Development Director

Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) is seeking a friendly, professional and passionate Development Director to join their team of diverse change-agents committed to building stronger communities in the North Bay and beyond. As a nonprofit organization management company, CVNL works to create healthy, equitable, and happy communities by building the skills and connections of leaders and volunteers. The Development Director will play a vital role in supporting this mission by developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising and development plan.

In close partnership with the CEO, the Development Director will be responsible for leading all aspects of CVNL’s development function which includes grants management, corporate partnerships, major gifts, and donor stewardship. The Director will also oversee Marketing & Communications and Events. The ideal candidate will be creative, strategic, and a skilled communicator who is passionate about engaging with donors and building relationships with key stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Development:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive development plan aligned with the organization’s strategic plan, vision and budget. To include grants, corporate giving, annual appeals, planned giving, and other sources of funding.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, sponsors, and partners.
• Create and manage the annual budget and track progress against revenue goals.
• Support and supervise the Event Manager and Secret Santa Coordinators in the execution of all events.
• Coordinate Corporate Sponsorship recruitment and retention for all CVNL events, including three Heart Events, the Sonoma County Human Race, Secret Santa and 100MARIN.
• Manage the organization’s grant portfolio including prospect and subject matter research, proposal writing, and on time reporting. Draft and edit high quality, compelling LOI’s, and acknowledgement letters.
• Coordinate the development of grant requests by establishing and meeting timelines that outline tasks, assignments, and deadlines; facilitate timely communications with program leadership; collect grant submission materials from Programs and Finance.

Marketing & Communications Strategy, Vision

• Working with the Leadership Team, develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance CVNL’s brand identity; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities; and increase the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences.
• Create marketing/public relations strategy that will allow CVNL’s leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media and key influencers.
• Work with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions, to define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
• Oversee staff for the creation of marketing collateral, including digital and print materials.
• Manage strategy and direction for social media, email marketing, and website content to engage and grow our audience.
• Support Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) systems that further engage all CVNL relationships, both internally and externally.

Events:

• Plan and execute a calendar of events, ensuring each event aligns with organizational goals and budget.
• Lead the team to coordinate logistics, secure sponsorships, and promote events effectively.
• Evaluate event success and provide post-event reports and analysis.

Team Leadership & Staff Development:

• Hire, train, and mentor a high-performing team, fostering a collaborative and goal-oriented work environment.
• Provide guidance and support to team members to help them achieve their individual and collective objectives.
• Provide leadership and guidance to directors and managers on brand marketing and communications.

Other

• Plan and lead Development Peer Learning Network meetings.
• Financial management, including maintaining a pipeline and tracking revenue year over year.
• Represent CVNL at community events.
• Become a subject matter expert and contributor for the CVNL’s business products, programs and services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 5+ years of proven track record of grant writing and fundraising success, particularly through securing foundation, government and other event and program sponsorships, corporate gifts, individual and major gift support through personal solicitation, successful campaign management, and engagement of community supporters.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools (e.g., CRM, project management, marketing automation, event management platforms).
• Proven success in developing and executing comprehensive fundraising plans.
• Demonstrated experience in cultivating and securing major gifts and grants.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse constituents and stakeholders.
• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build and nurture relationships with donors, board members, and staff.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Creative problem solver with the ability to think strategically about fundraising opportunities.
• Passion for the CVNL mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Spanish language proficiency a plus.
• Familiarity with North Bay communities a plus.
• Competent in leading or facilitating sessions on related topics a plus.

Physical & Travel Requirements:

• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends to support events/special projects.
• Able to travel throughout Marin and Bay Area.
• In addition to basic computer desk work, the employee is required to stand, walk, reach above shoulders, and climb or balance. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.
• This is an onsite position in San Rafael office with minimal travel to Santa Rosa office.
• Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with differing abilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

• Vacation: 12 days in year 1, 15 days in year 2, 20 days in year 5.
• Sick: 12 Sick days per year
• Holidays: 12 days observed.
• Health Insurance with base plan 100% covered by employer.
• Vision and Dental Insurance.
• 403B Retirement Plans with 3.5% employer contribution after 12 months.
• Staff have regular opportunities to participate in professional development workshops and classes offered at CVNL

Compensation:

The budgeted starting salary that CVNL reasonably expects to pay for this position is $87000 to $120000. This takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, external market comparisons for similar positions in similar geographic locations and size. Offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CVNL is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of qualifications. The Agency policy prohibits unlawful discrimination in any employment decision based on pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religious creed, color, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation. Submission of your application is not an offer of employment or an employment contract.

Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL)