Director, Development

Job summary:

The Ad Council's Development team raises the financial capital that powers our mission. The department generates more than $14M in annual general operating support, manages the organization's 160-member Board of Directors, and collaborates cross-functionally to support the $10M Public Service Award Dinner, campaign fundraising, and corporate partnerships. Building on record revenue performance and a growing roster of world-class corporate partners, we are scaling our ambitions — and we are looking for a dynamic Director, Development to join the team.

The Director, Development plays an integral role in the Ad Council's fundraising program by managing a portfolio of key corporate donors across Financial Services, Retail, CPG, Food & Beverage, Automotive, and Top 50 Brands — cultivating existing and identifying new relationships, developing and stewarding campaign partnerships, and tracking and reporting fundraising efforts.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, this is a pivotal individual contributor role. You will serve as a trusted advisor and strategic connector between corporate partners and Ad Council campaigns, driving both the deepening of existing partnerships and the cultivation of new ones. You'll manage a portfolio of high-value corporate relationships, and your contributions will translate directly into the resources that fuel our mission.

Compensation:

The compensation for this position is within the range of $100,000 – $110,000 annually (based on experience level). The compensation package also includes an annual incentive, comprehensive benefit offerings, and generous paid time off.

What you’ll do:

Partnership Stewardship & Business Development

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 35 corporate donors across Financial Services, Retail, CPG, Food & Beverage, Automotive, and Top 50 Brands, responsible for raising approximately $3M+ in annual general operating support.
• Conduct face-to-face donor meetings with Board members and high-level corporate executives to cultivate relationships and secure support.
• Research, identify, and solicit new corporate donors; create a pipeline of new support to increase revenue year over year.
• Develop compelling, customized partnership proposals and presentations that articulate the Ad Council's unique value proposition with clarity and authority.
• Lead renewal strategy for existing accounts, identifying opportunities to expand scope, deepen engagement, and increase contribution levels.
• Initiate and work closely with campaign teams to facilitate strategic corporate partnerships that provide impact and visibility for our causes, while delivering on corporate partner expectations.
• Contribute to team strategy, knowledge-sharing, and a culture of continuous improvement within the Development department.

Revenue Tracking & Reporting

• Maintain a robust pipeline of prospects and partners; track activity, forecast revenue, and report progress against goals to SVP and the team.
• Assist with tracking and reporting fundraising activity, pledge and gift processing, and data management in Salesforce.
• Submit corporate proposals and progress reports as needed, and work cross-functionally with Communications, Finance, and Campaigns teams to produce stewardship reports for donors.
• Meet and exceed annual revenue targets through a disciplined and creative mix of new business acquisition and existing account growth.

Board Engagement & External Representation

• Assist in identifying new board prospects and lead cultivation and engagement of existing board members within your portfolio.
• Represent the Ad Council as a thought leader at industry conferences and events; research and prepare prep documents for prospects and industry events.
• Represent the department on internal committees and serve as an internal advocate for partner priorities across the organization.
• Travel as needed to meet partners, attend conferences, and represent the Ad Council externally.

What you bring:

• 6+ years of experience working in a high-performance professional environment in fundraising, sales, sponsorship or partnership development, or a role with substantial client relationship management and/or business development — ideally in nonprofit, marketing, media or agency environments.
• Demonstrated track record of securing and growing multi-year, six-eight figure corporate partnerships or sales accounts.
• Familiarity with the advertising/media/marketing industry and/or one or more target sectors: Financial Services, Retail, CPG, Food & Beverage, or Automotive.
• Advanced ability to build and engage strategic partnerships with a broad network of stakeholders; fosters collaborative relationships across the organization, with vendors, and with external partners.
• Outstanding communication and persuasion skills — able to represent the Ad Council, influence senior stakeholders, and drive engagement with expertise and authority.
• Excellent project management track record; strong organizational and follow-up skills with close attention to detail; proven ability to plan, organize, monitor, and execute all aspects of a development role while holding oneself accountable to outcomes.
• Comfort with variable travel to meet partners, attend industry conferences, and represent the Ad Council externally.
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and accountable — with the desire to make work a fun and rewarding experience.

Qualities of a standout candidate:

• Experience working with top brands – ideally within marketing, communications, or CSR teams – with a feel for how large, matrixed organizations operate and how to build relationships across them.
• Background in cause marketing, corporate social responsibility, or mission-driven communications.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM, Slack, AI, Canva, and Microsoft Office tools a plus.
• Passion for social impact and an understanding of the role communications play in driving behavior

What you’ll get:

All full-time Ad Council employees are eligible for:

• Full remote work arrangements; Robust and flexible time off; Parental/Caregiver leave; “Health” days.
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision plans; Health and Flexible Savings benefit; Reimbursement toward health and wellness expenses; Additional insurances for your spouse/children/pets.
• Participation in the Ad Council 403(b) Retirement Plan with generous annual company contributions.
• Professional and skill-based development opportunities; Tuition Reimbursement.