Development Director (Full-Time)

AbilityFirst • Pasadena, CA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Development Director is a senior member of AbilityFirst's fundraising leadership team, partnering with the Chief Development Officer to translate development strategy into consistent, measurable results. The Director owns the organization’s signature events and sponsorship program, leads corporate partnership strategy, oversees annual giving and donor data, and supports the CDO in growing major and planned gifts. The role leads a team of three, including two direct reports, and manages day-to-day department operations. The position calls for an experienced fundraising leader able to set strategy and work directly on donor cultivation, sponsorship asks, volunteer committees, and data-informed team priorities.

The position is full-time, exempt, and scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with evenings and weekends required around events. It is hybrid, combining in-office and remote work, and requires regular travel to centers, event venues, and donor or sponsor meetings. The role is based in Fair Oaks, Pasadena, California. Applicants must submit a cover letter and portfolio in addition to a resume.

Candidates must complete a TB test, Live Scan fingerprinting/background check, drug screening, required vaccinations, and physical/fitness-for-duty clearance as conditions of employment. The position is subject to mandated-reporting requirements under California law. Employees working in day care facilities must meet the stated vaccination requirements. All staff have an introductory period of three months; employment is at-will.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of progressive nonprofit development experience, including at least 3 years supervising staff.
• Demonstrated success leading fundraising events end to end, including sponsorship acquisition and volunteer committee leadership.
• Track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Experience managing annual giving and direct mail programs; working knowledge of planned giving.
• Proficiency with a donor CRM; Salesforce is preferred, and comfort using data to guide fundraising decisions is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong judgment and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines while maintaining donor confidentiality.
• Valid California driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Compliance with mandated reporter requirements under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment TB test, Live Scan fingerprinting/background check, drug screening, required vaccinations, and physical/fitness-for-duty clearance.
• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible development experience is preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible development experience.
• Experience working with boards and volunteer committees.
• CFRE certification.
• Experience partnering with a CDO or executive on major-gift strategy.
• Experience building corporate partnership programs, including sponsorships, cause marketing, and employee engagement.
• Marketing or communications experience, including donor-facing content and brand consistency.

Responsibilities

• Lead AbilityFirst's signature fundraising events, setting strategy, revenue goals, and success metrics, and build the annual events calendar with the CDO.
• Own sponsorship strategy and revenue across events; personally cultivate and secure lead sponsors and guide staff on exhibitor, corporate, and in-kind partnerships.
• Lead event steering committees by setting agendas, driving decisions, and keeping volunteers engaged and accountable.
• Manage event budgets and vendor contracts in coordination with Finance.
• Partner with the Grant Writer to develop a proactive corporate engagement strategy spanning sponsorships, grants, employee volunteering, and other partnership opportunities.
• Identify and cultivate new corporate partners and develop coordinated outreach and stewardship plans to grow multi-year relationships.
• Work with the Senior Volunteer Coordinator to create corporate volunteer opportunities that support engagement and revenue goals.
• Partner with the CDO on major gifts by preparing donor briefings and moves-management plans, identifying and qualifying prospects surfaced through data and events, and representing the department at cultivation and stewardship meetings.
• Support the CDO in building a planned giving pipeline from existing donors.
• Oversee the annual giving and direct mail program with Marketing, from segmentation and messaging through results analysis.
• Review donor-facing communications, including e-blasts, event promotion, and campaign materials, for accuracy, tone, and alignment with development strategy.
• Ensure timely donor acknowledgment, recognition, and stewardship at every giving level.
• Use Salesforce reporting and donor data to identify trends, segments, and gaps across the giving pipeline, and turn findings into recommendations for the CDO and team.
• Oversee gift processing, acknowledgments, reporting, and database integrity, supervising the Donor Engagement Specialist's work in these areas.
• Supervise, coach, and manage the performance of the Associate Director of Development and the Donor Engagement Specialist.
• Manage day-to-day department operations.
• Partner with the CDO on annual budgets for events, annual giving, and corporate partnerships, and monitor revenue and expenses throughout the year.
• Uphold ethical fundraising practices and donor confidentiality across the department.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for AbilityFirst at community and sector events.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission and strategic priorities of AbilityFirst.

Benefits

• Competitive benefit package including comprehensive health coverage, 403(b) with agency contribution, and vacation and sick time.
• Weekly meditation and mindfulness.
• Professional development opportunities tailored to individual career growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior