Development Director

JLM HR Consulting•Washington, DC

18d•Onsite

About The Position

Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA), in partnership with The Ellington Fund, seeks an accomplished and entrepreneurial Development Director to lead its fundraising strategy and execution at a critical stage of institutional growth. This is a high-visibility leadership role with direct accountability for philanthropic revenue generation, donor engagement, and long-term development infrastructure. The Development Director will work closely with the Principal/Head of Schools and an engaged Board of Directors to expand the organization’s philanthropic base and advance its mission. Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA) is a nationally recognized public high school that integrates rigorous academics with intensive arts training. The Ellington Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, serves as the primary fundraising partner supporting DESA’s programs, student opportunities, and institutional priorities. Together, these entities operate in close alignment to ensure sustainable growth and continued excellence.

Requirements

7–10+ years of progressive fundraising and development experience.
Proven track record of securing major gifts and institutional funding.
Experience working closely with executive leadership and Boards.
Demonstrated ability to build and manage donor pipelines.
Takes full ownership of fundraising outcomes, with a clear track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets.
Builds trust quickly with donors, Board members, and stakeholders; able to influence without authority and navigate complex relationships.
Balances long-term vision with near-term execution; able to pivot strategies based on data, feedback, and opportunity.
Demonstrates strong follow-through, organization, and pipeline management; consistently converts strategy into measurable outcomes.
Communicates with confidence and clarity; represents the organization effectively with high-level donors and partners.
Displays a genuine commitment to arts education, youth development, and equity in access to opportunity.
Comfortable operating in a growth environment; able to build systems, processes, and structure where needed.

Responsibilities

Design and implement a comprehensive, integrated fundraising strategy.
Generate new philanthropic revenue.
Expand and diversify the donor base.
Strengthen major gifts and institutional funding.
Build scalable development systems and processes.
Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with institutional priorities.
Establish annual goals, KPIs, and revenue targets.
Identify and pursue diversified funding streams.
Build and manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects.
Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
Partner with senior leadership and Board members on key donor relationships.
Oversee grant strategy and pipeline development.
Secure foundation, corporate, and government funding.
Serve as a trusted advisor to the Principal/Head of Schools.
Support Board engagement in fundraising efforts.
Provide regular performance reporting and strategic insight.
Strengthen development operations, systems, and data utilization.
Build a culture of accountability and performance within the function.
Supervise staff and external partners.