Director of Development

Department: Development

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Executive Director

Location: Detroit, MI (on-site with some flexibility)

Schedule Expectations: Role may require occasional evening or weekend availability.

Salary Range: $120,000-$145,000

Pewabic Pottery is a 123-year-old arts anchor institution on Detroit’s evolving east side with a storied history, a robust identity, and an extraordinary future ahead. As Pewabic welcomes a new Executive Director and embarks on a pivotal new chapter, the organization seeks an entrepreneurial and collaborative Director of Development to help shape that future. The role offers a rare opportunity to grow and deepen an individual and institutional giving program that honors Pewabic’s remarkable legacy while expanding its reach and impact locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The Director of Development will join a deeply beloved institution at a moment of renewal, serving as a close partner to both the new Executive Director and a strong, dedicated leadership team in carrying one of Detroit’s most treasured cultural anchors into its next era of growth, visibility, and community impact.

Position Summary

The Director of Development is a senior leader and crucial partner to Pewabic's new Executive Director, responsible for designing, leading, and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that advances the organization's mission, financial sustainability, and long-term growth. This role calls for an entrepreneurial, self-directed fundraiser — someone ambitious about building and stewarding a growing portfolio of donors and institutional partners. The Director of Development will be instrumental in shaping Pewabic's next strategic chapter through the expansion of individual and institutional giving, broadening Pewabic's reach and impact for years to come. The Director of Development oversees all aspects of contributed revenue — major gifts, annual giving, institutional funding, events, and donor stewardship — and serves as a key member of the leadership team, working closely with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and staff to build a strong culture of philanthropy across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with organizational priorities.

• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director, staff, and Board to set annual revenue goals and long-term development plans.

• Provide regular reporting and analysis on fundraising performance, pipeline, and trends.

• Collaborate with communications and marketing to develop compelling print and digital materials that tell Pewabic’s story and make a powerful case for support to prospective donors and funders.
  

Major Gifts & Donor Engagement

Build and manage a robust portfolio of major donors and prospects; cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at all levels; partner with the Executive Director and Board to expand Pewabic’s donor base.

Institutional Giving

Oversee foundation, corporate, and government grant strategy; build and maintain strong relationships with institutional funders; ensure timely submission of proposals, reports, and compliance requirements.

Annual Giving & Campaigns

Design and execute annual fund strategies including appeals, digital campaigns, and donor segmentation; lead special campaigns for capital, endowment, or other initiatives as applicable.

Events & Community Engagement

Oversee development-related events, including Pewabic’s Garden Party, ensuring they align with fundraising goals and deepen donor engagement.

Board Engagement

Partner with the Board of Trustees and Development Committee to strengthen trustee involvement in fundraising, providing tools, training, and guidance.

Operations, Systems & Team Leadership

Oversee donor database, gift processing, reporting, and development budget management; engage, manage, and develop staff and consultants to foster a high-performing, collaborative team.

Required Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in major gifts and institutional funding

• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals
  Experience working with Boards and senior leadership

• Strong relationship-building and communication skills

• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute and deliver results

• Familiarity with CRM systems and development operations

• Passion for arts, culture, and community impact
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in arts, culture, or mission-driven nonprofit organizations

• Experience with capital or endowment campaigns

• Knowledge of the metro Detroit philanthropic landscape
  

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Extended computer use

• Ability to walk campus properties and access multiple buildings

• Occasional evening or weekend availability

Benefits

New Hires that meet the benefit eligibility requirements of 30 hours per week or more will enjoy the following benefits after 90 days:

• Be a part of a creative, fun, enthusiastic team
• Benefits including health, dental and vision
• 401k 
• Short term and long term disability and life insurance
• Generous employee discount
• PTO and holiday days

How to Apply

Please submit a resume, brief cover letter describing your interest in Pewabic and this role, and up to two writing samples from a current or previous role. Writing samples may include a donor proposal, stewardship or solicitation letter, grant proposal, development report, or other development-related communication. Accompany writing samples with a brief paragraph describing your role in its creation, and redact any confidential donor or organizational information prior to submission. Send materials to hr@pewabic.org.