Development Director | Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site

e-Active B.V.; Long Beach, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Rancho Los Cerritos in Long Beach, CA seeks a Development Director to lead a comprehensive fundraising program aligned with our Preservation, Innovation, Education and Stewardship pillars. You will play a senior leadership role building a culture of philanthropy and guiding donor engagement.

Reporting to the Executive Director, you will design plans, manage major gifts, grants and events; supervise three development professionals; collaborate with the board and partners, and travel locally to

Qualifications

• 5+ years professional experience in a leadership position for fundraising.
• 5+ years of supervisor’s experience is required.
• BA/BS and/or equivalent experience required, master’s degree preferred.
• Proven record in soliciting and closing major gifts of $50,000 and up.
• Experience supporting Board Members and senior staff in portfolio management preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing annual fund appeal-driven fundraising activities strongly preferred.
• Strong familiarity of corporate and foundation philanthropy and best practices for relationship management.
• Proven ability to articulate an organization’s unique value proposition powerfully and succinctly, and adapt this case for support to corporations, private foundations, family foundations, and other philanthropic audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop a fundraising plan that includes donor segmentation, objectives for various fundraising streams, staff and board involvement, and defined roles and targets.
• Manage solicitation and stewardship activities in collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board.
• Lead the major gifts program and serve as primary major gifts officer.
• Oversee revenue forecasting, budgeting, and financials for funding submissions.
• Support the Executive Director to advance Board engagement in fundraising; attend meetings and liaise with committees.
• Recruit, retain, and supervise a team of three development professionals and provide coaching.
• Plan and execute special events to boost fundraising growth (gala, golf, donor gatherings).
• Lead and maximize fundraising appeals (Long Beach Gives, GivingTuesday, End of Year Appeal, Annual Impact Report).
• Establish institutional giving programs and ensure compliance with grant and sponsorship standards.
• Collaborate with the Chair of the Philanthropy Committee and Executive Director on operating plans and budgets.
• Oversee an active Grants Program; pursue new opportunities.
• Spearhead Planned Giving initiatives and nurture relationships with funders and supporters.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Donor relations

Staff management

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Education

BA/BS or equivalent

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

DonorPerfect

Google Apps

Microsoft Office

Job description

Rancho Los Cerritos is a national, state and locally recognized museum and historical site located in beautiful Long Beach, CA. Our vision is to cultivate an inclusive and sustainable world by exploring the historic connections between people and Rancho Los Cerritos and our mission is to honor diverse perspectives, enrich collaborative conversations, and inspire broader understanding through stewardship of Rancho Los Cerritos’ natural and cultural history. We teach about the history of the area, archaeology and other topics through school tours, special events, concerts and other youth and family programs such as bilingual Storytime.

The full-time Development Director is joining our team during an exciting and defining moment in the Rancho’s history as we completed a new strategic plan to incorporateSTEAM education and environmental sustainability throughout the four pillars of our work: Preservation, Innovation, Education and Stewardship.

The selected candidate will lead the effort in implementing a comprehensive fundraising program to support the annual fundraising goals of the organization. The Development Director will serve as part of the senior leadership team to foster a culture of philanthropy and meaningful support to ensure that the Rancho can sustain and deliver on its vision, mission, and goals.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $100,000-$110,000, dependent on experience. This position is also eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical insurance
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick leave

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Details of the schedule will be determined once a candidate has been selected.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop a fundraising plan that includes donor segmentation, objectives for individual, corporate, and institutional fundraising and success metrics, identification of staff and board members who will be actively involved in fundraising and definition of roles, targets and fundraising goals.

Manage and personally engage in solicitation and stewardship activities in collaboration with the Executive Director, other staff, and members of the Board.

Lead the strategy and execution of Rancho Los Cerritos’ major gifts program and serve as the primary major gifts officer for the organization.

Primarily responsible for development related revenue forecasting, managing expenses, and overseeing budgets and financials for funding submissions.

Support Executive Director to advance Board engagement in fundraising. Includes regular attendance at Board meetings and supporting member-driven fundraising activities. Function as liaison to board committees that support development.

Retain, recruit, and manage a team of three development professionals establish work plans, performance objectives and goals, and regularly review performance; provide professional development and training opportunities to cultivate staff skills and professionalism.

Orchestrate special events that boost institutional and individual fundraising efforts, including biannual gala s and golf tournaments, corporate and private gatherings, and events celebrating contributions of various donor groups and marking special milestones for Rancho Los Cerritos.

Lead efforts to maximize fundraising appeals including, Long Beach Gives, GivingTuesday, End of Year Appeal, and the Annual Impact Report.

Establish institutional giving programs for corporate and foundation gifts; ensure successful adherence to grant and restricted giving agreements; establish clear standards for institutional sponsorship, with particular emphasis on the proper use of branding and logos, naming and other recognition opportunities.

With the Chair of the Philanthropy Committee and the Executive Director, identify potential Board Member candidates who can help the Board reach its fundraising objectives; collaborate with the Executive Director in the preparation of annual operating plans and budgets, incorporating fundraising projections into the budget of the organization.

Oversee an already robust Grants Program to ensure recurring opportunities are maximized and new opportunities continue to be sought out and brought into the fold.

Spearhead the creation and execution of Rancho Los Cerritos’ Planned Giving Program efforts.

Maintain and build strong relationships with funders, donors, and strategic allies in Rancho Los Cerritos’ network. Includes willingness to travel locally and regionally to lead in-person meetings and site visits with supporters.

QUALIFICATIONS:

5+ years professional experience in a leadership position for fundraising is required.

5+ years of supervisor’s experience is required.

BA/BS and/or equivalent experience required, master’s degree preferred.

Proven record in soliciting and closing major gifts of $50,000 and up. Experience supporting Board M e mbers and senior staff in portfolio management preferred.

Demonstrated experience managing annual fund appeal-driven fundraising activities strongly preferred.

Strong familiarity of corporate and foundation philanthropy and best practices for relationship management.

Proven ability to articulate an organization’s unique value proposition powerfully and succinctly, and adapt this case for support to corporations, private foundations, family foundations, and other philanthropic audiences.

Must have strong interpersonal and communications skills and demonstrate professionalism and warmth when interacting with Rancho Los Cerritos’ donor community, staff, volunteers, students, and partners.

Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously with thoroughness, accuracy, timeliness, professionalism, and a positive spirit.

Willingness to travel locally and regionally to meet with donors and prospects.

Fluency required or proven ability to learn: Google Apps, Microsoft Office, DonorPerfect.

Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it.

Rancho Los Cerritos is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, national origin, disability status, age, or veteran status.