Development Leader: Endowment & Major Gifts Strategy

HR Pals; Westlake Village (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Southeast Ventura County YMCA in Westlake Village, CA seeks an Executive Director of Development to lead fundraising strategy, annual giving, major gifts, endowment development, and donor stewardship, transitioning to a relationship-based philanthropy model. This role reports to the CEO and will supervise an associate, aligning with program and communications teams.

The position drives sustainable revenue growth, engages donors and community partners, and ensures financial sustainability and

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated success in major gifts, campaigns, and donor development.
• Experience building or growing a donor base, ideally in a developing or scaling organization.
• Strong relationship-building and donor cultivation and solicitation skills.
• Proven ability to think strategically and execute with accountability.
• Experience working with boards and volunteers in fundraising roles.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and fundraising analytics.
• Excellent communication, organization, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive development strategy including annual giving and major gifts.
• Create and manage fundraising plans, priorities, timelines and revenue goals.
• Establish measurable fundraising goals and track progress with reporting and analysis.
• Cultivate and steward major donors and manage a donor pipeline.
• Implement donor stewardship to ensure engagement, recognition and retention.
• Use CRM to track donor activity and inform strategy.
• Lead endowment development, identify prospects and secure planned gifts.
• Educate and engage donors, board members, and community stakeholders on endowment impact.
• Collaborate with CEO on board development and fundraising accountability.
• Support board members as ambassadors and fundraisers for the YMCA.
• Coordinate with Communications to align fundraising and messaging.

Skills

Nonprofit fundraising

Donor cultivation

Board relations

CRM proficiency

Leadership

Job description

Southeast Ventura County YMCA in Westlake Village, CA seeks an Executive Director of Development to lead fundraising strategy, annual giving, major gifts, endowment development, and donor stewardship, transitioning to a relationship-based philanthropy model. This role reports to the CEO and will supervise an associate, aligning with program and communications teams.

The position drives sustainable revenue growth, engages donors and community partners, and ensures financial sustainability and