Position Summary: Development & Communications Director
Location: Santa Barbara County
Job Type: Full-time, exempt position
Salary Hiring Range: $115,000 – $140,000
Organization Overview
Founded in 1985, The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is a 501(c) (3) tax exempt California non-profit Corporation that conserves natural resources, agricultural land, and open spaces for the benefit of present and future generations. We are a nationally-accredited member of the Land Trust Alliance and California Council of Land Trusts. For almost 40 years the Land Trust has worked to protect the spectacular landscapes we call home to ensure essential habitats, local food systems, and access to open space for all communities now and for future generations. Several years of tremendous growth and achievement have resulted in the successful conservation of over 56,000 acres, 57 conservation easements, and thousands of residents enjoying the outdoors. We are close to completing, and largely exceeding, our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan which calls for an acceleration of conservation and deepening relationships throughout the county. The Land Trust is working strategically to build capacity and scale systems to serve the needs of the organization we are becoming and deliver excellence in our field.
The Opportunity
As the Land Trust nears its 40th Anniversary, we are looking to hire an experienced Director of Development & Communications to help us embark on a new level of growth and engagement over the next five years and beyond. The Director will arrive at a time of evolution within the organization and have the opportunity to build new approaches to fund development and communications while also solidifying the systems and infrastructure that support growth. The Director will work with the whole Land Trust team to harness this momentum and build the communications and fund development program of our future.
A successful Development & Communications Director at the Land Trust will be a powerful storyteller, understand the motivations for giving and engagement, and be a skilled researcher who knows how to identify a funder’s priorities for impact. They will know how to crystallize diverse and technical information into a brief distillation that captures the main points and engages people’s interests and motivations. They will have deep experience cultivating and securing major gifts through prospecting, research, proposal writing, relationship development, and face-to-face solicitation. They will be an accomplished leader who brings out the best in their team and fosters a supportive, motivating, collaborative dynamic. If you want to join our team in a leadership role, we invite you to apply for the position of Development & Communications Director.
Scope of Responsibilities
The Director of Development & Communications is responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing all aspects of the Land Trust’s fundraising, communications, and marketing program to achieve the organization’s annual and long-term financial and relationship goals. They develop, oversee, and implement the Land Trust’s major gift program, foundation support, planned giving, special events, capital campaigns, marketing and communications. The Director supervises a small department of talented development professionals in identifying and cultivating donors and funding sources to achieve our roughly $2.5 million annual operating budget and works closely with the Executive Director, Conservation and Programs Teams, the Board of Trustees, and the Development Committee to grow the Land Trust’s funding base for capital projects. They work closely with the finance staff on budgeting, grant management and reporting processes and with the communications coordinator to ensure compelling fundraising messaging. This position reports to the Executive Director and is a valued member of the Land Trust’s senior leadership team. As a seasoned supervisor, they will lead and mentor our talented development and communications team members. Currently, this position has three direct reports.
The full position description and application instructions can be found here:
Employment – The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County (sblandtrust.org)
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