Full Time Exempt Director of Development

The Salvation Army Southern California; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army is seeking a Director of Development for the Del Oro Division in California. This senior role provides strategic leadership and direction for all fundraising activities, including major gifts, capital campaigns, donor relations, and public relations, ensuring alignment with the division’s mission and goals.

The Director will plan and oversee programs, staff, and budgets, while cultivating new revenue streams and maintaining existing donor relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, marketing, public relations or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• AFP CFRE certification desirable.
• 5–7 years of professional fundraising leadership experience.
• Strong communication and ability to multi-task.
• Experience with capital campaigns and donor development.
• Knowledge of the Salvation Army’s mission and values.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development activities and fundraising programs (Planned Giving, Major Gifts, Capital Campaigns, Donor Relations, Public Relations).
• Plan, implement, and evaluate divisional fundraising strategies and budget performance.
• Hire, lead, and mentor development staff; foster teamwork across disciplines.
• Develop donor strategies and cultivate new income sources within the division.
• Provide oversight for communications, marketing materials, and donor communications.

Skills

Fundraising

Strategic planning

Donor relations

Team leadership

Public relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/marketing/public relations

Master's degree preferred

AFP CFRE desirable

Job description

The Salvation Army Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love for God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Under the direction of the Divisional Commander, the Director of Development will provide professional leadership and direction to the fundraising effort in the Del Oro Division. The Director will plan, organize, and direct all ongoing and special project‑funding programs for the Del Oro Division and oversee all areas of development including planning, interpretation, coordination, implementation, and management of fundraising activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Director of Development will oversee the production of high quality written communication for funders at all stages of the development process, including communicating the Salvation Army’s vision, mission and strategic priorities; developing proposals for foundation and corporate prospects; divisional marketing materials; and press releases; and continually building knowledge of current and potential supporters in the funding community.
• Ensure that the following programs are appropriately staffed and run productively and efficiently within their budgets: Planned Giving, Financial Development, Donor Relations, Public Relations, Capital Campaigns, Major Gifts, Board Development, Special Events, Advisory Organizations, and Echelon Women’s Auxiliary and Foundation Grants. Oversees all areas of development with a focus on teamwork and integration among all disciplines.
• Prepare a strategic plan with short and long‑range goals to meet funding objectives and coordinate and evaluate fundraising strategies, regulations, and procedures.
• Ensure that existing donor relationships are maintained and new income sources are cultivated. Oversee advanced research in locating and nurturing new prospects.
• Appoint, lead, evaluate and manage development staff to ensure established goals are met.
• Provide consulting support to locations that may be anticipating or planning capital fund campaigns and provide assistance and leadership to areas throughout the division on capital campaigns.
• Establish development policies, systems, and procedures; implement all administrative decisions and policies involving the Director of Development and its programs and keep the administrative advised of those changes and actions.
• Direct oversight for Social Media and website management.
• Provide regular updates and reports to Command Finance Council regarding the alignment of goals and objectives for the Division and the results.
• Plan and coordinate fund and solicitation drives for ongoing and special projects. Identify potential contributors through examination of past records, individual and corporate contracts, and knowledge of the community.
• Develop donor strategy for the Capital Campaign and follow program and acquisition.
• Inform potential contributors of special needs and encourage individuals, corporations, and foundations to establish or contribute to special funds through donations, endowments, trusts or bequests.
• Provide direction as resident consultant to Corps Officers, program Directors, Program advisory Boards, and other entities regarding fundraising. Provide advice, training, and mentoring to corps officers, professional development staff, and Advisory Boards on CRD related matters, including all discipline areas of fund development, board development and management, crisis management, disaster media relations, studies and campaigns.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

• At minimum, a Baccalaureate Degree – Masters preferred – in business, management, marketing, public relations, communications or another field.
• Degree from an accredited college or university in Fund Raising, Business Administration, Marketing or a related field.
• Associate of Fundraising Professional (AFP) Certificate as a Certified Fund‑Raising Executive (CFRE) is desirable.
• Five to seven years of professional paid work experience at the Director of Development level with a proven track record to maintain existing and generate new revenue streams.
• Six to eight years progressive management experience; demonstration of strategic thinking; the ability to successfully multi‑task; and strong oral and written communication skills.
• Seven to ten years of experience with progressive responsibility in fundraising and management.
• Knowledge of all the components of a total development program; effective communication skills both oral and written; work experience in planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling delegated resources; sensitivity to the comprehensive mission of the Salvation Army; self‑motivation and ability to motivate and lead others.
• Knowledge of the Salvation Army’s mission, philosophy, and strategic priorities within the Del Oro Division.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of individual, corporate, foundation, grants and budgetary areas.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver license and ability to drive a Salvation Army vehicle.
• Must be 21 years or older.
• Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check to include a DOJ livescan Fingerprint check.
• Complete The Salvation Army vehicle course training.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis.
• Ability to grasp, push, and/or pull objects.
• Ability to reach overhead.
• Ability to operate telephone.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs for administrative positions.
• Ability to operate a computer.
• Ability to process written, visual and/or verbal information.
• Ability to operate basic office equipment and tools: PC, fax machine, telephone, calculator, copier, printer.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed would not result in undue hardship.