Development Specialist

Stryker Corporation; Oceanside (CA); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

The Star Theatre Company in Oceanside, CA is seeking a Development Specialist to drive growth by identifying funding opportunities, securing major gifts, writing grants, and building donor relationships. You will manage fundraising campaigns, track performance metrics, and ensure a steady, diversified stream of financial resources to support the organization's mission.

Reporting to the Managing Director, you will oversee donor databases, KPIs, and collaborate with the executive team to align

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience with 2–3+ years of fundraising or related relationship-management experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to tell compelling mission-driven stories for donors.
• Experience with donor management software and digital fundraising tools.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and comfort with asking for financial contributions.

Responsibilities

• Donor cultivation & stewardship: identify, engage, and maintain relationships with individual donors and sponsors.
• Fundraising strategy: design and execute annual giving campaigns, campaigns, and events.
• Grant writing: research, write, and manage grant proposals and reporting requirements.
• Data tracking & reporting: oversee the fundraising database, track interactions, measure KPIs against goals.
• Cross-functional collaboration: align fundraising goals with the executive team, board, and marketing.

Skills

Donor management software

Digital fundraising tools

Grant writing

Communication skills

Relationship management

Fundraising strategy

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM systems

Donor management software

Job description

Development Specialist

Organization: The Star Theatre Company (STC)

Reports to: Managing Director

Location: Oceanside, CA

Compensation: TBD Based Upon Experience and Performance

Position Overview

The Star Theatre is looking for a nonprofit Development Officer to drive our organization’s growth by identifying funding opportunities, securing major gifts, writing grants, and building donor relationships. They will manage fundraising campaigns, track performance metrics, and ensure a steady, diversified stream of financial resources to support the organization's mission.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• a. Identify, engage, and maintain relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors, and key stakeholders.

Fundraising Strategy

• Design and execute annual giving campaigns, capital campaigns, and fundraising events.

Grant Writing

• Research, write, and manage grant proposals and reporting requirements for foundations and government entities.ws.

Data Tracking & Reporting

• Oversee the fundraising database, track donor interactions, and measure KPIs against financial goals.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with the Executive Team, Board of Directors and marketing team to align fundraising goals with broader organizational objectives.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) and 2-3+ years of successful fundraising or related relationship-management experience.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to craft compelling, mission-driven stories that resonate with donors.
• Technical Proficiency: Experience with donor management software and digital fundraising tools.
• Interpersonal Skills: High emotional intelligence, networking ability, and comfort with making "the ask" for financial contributions.

Performance Metrics

• Total dollars raised against a set annual budget.
• Donor retention rates and the growth of the major donor portfolio.
• Grant proposal success rate and number of new prospects acquired

To Apply

Please send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to:

Paul Friedman: Managing Director – Star Theatre Company [e-mail]