
• Oversee timely, personalized donor acknowledgments and coordinate thank-you efforts with Bastion ambassadors/residents.

Strategic Development

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to integrate new revenue sources, including multi-year VA and federal grants.
• Formulate and implement plans to expand donor pools into new markets, including Texas and California.

Team Development & Management

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team that includes communications staff, grant writers, and development assistants.
• Invest in team capacity-building through professional development and engagement with organizations such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).
• Collaborate with leadership to improve and implement policies, processes, and best practices related to development.

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee marketing strategies to strengthen Bastion’s brand and amplify fundraising efforts.
• Ensure the creation of high-quality donor materials, including annual reports, impact stories, and campaign communications.

Board Engagement

• Provide development updates to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Support development-related Board committees (e.g., Gala Committee) and assist in recruiting board members with fundraising expertise.
• Collaborate with board members to cultivate and steward donor relationships.

Education, Experience, & Qualifications:

• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in development, including major gifts and campaign management.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field preferred. CFRE certification preferred.
• Proven success securing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a team to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with experience engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in donor management systems (e.g., Flipcause, Salesforce, or Raiser’s Edge).
• Visionary, results-driven leader with a collaborative mindset.
• Passion for veterans’ issues and community-building.
• Strong adaptability and problem-solving abilities in fast-paced environments.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential, preferred.
• Experience with federal grants preferred. (e.g., SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant).
• Knowledge of philanthropic trends and donor behavior preferred.
• Relationships with New Orleans-area donors or veteran-focused organizations preferred.

Work Environment & Demands:

• This position requires flexibility to work outside standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, for donor events, fundraising campaigns, and other organizational needs.
• The ability to manage and prioritize a diverse workload is essential, with a focus on staying organized and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Physical demands include occasionally lifting and carrying items up to 25 pounds, such as event materials or displays, and periods of standing, walking, or bending during events or setups.
• Regular use of office equipment, including computers, printers, and phones, is required, along with proficiency indonor management platforms.
• The role operates in a collaborative, team-oriented environment that values communication and innovation.

Work Authorization: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.