Development Director

Director of Development

Title: Director of Development

Salary: $120,000-$140,000 – DOE

Job Type: Exempt, Full Time

Education: Bachelor’s Degree is required.

Location: Goleta, California

Reports to: Executive Director

Work Authorization: United States

The Director of Development works in partnership with the Executive Director to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward annual and major gifts from individuals or organizations. The Director of Development will work closely with the Executive Director, serving as the primary driver for internal processes and external moves that will ensure a consistent and deliberate focus on those individuals whose philanthropy will have a significant impact on SBWCN.

Key metrics for success will include donor engagement through in-person contacts and development of annual, major and planned giving strategies.

The position focuses approximately 75% time on strategic partnership with the executive director to secure major gifts ($25,000 or more), with an eye toward developing legacy contributions via planned giving and supporting endowment programs. 25% percent time will be focused on other activities related to annual fundraising, including some lower-level gift solicitations, event support, and administrative duties such as planning, coordinating and executing aspects of the annual “Wild Night Out” fundraising event and other donor-related events. With regard to annual fundraising, this position designs and executes planned strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, closing and stewardship of gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations.

Essential Duties

• In partnership with the Executive Director, develop a comprehensive and actionable annual and multi-year giving plan with ambitious and attainable revenue goals.

• Design and implement customized cultivation strategies for each donor that will serve as a foundational communication and marketing plan for each individual within the portfolio.

• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to coordinate cultivation events and other activities for donors/prospective donors.

• Monitor all contacts to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations.

• Move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure. Maintain a full and flexible calendar to ensure timely solicitations and meetings.

• As required, supports the Executive Director and Board leaders as well as key volunteer leaders during prospect visits.

• Supports and staffs the Executive Director in donor prospect relationships including proposing planned strategies leading to gifts; briefings in preparation for development-related meetings; drafts or plans letters to donors and prospects, comments for donor gatherings; and sets and coordinates individual meetings with many key gift prospects.

• Helps plan, implement, and solicit support for endowment campaigns and legacy gifts

Qualifications

• Five years or more of significant nonprofit fundraising experience with a successful track record of fundraising to meet organizational needs.

• Three or more years of experience in major and annual giving cultivation and solicitation. Proven track record of building donor relationships and closing gifts in the four, five, and six-figure range. Seven-figure gift experience is a plus.

• A proven track record of maintaining effective relationships with donors and determining the optimal scenario for successful gift solicitation.

• Experience working with volunteer fundraisers to successfully close gifts among their networks.

• Ability to establish and monitor priorities, maintain flexibility, and meet deadlines with limited direct supervision.

• Strong strategic thinking, analytical and prospect research skills, and goal orientation are essential.

• Outstanding stewardship and relationship management skills with effective and consistent follow-through. Possesses excellent presentation skills while demonstrating creativity.

• Successful experience in making cold calls as well as developing cultivation and solicitation strategies.

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills (written and verbal)  with both internal and external constituencies required. Adept at crafting compelling and high-quality proposals, reports, solicitation letters and donor correspondence.

• Ability to engage and motivate groups of diverse individuals.

• Solid comprehension of, and ability to articulate SBWCN’s mission, goals and accomplishments.

• Experience with Planned Giving is preferable, but not required.

To apply: Please send a copy of your resume, cover letter, and three professional references to:

James Kyriaco

Director of Human Resources

james@sbwcn.org

(805)451-2278