Development Manager Jobs in District of Columbia
Development Manager jobs in District of Columbia are concentrated in Washington DC, where federal agencies, large nonprofits, and international organizations create sustained demand for professionals who oversee fundraising, program growth, and institutional partnerships. Employers like the American Red Cross, National Geographic Society, and AARP maintain active development functions in the District and hire at every level from associate to senior director. The most sought-after specialties are major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and federal grant management. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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WilmerHale is a leading, full-service international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located throughout 12 offices in the United States and Europe. Our lawyers work at the intersection of government, technology and business, and we remain committed to our guiding principles of providing quality, excellent legal and client services; developing diversity among our lawyers and staff and cultivating an environment that promotes an ambitious spirit, collaboration and collegiality by drawing on the extraordinary talents and dynamic experience of our lawyers. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our clients and the communities in which we practice.
About the Role
This position helps drive the client development initiatives of the Regulatory and Government Affairs (RGA) Department and its individual practice groups. He/she serves as a Client Development “customer-service” contact for attorneys by either providing strategic guidance and support directly, or coordinating with other Client Development Department team members to ensure services are provided efficiently and effectively.
This position acts as a go-to RGA lead for practice group business development and marketing projects and initiatives including, but not limited to, the implementation of strategic business development activities, responding to pitches/RFPs, and driving marketing initiatives like thought leadership and social media projects, increasing practice group and individual attorney visibility and marcom infrastructure projects like maintaining mailing lists and practice group descriptions.
What You Will Be Doing
Client/Business Development
- Work with practice groups to implement client development projects and initiatives to support new business development goals.
- Leverage the firm’s experience and industry knowledge to develop pitches and presentations that are responsive to companies’ specific needs.
- Use his/her experience to offer strategic advice and options to lawyers preparing to approach potential clients and in looking to expand relationships.
- Use business intelligence, client development tools and research to identify opportunities for new work for existing clients.
- Manage the RGA Department’s archiving of business development activities and experience.
- Work with the Client Development Department infrastructure to regularly update web and print marketing collateral, including practice group descriptions, matter/case lists and biographies.
- Lead on various aspects of lateral partner onboarding and practice group strategic planning.
- Responsible for developing technical understanding of clients and industries served by RGA practice groups to help proactively issue spot, leading to identification of business development opportunities.
- Develop and maintain “trusted advisor” partner relationships.
- Sees and deploys collaboration with colleagues and other departments as a critical factor in service excellence.
- Take lead responsibility in day-to-day management of a Client Development Specialist and Coordinator who will support the wide range of work that the Regulatory and Government Affairs Client Development team provides.
- Contributes to the firm's Service Excellence initiative to consistently improve its image internally and externally. Displays professionalism, quality service and a “can do” attitude to internal members/departments of the firm as well as external clients and vendors via electronic and print correspondence, over the telephone and in-person.
- Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned.
Research
- Work with practice groups to analyze research on existing and prospective clients to aid in the development of customized pitches, presentations, and proposals.
- Work with practice groups to identify industry sector and market trends against competitor activity to company identify business development opportunities.
- Stay on top of clients’ business/industry news and keep Partners informed to facilitate frequent interactions and proactive client service.
Thought Leadership/Events
- Execute practice groups’ visibility strategies with thought leadership and client-facing events.
- Use research on industry trends to make recommendations on thought leadership and in-house programing. Work with practice groups to develop event concepts and create programing that demonstrates our ability to “look around corners” and inform clients on forward-looking issues.
- Work with all members of the Client Development Department to build profiles for practice group and individual attorneys (internally and, as appropriate, externally) by publicizing victories, news items, events, and articles leveraging social media and other distribution platforms.
- Oversee the management of sponsorships and memberships for the RGA Department, including evaluating sponsorships and opportunities to participate in various organizations.
- Contributes to managing the internal Client Development team. Provides guidance to more junior team members and manages a Client Development Specialist who will, among other general marketing projects, implement webinars and seminars, client-facing events and sponsorships, including marketing the event/program, mailing list creation, internal and external promotion (including social media if relevant) and follow-up activities.
What You Will Bring to This Position
- Strong independent thinking and execution, and mature professional judgment.
- Strong multitasking and project management skills and demonstrated capabilities to manage multiple deadlines and changing project criteria.
- Demonstrable analytic skills, organizational skills, initiative and vision.
- Superior oral and written communications skills, including professional presentation abilities, with demonstrated excellence in grammar and proofreading.
- Extensive working knowledge Microsoft Suite software.
Education:
- BA/BS required.
- Advanced degree preferred.
Experience:
- A minimum of eight to ten years’ experience in legal, technology, management, or market analysis environment is preferred.
- At least three years of demonstrated people management experience is required.
Why Join Us?
- A values‑driven firm that fosters collaboration and respect
- The hiring range for this position is $162,160 - 202,700 annually, with final compensation based on experience, qualifications and internal equity.
- This position is eligible for a Hybrid Schedule.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match and profit-sharing options
- Paid time off and holidays
- For additional information about our benefits, please click here
Our Commitment
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting employment discrimination. It is our policy to take all employment actions and make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, disability, military status, status as a disabled or other protected veteran, or any other protected status under applicable law. WilmerHale will make reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and otherwise as required by applicable law.
For more information about Equal Employment Opportunity, please click here.
#L1-EC1
#L1-Hybrid
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees in the position. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills for positions. The firm reserves the right at all times, in its sole discretion, to add or subtract duties and responsibilities, as it deems necessary.
WilmerHale is a leading, full-service international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located throughout 12 offices in the United States and Europe. Our lawyers work at the intersection of government, technology and business, and we remain committed to our guiding principles of providing quality, excellent legal and client services; developing diversity among our lawyers and staff and cultivating an environment that promotes an ambitious spirit, collaboration and collegiality by drawing on the extraordinary talents and dynamic experience of our lawyers. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our clients and the communities in which we practice.
About the Role
This position helps drive the client development initiatives of the Regulatory and Government Affairs (RGA) Department and its individual practice groups. He/she serves as a Client Development “customer-service” contact for attorneys by either providing strategic guidance and support directly, or coordinating with other Client Development Department team members to ensure services are provided efficiently and effectively.
This position acts as a go-to RGA lead for practice group business development and marketing projects and initiatives including, but not limited to, the implementation of strategic business development activities, responding to pitches/RFPs, and driving marketing initiatives like thought leadership and social media projects, increasing practice group and individual attorney visibility and marcom infrastructure projects like maintaining mailing lists and practice group descriptions.
What You Will Be Doing
Client/Business Development
- Work with practice groups to implement client development projects and initiatives to support new business development goals.
- Leverage the firm’s experience and industry knowledge to develop pitches and presentations that are responsive to companies’ specific needs.
- Use his/her experience to offer strategic advice and options to lawyers preparing to approach potential clients and in looking to expand relationships.
- Use business intelligence, client development tools and research to identify opportunities for new work for existing clients.
- Manage the RGA Department’s archiving of business development activities and experience.
- Work with the Client Development Department infrastructure to regularly update web and print marketing collateral, including practice group descriptions, matter/case lists and biographies.
- Lead on various aspects of lateral partner onboarding and practice group strategic planning.
- Responsible for developing technical understanding of clients and industries served by RGA practice groups to help proactively issue spot, leading to identification of business development opportunities.
- Develop and maintain “trusted advisor” partner relationships.
- Sees and deploys collaboration with colleagues and other departments as a critical factor in service excellence.
- Take lead responsibility in day-to-day management of a Client Development Specialist and Coordinator who will support the wide range of work that the Regulatory and Government Affairs Client Development team provides.
- Contributes to the firm's Service Excellence initiative to consistently improve its image internally and externally. Displays professionalism, quality service and a “can do” attitude to internal members/departments of the firm as well as external clients and vendors via electronic and print correspondence, over the telephone and in-person.
- Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned.
Research
- Work with practice groups to analyze research on existing and prospective clients to aid in the development of customized pitches, presentations, and proposals.
- Work with practice groups to identify industry sector and market trends against competitor activity to company identify business development opportunities.
- Stay on top of clients’ business/industry news and keep Partners informed to facilitate frequent interactions and proactive client service.
Thought Leadership/Events
- Execute practice groups’ visibility strategies with thought leadership and client-facing events.
- Use research on industry trends to make recommendations on thought leadership and in-house programing. Work with practice groups to develop event concepts and create programing that demonstrates our ability to “look around corners” and inform clients on forward-looking issues.
- Work with all members of the Client Development Department to build profiles for practice group and individual attorneys (internally and, as appropriate, externally) by publicizing victories, news items, events, and articles leveraging social media and other distribution platforms.
- Oversee the management of sponsorships and memberships for the RGA Department, including evaluating sponsorships and opportunities to participate in various organizations.
- Contributes to managing the internal Client Development team. Provides guidance to more junior team members and manages a Client Development Specialist who will, among other general marketing projects, implement webinars and seminars, client-facing events and sponsorships, including marketing the event/program, mailing list creation, internal and external promotion (including social media if relevant) and follow-up activities.
What You Will Bring to This Position
- Strong independent thinking and execution, and mature professional judgment.
- Strong multitasking and project management skills and demonstrated capabilities to manage multiple deadlines and changing project criteria.
- Demonstrable analytic skills, organizational skills, initiative and vision.
- Superior oral and written communications skills, including professional presentation abilities, with demonstrated excellence in grammar and proofreading.
- Extensive working knowledge Microsoft Suite software.
Education:
- BA/BS required.
- Advanced degree preferred.
Experience:
- A minimum of eight to ten years’ experience in legal, technology, management, or market analysis environment is preferred.
- At least three years of demonstrated people management experience is required.
Why Join Us?
- A values‑driven firm that fosters collaboration and respect
- The hiring range for this position is $162,160 - 202,700 annually, with final compensation based on experience, qualifications and internal equity.
- This position is eligible for a Hybrid Schedule.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match and profit-sharing options
- Paid time off and holidays
- For additional information about our benefits, please click here
Our Commitment
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting employment discrimination. It is our policy to take all employment actions and make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, disability, military status, status as a disabled or other protected veteran, or any other protected status under applicable law. WilmerHale will make reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and otherwise as required by applicable law.
For more information about Equal Employment Opportunity, please click here.
#L1-EC1
#L1-Hybrid
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees in the position. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills for positions. The firm reserves the right at all times, in its sole discretion, to add or subtract duties and responsibilities, as it deems necessary.
See All 64 Development Manager Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Development Manager JobsDevelopment Manager Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Development Manager Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Meta3
- Epirus3E
- McGuireWoods LLP3
- Ford Agency2
- AEC Talent Acquisition2A
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software4
- Banking & Financial Services4
- Consulting & Professional Services4
- Law & Legal Services3
- Education1
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in development manager jobs across District of Columbia.
- Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or a related field
- Proven experience managing donor portfolios or grant pipelines in a nonprofit or government-facing organization
- Familiarity with Raiser's Edge, Salesforce Nonprofit, or similar constituent relationship management systems
- Experience writing and submitting federal or foundation grant proposals and reports
- Strong knowledge of DC-area philanthropic community and institutional funding landscape
- Ability to obtain and maintain relevant professional certifications such as CFRE where required by employer
Development Manager Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a development manager in District of Columbia?
Most development manager roles in the District require a bachelor's degree plus several years of fundraising or program experience, often in a nonprofit, association, or government-adjacent setting. There is no District-issued license for the role, but many hiring organizations prefer or require a Certified Fund Raising Executive credential, administered by CFRE International. Building experience through DC-area foundations, advocacy organizations, or federal grant programs strengthens a candidate's profile significantly.
How much do development managers make in District of Columbia?
Development managers in District of Columbia earn a median of about $175,720 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $134,950 for the lowest 10% to over $221,750 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire development managers in District of Columbia?
Employers hiring development managers in District of Columbia right now include Meta, Epirus, and McGuireWoods LLP, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The District's dense concentration of national nonprofits, trade associations, think tanks, and federal contractors keeps demand for development managers consistently high year-round.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most development manager jobs?
The cities with the most development manager openings in District of Columbia are Washington. Washington DC dominates the distribution because it is home to the headquarters of hundreds of national nonprofits, membership associations, and international organizations, while nearby areas in the metropolitan region benefit from overflow hiring and satellite offices of those same institutions.
Are there remote development manager jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, and more than many fields. About 70% of development manager openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting the desk-based and relationship-driven nature of the work. Roles focused on grant writing, donor communications, and prospect research tend to have the most flexibility, while major gifts positions often require in-person presence for cultivating donor relationships.
How can I get hired as a development manager in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a development coordinator or grants assistant role at a DC-area nonprofit, foundation, or advocacy organization, where you build hands-on experience with donor databases and grant reporting. Large DC institutions like the Smithsonian, World Wildlife Fund, and the American Cancer Society Society run structured internship and entry-level programs that can lead directly to full-time development roles. Earning the CFRE credential or completing a certificate in nonprofit management from a local university like American University or Georgetown adds a competitive edge even before you have extensive experience.
Where can I find and apply to development manager jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to development manager jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the District. Search the roles that match your experience and background, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 64 Development Manager Jobs in District of Columbia
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