Development Director

Scion Nonprofit Staffing has been engaged to conduct a search for a Development Director on behalf of a growing, mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to healthy food, strengthening local communities, and advancing economic opportunity in Oakland, California. This is a full-time, direct-hire opportunity with a hybrid schedule, currently requiring onsite work Monday through Wednesday and remote work Thursday and Friday, subject to organizational needs.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced nonprofit fundraising leader to build and lead a development department from the ground up, establishing the strategy, systems, processes, and team needed to support long-term organizational growth. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Development Director will take ownership of fundraising initiatives, cultivate philanthropic relationships, enhance CRM infrastructure, and develop a five-year fundraising strategy while actively securing funding. The ideal candidate is a hands-on, strategic leader who thrives in a growing organization and is passionate about creating sustainable fundraising programs that advance community impact.

PERKS:

• Competitive Compensation: Annual salary of $105,000–$125,000, depending on experience.
• Comprehensive Healthcare: Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous Paid Time Off: 26 days of annual PTO plus 11 company holidays, totaling 37 days.
• Retirement & Long-Term Benefits: 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution and a leadership sabbatical policy.
• Leadership & Growth Opportunity: Build and lead a development department, hire and mentor a team, and shape the fundraising strategy of a growing nonprofit organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build and Lead the Development Department: Establish a comprehensive development function, including fundraising infrastructure, standard operating procedures, CRM improvements, reporting systems, and processes to support organizational growth.
• Develop and Execute Fundraising Strategy: Create and implement a five-year fundraising plan, lead annual and multi-year fundraising initiatives, and secure significant philanthropic contributions to support ambitious revenue goals, including approximately $3 million in 2027.
• Build and Manage a Development Team: Develop a strategic staffing plan, secure funding to support departmental growth, recruit and onboard development professionals, and supervise staff and external fundraising contractors.
• Cultivate Donors and Grant Funding: Expand relationships with individual donors, foundations, and institutional funders; personally secure major gifts; oversee grant prospecting, proposals, reporting, stewardship, and restricted grant compliance in collaboration with finance and program leadership.
• Partner with Executive Leadership and the Board: Work closely with the Executive Director and Board Fundraising Committee to strengthen donor engagement, support major gift cultivation, establish fundraising metrics, and report progress toward organizational goals.
• Oversee Communications and Marketing Strategy: Guide donor communications, newsletters, social media, website content, and impact storytelling with contractor support to strengthen community engagement, fundraising visibility, and donor retention.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated success leading nonprofit fundraising and development initiatives, including personally securing six-figure gifts and managing multi-year fundraising programs of $2 million or more.
• Proven ability to build or significantly expand a development department, establish fundraising systems and processes, improve CRM infrastructure, and execute annual and long-term fundraising strategies.
• Experience hiring, supervising, mentoring, and developing staff, with the ability to build a high-performing development team while remaining actively involved in fundraising.
• Strong background in major donor cultivation, grant management, restricted funding compliance, and collaboration with executive leadership and board fundraising committees.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, strategic planning, and organizational skills, with a commitment to equity, community engagement, and mission-driven work. Spanish and/or Arabic language skills are a plus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This full-time, exempt, direct-hire opportunity offers an annual salary of $105,000–$125,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The organization provides employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; 26 days of annual paid time off; 11 company holidays; and a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution and 1% employee contribution. A generous sabbatical policy is also available, with leadership eligibility after five years.

The position is based in Oakland, California, with a current hybrid schedule of Monday through Wednesday onsite and Thursday and Friday remote. The organization is transitioning toward a 9:00 AM–6:00 PM schedule, and onsite expectations may evolve based on operational needs. This role offers a unique opportunity to establish a development department, build a team, strengthen organizational infrastructure, and directly influence the long-term success of an impactful community-focused nonprofit.

HOW TO APPLY:

For immediate consideration, please submit your resume here!

ABOUT OUR FIRM:

Scion Nonprofit Staffing is an award-winning national nonprofit recruitment and staffing specialist for nonprofit organizations, foundations, associations, and educational institutions! Since 2006, we have had the pleasure of successfully placing thousands of talented professionals supporting incredible missions and programs. Through our innovative team-building and recruiting solutions, we bridge the gap in executive leadership searches, direct hire nonprofit recruiting, interim leadership placement, and temporary professional staffing.

For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Nonprofit Staffing proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.