Development Director Jobs in Cleveland, OH
Development Director jobs in Cleveland are concentrated in University Circle, Downtown, and the Midtown Corridor, driven by demand from nonprofits, healthcare systems, higher education, and arts and cultural institutions. Employers hiring right now include Alair Homes, Eide Bailly, and Near West Theatre. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Development & Fundraising:
- Serve as Legal Aid’s chief fundraising strategist, leading the organization’s comprehensive development efforts to ensure financial sustainability.
- Design and implement an innovative, diversified fundraising strategy that expands support from major donors, institutional funders, law firms, corporations, and foundations.
- Lead high-value donor stewardship, developing and maintaining relationships with top individual and institutional funders.
- Partner with the Executive Director and Board to engage key stakeholders in fundraising efforts.
- Plan, develop, and implement solicitation strategies for all Major and Planned Gifts for Legal Aid.
- Oversee the development and execution of the annual development plan including foundations, law firms, corporations, individuals, and partners, and ensure fundraising targets are met.
- Evaluate performance and effectiveness of fundraising plans.
- Leverage insights from donor database and other research for donor cultivation.
- Oversee the Development & Communications Team’s compliance with regulations and organizational policies. Ensure compliance with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Code of Ethics and fundraising best practices.
- Develop, implement, and execute Legal Aid’s external communications strategy, ensuring consistent messaging and brand alignment across all platforms and with the organization’s goals and objectives.
- Oversee the development of a comprehensive communication vision for the organization through consultation with internal and external stakeholders that improves communication and engagement within Legal Aid and our various stakeholders.
- Identify communication opportunities in order to design and execute appropriate strategies to address them.
- Serve as the organization’s key spokesperson, maintaining and strengthening relationships with media and key external stakeholders.
- Work in partnership with the Deputy Director for Advocacy and Managing Attorneys to identify opportunities for partnership with the media in Legal Aid’s work with clients.
- Lead crisis communications and public relations efforts, ensuring Legal Aid’s mission is well represented.
- Oversee the creation and distribution of high-quality content for newsletters, annual reports, websites, and social media channels.
- Analyze the effectiveness of communication strategies and campaigns. Provide regular insights to senior leadership on communication performance and impact that increases donor engagement, public awareness, and client advocacy efforts.
- Manage the planning and execution of Legal Aid’s public events, including the Annual Meeting and donor engagement initiatives.
- Government Relations & Institutional Advocacy:
- Work closely with the Executive Director to advance Legal Aid’s funding priorities at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Advocate for government funding opportunities and manage relationships with elected officials and public agencies.
- Lead development of proposals to new government sources and assist with the preparation and submission of renewal funding proposals and reports to government entities and non-philanthropic funders.
- Identify opportunities for and pursue partnerships with government, legal, and corporate institutions to strengthen Legal Aid’s funding and influence.
- Serve as a trusted adviser to the Executive Director and be an active member of Legal Aid’s Executive Team by providing strategic guidance, assisting with enterprise-level strategic planning, driving continuous improvement in operations, mitigating internal and external risks, and aligning departmental efforts with Legal Aid’s mission, vision, values, and long-term objectives.
- Provide strategic leadership and oversee the Development and Communications operations and staff. Lead and mentor a high-performing team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability.
- Provide strategic direction and professional development opportunities for team members.
- Ensure effective cross-departmental collaboration with legal and administrative teams to support Legal Aid’s mission.
- Set clear performance metrics and oversee reporting on fundraising, communications, and engagement efforts.
- Manage assigned budgets and resources effectively and efficiently; actively participate in development of organizational budget; stay apprised of and understand organization’s financial position.
- Directly manage the Development and Communications Team.
The Successful Candidate will possess:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (JD, MBA, or related field) strongly preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in development, public relations, strategic communications, and nonprofit fundraising.
- Proven success in securing major gifts, institutional funding, and government partnerships. Strong leadership experience managing teams (5+ years), including coaching and professional development.
- Experience with fundraising database software (Raiser’s Edge preferred) and CRM systems.
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage media, donors, and policymakers.
- Knowledge of legal aid, nonprofits, and access to justice initiatives is a plus.
- Strong financial acumen and experience in budget management for fundraising and communications.
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize, delegate, and execute in a fast-paced environment.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and Legal Aid’s mission of serving marginalized communities.
Compensation & Benefits: The salary range for the Director of Development and Communications is $138,978 - $210,058 DOE. Legal Aid offers an exceptional benefits package including healthcare, life and disability insurance, and a retirement savings plan with up to 13% employer contribution. Visit www.lasclev.org/careers for more information.
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Find Development Director JobsDevelopment Director Job Market in Cleveland
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Accounting & Auditing
Development Director Jobs in Cleveland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a development director job in Cleveland?
Cleveland's strongest hiring comes from its nonprofit sector, healthcare systems, and universities, so candidates with fundraising experience in any of those environments have a clear edge. University Circle and the Midtown Corridor concentrate the most openings. Major gifts experience, a demonstrated donor portfolio, and familiarity with Cleveland's philanthropic community, including local foundations and giving networks, set candidates apart from those with purely transactional fundraising backgrounds.
Which companies hire development directors in Cleveland?
Employers hiring development directors in Cleveland right now include Alair Homes, Eide Bailly, and Near West Theatre, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Cleveland's hiring base skews toward nonprofits, health systems, and cultural institutions rather than corporate employers, so most openings come from mission-driven organizations rather than private-sector firms.
Are there remote development director jobs in Cleveland?
Yes, though remote availability is limited, since development directors typically build donor relationships and attend events in person. About 60% of development director openings tied to Cleveland are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with hybrid schedules more common than fully remote. Grant writing and planned giving roles tend to offer the most location flexibility within Cleveland-based organizations.
How can I get a development director job in Cleveland with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Cleveland is moving up from a development associate or development coordinator role inside a local nonprofit or healthcare foundation. Cleveland has a dense network of community foundations and social service organizations that regularly hire entry-level development staff and promote from within. Volunteering with local giving days, earning a CFRE credential, and building relationships with the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Cleveland chapter all accelerate that progression.
Which industries hire the most development directors in Cleveland?
Cleveland development director roles concentrate in Education and Accounting & Auditing, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Cleveland's nationally recognized medical corridor, strong university presence, and deep arts and culture infrastructure make those sectors the dominant drivers of fundraising leadership demand in the city.
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