Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships

• Full-Time, Exempt
• In Person – Rochester, NY
• $85,000 to $95,000 annually
• Salaried, not commission-based

About Daystar Kids

Daystar Kids is New York’s only pediatric complex medical care and learning center, serving children with complex medical and developmental needs while supporting their families with compassion, clinical excellence, and inclusive early childhood care. Daystar Kids is entering a defining season of growth, visibility, and opportunity.

The Opportunity

The Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships will serve as a key partner to the Chief Executive Officer and will help build the fundraising infrastructure, donor relationships, grant pipeline, and strategic partnerships needed to support Daystar Kids today and into the future.

This is a highly collaborative leadership role. The Director will not work in a silo. They will work closely with the CEO, Director of Operations, finance team, program and clinical leaders, communications staff, Board members, donors, families, volunteers, and community partners to strengthen Daystar’s development function and advance the organization’s growth.

The ideal candidate will be both strategic and hands-on. They will bring strong relationship-building skills, excellent writing ability, development operations discipline, donor stewardship experience, and the ability to translate Daystar’s powerful mission into meaningful philanthropic investment.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute an annual development plan spanning annual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate and foundation support, planned giving, special events, and capital or growth-related funding opportunities.

• Serve as a strategic fundraising partner to the CEO and support Board engagement in donor cultivation and stewardship.

• Build and manage a portfolio of individual, foundation, corporate, and community prospects with thoughtful, personalized stewardship.

• Build and manage a grant calendar, and write compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, reports, and supporting materials.

• Lead annual giving strategies, including appeals, donor campaigns, e-newsletters, and giving days.

• Strengthen development operations, donor records, dashboards, and monthly reporting in partnership with finance.

• Partner with the Director of Operations on fundraising events, donor cultivation gatherings, and signature Daystar events.

• Cultivate strategic partnerships with foundations, corporations, civic organizations, healthcare partners, and community leaders.

What You’ll Bring

• Five to seven years of progressive experience in fundraising, advancement, donor relations, grants, nonprofit revenue development, or a related field.

• Demonstrated success securing philanthropic support through gifts, grants, sponsorships, foundation support, corporate support, or major donor relationships.

• Strong writing skills with the ability to create compelling proposals, appeals, reports, donor communications, and case statements.

• Experience with donor databases, prospect tracking, gift documentation, reporting, and development operations.

• Ability to work with discretion and confidentiality, and commitment to Daystar’s mission and to serving children with complex medical and developmental needs and their families.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education, professional experience, and demonstrated fundraising success.

• Preferred: experience in healthcare, disability services, early childhood, education, human services, pediatrics, or complex care; major gifts or campaign experience; CFRE or fundraising training.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter to Sign in to view email, attention Dr. Seanelle Hawkins, CEO, Daystar Kids, with “Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Daystar Kids is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that reflects our values of dignity, inclusion, compassion, excellence, and service to children and families.