About the Position
Summary
The Director of Development is a dynamic, strategic, relationship-driven leader, responsible for powering the Air Zoo’s mission forward. As the architect of the fundraising and membership success, this individual reports to the President & CEO and leads a passionate team of four, including our Major Gifts Officer, Donor Relations & Grants Manager, and Membership Manager, toward bold goals and meaningful impact. From cultivating annual giving to driving a transformative $40M capital campaign aimed at enhancing visitor experiences through phased campus expansions and improvements, this role turns generosity into growth.
Job Duties
Responsibilities Include:
Design, implement, and oversee comprehensive fundraising strategies that encompass major gifts, annual giving, sponsorships, grants, and special initiatives aligned with the Air Zoo’s mission and financial goals.
Provide visionary leadership and strategic oversight for the planning and implementation of the Air Zoo’s capital campaign, including setting ambitious fundraising goals, identifying high-potential donors, and leading the solicitation of major gifts.
Serve as a key public-facing representative of the Air Zoo, embodying its mission, vision, and values in all external interactions.
Serve as the Executive Director of the Air Zoo Legacy Foundation.
Provide leadership, strategic direction, and effective coordination of the Air Zoo’s development and membership functions, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and core values.
Champion a culture of philanthropy across the Air Zoo by actively engaging and empowering the Board of Directors and other key organization leaders as strategic partners in fundraising and relationship-building.
Requirements
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is a congenial and motivated fundraiser who is driven as much by the significance of closing a gift as they are passionate about the Air Zoo’s mission, demonstrating a deep commitment to advancing its long-term vision through purposeful and impactful work. They are exceptionally skilled at navigating diverse perspectives with diplomacy and respect, fostering a culture of collaboration, unity, and shared achievement across all teams and stakeholders. With remarkable clarity and composure, this individual effectively balances multiple priorities and projects, ensuring optimal use of time, talent, and resources to consistently achieve strategic goals. Ultimately, they are a results-oriented leader who sets clear objectives, develops actionable strategies, and delivers measurable outcomes, consistently translating vision into action with precision and purpose.
Qualifications:
Proven, progressive leadership experience in nonprofit fundraising or development; a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or relevant certifications are a plus.
Comprehensive understanding of fundraising principles, donor lifecycle management, donor engagement strategies, and philanthropic best practices, paired with strong financial acumen and data-driven decision-making skills.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement bold, forward-thinking fundraising strategies, inspire and engage donors, and cultivate long-term partnerships that advance organizational impact.
Proven success in planning and executing capital campaigns, with a strong track record of securing major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners.
Established expertise in grant writing and reporting, with deep knowledge of grant cycles, compliance requirements, and relationship stewardship with institutional funders.
Experienced in leading, developing, and motivating high-performing teams; skilled in setting clear goals, delegating effectively, monitoring progress, and fostering a collaborative and positive workplace culture.
Proficient in using fundraising management systems like Altru or similar platforms to generate queries and produce detailed reports.
Communicates with clarity, confidence, and empathy—effectively engaging both internal teams and external stakeholders to build trust, alignment, and shared purpose.
Transforms the mission, vision, and outcomes of the organization into compelling narratives that inspire generosity, foster connection, and drive meaningful engagement.
Adapts messaging and tone to effectively reach diverse audiences—including major donors, board members, and staff—ensuring communication is relevant, motivating, and empowering at every level.
Read the full Position Overview – https://driwaterstonehc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Position-Overview_Air-Zoo-Final.pdf
Salary Range
How to Apply
Apply: https://driwaterstonehc.com/position/dod-air-zoo/
About the Organization
Founded in 1977 by aviation enthusiasts and philanthropists Pete and Suzanne Parish, the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, MI began as a small collection of nine aircraft and opened to the public in 1979. Over the past four decades, it has grown into a nationally acclaimed Aerospace and Science Center, home to more than 100 rare and historically significant aircraft & spacecraft and over 80,000 unique artifacts and exhibits. As a Smithsonian-affiliated institution, the Air Zoo has earned recognition for its engaging, hands-on approach to aviation, space, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education. The Air Zoo uniquely operates as part air and space museum; part theme park; and part hands-on education center.
