VP of Development

Impact: Strategic

Lead and oversee all development initiatives, including fundraising strategies, product lifecycles, and software engineering projects, by setting strategic vision, managing teams, and ensuring alignment with business objectives to drive growth and deliver high-quality outcomes.

What the day looks like

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
Team
Client facing
Always
Impact visibility
Very High
Travel
Moderate
Schedule flexibility
Moderate
Remote work
Hybrid
Typical work hours
50-60
Stress level
High

At a glance

Median salary
$220,000
Entry-level
$150,000
Senior
$300,000
Growth by 2033
Above Average
Demand
Growing
Freelance potential
Low
Salary growth potential
High
Typical student debt
$50,000 - $100,000

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

  • Project Management
  • Budget Management
  • Product Lifecycle Management
  • Software Development Methodologies
  • Fundraising Strategy

Soft skills

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Strategic Thinking

Technical complexity: High

How to get there

Minimum education
Master's Degree
Licensing
No
Years to mid-career
10
Years to senior
15
Career switching
Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

    Where you can go from here

      Typical progression

      1. Director of Development
      2. Senior Director
      3. VP of Development
      4. SVP/CTO/CPO

      Future outlook

      Automation probability
      Low
      AI disruption risk
      Moderate
      Demand trend
      Growing

      How people feel about it

      Overall satisfaction
      4/10
      Meaning
      4/10
      Work-life balance
      3/10
      Prestige
      8.5/10
      Social perception
      Very High

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