DIRECTOR Interview Questions and Answers (How to PASS an EXECUTIVE Interview!)
I HAVE NEVER HIRED A NEW DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
First off, full disclosure. I ran a nonprofit for nearly a decade and never had to hire a Development Director. I just had to figure out that I already had the makings of a great one on my staff. So I promoted her and we were a great team.
And I nearly drove her to an early grave. But that’s another story.
So I was lucky. And in my years working with various nonprofits, I’ve learned that in the end, there are only three components to hiring a great Development Director:
1) Get a good candidate pool.
Here are ten questions you should absolutely ask prospective Development Directors during the interview process. Forget any one of these at your own risk.
This is not a question but rather an instinctual assessment. I find it to be one of the most important pieces of the interview puzzle.
If you can take a final candidate or two out to lunch or coffee, do it. It’s an essential part of the interview process. You could do a “mock ask” but that’s not what I would do. Instead, I would just have a get-to-know-you-outside-the-office meeting – 30 minutes minimum.
All through that time I want you to put yourselves in the shoes of a donor prospect having lunch with this new hire. It’s 1:45 and you have a 2pm meeting. The coffee has just been served and the check is sitting on the table.
Now, what feeling do you have? A nervous twitch and a desire to wrap things up? Or you can’t believe how quickly the time has flown?
6 Development Director Interview Questions and Answers
Q:
As a development director, you will be the organization’s main point of contact with other community organizations and donors. How would you communicate the uniqueness of our organization’s goals to donors?
A:
Many non-profits have similar missions, and individuals who have already contributed funds to one cause may be hesitant to commit to another organization that also works in the same interest area. The candidate should be persuasive and capable of highlighting your organization’s unique strengths to donors to ensure that funds come through. What to look for in answer:
“I would focus on our organization’s grassroots nature and close community connections as an edge that we have over other groups.”
Q:
