Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships

The Volunteer Center South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach; Torrance (CA); Presencial; USD 90.000 - 110.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan with employer-匹

Paid time off & holidays

Descripción de la vacante

The Volunteer Center South Bay/Harbor/Long Beach seeks a Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships to lead fundraising and corporate partnership efforts, driving strategic growth and community impact across the South Bay, Harbor, and Long Beach region.

Reporting to the President/CEO, you will own the donor pipeline, major gifts, events, and external communications, building a diversified and sustainable resource base for the organization’s next chapter.

Formación

• 7+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience.
• Proven track record in corporate partnership development.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with donor management/CRM systems (Salesforce or equivalent).
• Deep understanding of the nonprofit sector and regional community.
• Strong relationship-builder with donors, executives, and boards.
• Ability to work independently in a lean environment.

Responsabilidades

• Lead fundraising strategy with a diversified donor base.
• Manage portfolio of individual donors and major gift prospects.
• Develop major gifts and planned giving programs.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors and partners.
• Ensure accurate donor records, acknowledgments, and reporting.

Conocimientos

Fundraising strategy

Donor cultivation

Corporate partnerships

CRM (Salesforce)

Nonprofit sector knowledge

Relationship-building

Independent work

Herramientas

Salesforce

Descripción del empleo

JOB OPPORTUNITY

The Volunteer Center South Bay/Harbor/Long Beach (hereinafter referred to as the "Volunteer Center") is seeking an experienced and relationship-driven Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships to lead and grow our fundraising and partnership efforts at a pivotal moment in our organization's history. As we celebrate 63 years of service and enter a new strategic phase, this role will be central to ensuring the financial health and community visibility of the Volunteer Center.

Reporting directly to the President/CEO, the Director will own the organization's development pipeline, major gifts cultivation, corporate partnership program, and external-facing communications. This is a senior leadership role for someone who brings both strategic vision and a hands-on approach to building lasting relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners while positioning the Volunteer Center as the region's leading resource for volunteerism, civic engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.

ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER CENTER

For more than 60 years, the Volunteer Center has brought people, organizations, and communities together to address our region's most pressing needs. From youth development and food security to court-referred community service and community engagement, we believe volunteerism is not simply a means to an end—but the end itself for building stronger, more connected communities.

Today, the Volunteer Center serves as both a direct service provider and a community convener, working alongside nonprofit organizations, schools, businesses, government agencies, and faith communities to mobilize volunteers, strengthen partnerships, and expand opportunities for civic engagement throughout the South Bay, Harbor, and Long Beach region.

As the organization enters its next strategic chapter, we are focused on growing our impact and expanding cross-sector partnerships. The Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships will play a central role in ensuring the organization has diversified and sustainable resources to serve future generations.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Drive the organization's fundraising strategy with a focus on building a sustainable, diversified donor base. Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual giving, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, special events, and strategic community relationships.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual fund development plan aligned with organizational goals and budget targets.
• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and major gift prospects through the full donor cycle: identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Develop and formalize the organization's major gifts and planned giving programs, including opportunities for multi-generational giving through compelling storytelling and donor engagement.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with all donors and strategic partners, sustaining and deepening their engagement with the Volunteer Center's mission.
• Ensure accurate and timely donor records, gift processing, and acknowledgments by strengthening and innovating the organization's donor database.

Corporate & Strategic Partnerships

Build and manage a robust corporate partnership program that generates meaningful revenue and deepens the organization's presence among South Bay/Harbor/Long Beach businesses and civic institutions.

• Conduct a full audit of existing corporate relationships and develop a strategy to strengthen relationships, grow support for urgent community needs, and attract new partners.
• Build a corporate partnership program with sponsorship opportunities and volunteer experiences that align with each company's goals and community investment priorities.
• Work closely with program staff to develop the infrastructure needed to deliver meaningful corporate volunteer experiences, from planning and coordination to execution and follow-up.
• Develop tailored proposals and impact reports that demonstrate the value of each partnership, including measurable community outcomes and returns on corporate investment.
• Represent the Volunteer Center at business, civic, and community events, building authentic relationships that lead to lasting partnerships.

Lead the planning and execution of signature fundraising events that generate revenue, strengthen partnerships, and increase the Volunteer Center's visibility and engagement throughout the community.

• Provide overall leadership for the organization's annual fundraising gala and other signature fundraising events, from initial planning and budgeting through execution and post-event evaluation.
• Develop event fundraising strategies, including sponsorship packages, donor cultivation, ticket sales, and revenue goals.
• Coordinate with event committees, staff, volunteers, affinity groups, vendors, and community partners to ensure successful execution.
• Leverage events to cultivate new relationships, engage existing supporters, and strengthen the Volunteer Center's presence in the community.

External Communications & Visibility

Own the Volunteer Center's external-facing communications, ensuring donors, sponsors, and the broader public experience a consistent, compelling, and mission-driven organizational brand.

• Develop and lead execution of an annual communications calendar covering donor newsletters, campaign messaging, sponsor communications, and event promotions
• Author and oversee donor-facing content including appeal letters, annual reports, impact stories, and acknowledgment materials
• Grow the organization's social media presence with a focus on mission storytelling, donor recognition, program visibility, and community engagement, with a target of meaningful year-over-year audience growth
• Ensure the organization's web presence reflects current programs, partnerships, and impact
• Support media relations and public visibility efforts in coordination with the President/CEO

Organizational Leadership & Collaboration

Serve as a senior leader and cross-functional partner across the organization, contributing to strategic planning and organizational effectiveness.

• Participate in senior leadership team meetings and contribute to organizational planning, internal communication guidelines, and overall decision-making
• Support Board engagement in fundraising and partnership efforts, including providing briefings, materials, and coaching for Board members and affinity groups
• Build and manage development-related systems and infrastructure, including database integrity, pipeline tracking, and reporting dashboards
• Represent the development function in budget planning, contributing revenue projections and fundraising cost analysis
• Manage vendors, consultants, or contractors engaged in support of communications and fundraising activities

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 7+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, with a track record of donor cultivation, stewardship, and securing philanthropic support
• Proven track record in corporate partnership development, including building new relationships and managing existing accounts
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling donor-facing narratives
• Proficiency with donor management/CRM systems (Salesforce or equivalent)
• Deep understanding of the nonprofit sector and issues impacting the Southern California community.
• Strong relationship-builder with the ability to engage authentically with donors, executives, community leaders, and board members
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and drive results in a lean organizational environment

Preferred

• Experience establishing or formalizing a major gifts or planned giving program
• Familiarity with corporate social responsibility programs and cause-marketing partnerships
• Experience managing or contributing to social media strategy and content creation for a nonprofit or mission-driven organization
• Existing relationships within the South Bay, Harbor, or Long Beach philanthropic and business communities

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary: $90,000 - $110,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits include: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) retirement plan with employer match; Paid time off and holidays