Deputy Director of Development

Richmond Animal League

Job Description

Richmond Animal League (RAL), a leading nonprofit dedicated to saving the lives of pets in Central Virginia, is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Deputy Director of Development to help fuel its lifesaving work. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned fundraising professional who is passionate about animal welfare, community engagement, and building meaningful relationships with donors and supporters.

As a senior member of the Development team, the Deputy Director of Development will report to both the Executive Director and the Director of Philanthropy and will serve as a key leader in shaping and executing RAL’s fundraising strategy. This position is responsible for overseeing day-to-day development operations, managing signature events, supervising development staff, and cultivating relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors, and community partners.

The ideal candidate brings vision, creativity, and excellent organizational skills, along with a collaborative spirit and a commitment to achieving measurable results.

Core Responsibilities
Fundraising & Donor Engagement:
*Cultivate and steward relationships with donors at all levels, with a focus on major donors, monthly donors, and corporate sponsors.
*Implement donor recognition and retention strategies to deepen engagement and boost long-term support.
*Collaborate on appeals, impact reports, and donor-focused communications.

Events & Community Engagement:
*Serve as Senior Events Lead, guiding strategy, logistics, and execution for fundraising and donor stewardship events.
*Secure high-level sponsorships to support event success.
*Represent RAL at outreach events, acting as a visible and enthusiastic ambassador.

Grants & Campaigns:
*Research, write, and submit compelling grant proposals and reports for foundation and corporate funding.
*Support annual fundraising campaigns and major gift initiatives, working closely with the Director of Philanthropy.

Development Operations:
*Oversee the development calendar, daily operations, and donor database (Bloomerang).
*Ensure accurate and timely gift tracking, acknowledgment, and reporting.
*Help manage campaign timelines and fundraising performance metrics.

Team Leadership:
*Supervise the Events Manager, Communications & Marketing Specialist, and a future Philanthropy Officer/Donor Relations Associate.
*Foster a collaborative, accountable, and mission-aligned culture among staff and volunteers.
*Work closely with the communications team to align messaging and elevate RAL’s visibility.

Qualifications
*Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, or a related field.
*3–5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, or nonprofit leadership.
*Proven success in donor cultivation, grant writing, event planning, and sponsorship development.
*Excellent communication and project management skills.
*Familiarity with donor database systems and fundraising analytics.
*Passion for animal welfare and a deep commitment to RAL’s mission.

Compensation & Benefits
*Salary starting at $70,000
*Health, dental, and vision insurance
*Life insurance
*Generous paid time off

To Apply:
Please send your resume and a brief introductory email to anne@ral.org. No phone calls, please.

This is a full time job