Development Director

Scion Staffing; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Employer-paid healthcare

PTO & holidays

401(k) with employer contribution

Leadership sabbatical policy

Job summary

Scion Staffing, Inc. is engaged to recruit a Development Director for a mission-driven nonprofit in Oakland, CA. The role is full-time with hybrid work: onsite Monday–Wednesday and remote Thursday–Friday, reporting to the Executive Director.

You will design a comprehensive development function, build a team, and lead major gift cultivation to support growth. The successful candidate will craft a five-year fundraising strategy, secure significant funding, and strengthen CRM, reporting, and

Qualifications

• Proven success leading nonprofit fundraising initiatives (six-figure gifts).
• Experience building or expanding a development department and fundraising systems.
• Strong ability to recruit, supervise, and mentor staff while actively fundraising.

Responsibilities

• Establish a comprehensive development function and fundraising infrastructure.
• Create and execute a five-year fundraising plan with multi-year initiatives.
• Build and manage a development team and secure major gifts.
• Cultivate donors, foundations, and institutional funders; oversee grant activity.
• Partner with leadership and the board to strengthen donor engagement and reporting.
• Oversee donor communications and impact storytelling to boost visibility.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Development strategy

CRM & data infrastructure

Team leadership

Donor cultivation

Grant management

Board collaboration

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Scion Nonprofit Staffing has been engaged to conduct a search for a Development Director on behalf of a growing, mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to healthy food, strengthening local communities, and advancing economic opportunity in Oakland, California. This is a full-time, direct-hire opportunity with a hybrid schedule, currently requiring onsite work Monday through Wednesday and remote work Thursday and Friday, subject to organizational needs.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced nonprofit fundraising leader to build and lead a development department from the ground up, establishing the strategy, systems, processes, and team needed to support long-term organizational growth. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Development Director will take ownership of fundraising initiatives, cultivate philanthropic relationships, enhance CRM infrastructure, and develop a five-year fundraising strategy while actively securing funding. The ideal candidate is a hands-on, strategic leader who thrives in a growing organization and is passionate about creating sustainable fundraising programs that advance community impact.

PERKS:

• Competitive Compensation: Annual salary of $105,000-$125,000, depending on experience.
• Comprehensive Healthcare: Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous Paid Time Off: 26 days of annual PTO plus 11 company holidays, totaling 37 days.
• Retirement & Long-Term Benefits: 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution and a leadership sabbatical policy.
• Leadership & Growth Opportunity: Build and lead a development department, hire and mentor a team, and shape the fundraising strategy of a growing nonprofit organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build and Lead the Development Department: Establish a comprehensive development function, including fundraising infrastructure, standard operating procedures, CRM improvements, reporting systems, and processes to support organizational growth.
• Develop and Execute Fundraising Strategy: Create and implement a five-year fundraising plan, lead annual and multi-year fundraising initiatives, and secure significant philanthropic contributions to support ambitious revenue goals, including approximately $3 million in 2027.
• Build and Manage a Development Team: Develop a strategic staffing plan, secure funding to support departmental growth, recruit and onboard development professionals, and supervise staff and external fundraising contractors.
• Cultivate Donors and Grant Funding: Expand relationships with individual donors, foundations, and institutional funders; personally secure major gifts; oversee grant prospecting, proposals, reporting, stewardship, and restricted grant compliance in collaboration with finance and program leadership.
• Partner with Executive Leadership and the Board: Work closely with the Executive Director and Board Fundraising Committee to strengthen donor engagement, support major gift cultivation, establish fundraising metrics, and report progress toward organizational goals.
• Oversee Communications and Marketing Strategy: Guide donor communications, newsletters, social media, website content, and impact storytelling with contractor support to strengthen community engagement, fundraising visibility, and donor retention.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated success leading nonprofit fundraising and development initiatives, including personally securing six-figure gifts and managing multi-year fundraising programs of $2 million or more.
• Proven ability to build or significantly expand a development department, establish fundraising systems and processes, improve CRM infrastructure, and execute annual and long-term fundraising strategies.
• Experience hiring, supervising, mentoring, and developing staff, with the ability to build a high-performing development team while remaining actively involved in fundraising.
• Strong background in major donor cultivation, grant management, restricted funding compliance, and collaboration with executive leadership and board fundraising committees.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, strategic planning, and organizational skills, with a commitment to equity, community engagement, and mission-driven work.
• Spanish and/or Arabic language skills are a plus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This full-time, exempt, direct-hire opportunity offers an annual salary of $105,000-$125,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The organization provides employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; 26 days of annual paid time off; 11 company holidays; and a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution and 1% employee contribution. A generous sabbatical policy is also available, with leadership eligibility after five years. The position is based in Oakland, California, with a current hybrid schedule of Monday through Wednesday onsite and Thursday and Friday remote. The organization is transitioning toward a 9:00 AM-6:00 PM schedule, and onsite expectations may evolve based on operational needs. This role offers a unique opportunity to establish a development department, build a team, strengthen organizational infrastructure, and directly influence the long-term success of an impactful community-focused nonprofit.