Director, Development, Strategic Engagement

Ceres.org • California Hybrid, CA

3d • $115,600 - $137,200

About The Position

Ceres is hiring a full-time, exempt Director, Development, Strategic Engagement to serve as an outward-facing leader on its Development Team. The role focuses on cultivating, stewarding, and expanding relationships with major individual donors, emerging family offices, philanthropic families, private foundations, and philanthropic intermediaries. The Director will use established networks and relationship-building expertise to connect philanthropists with Ceres’ mission and develop funding opportunities.

The Director manages a portfolio of high-value prospects and donors, including those with capacity for six- and seven-figure commitments, and strategically directs the engagement of Ceres’ CEO and senior leaders. The role works closely with program teams to translate initiatives into compelling philanthropic opportunities, tailor proposals to donor interests, and match donor priorities with program needs. It also involves planning and producing cultivation events, supporting the annual Evening with Ceres fundraising dinner, and partnering with Marketing and Communications on donor-facing materials and event messaging.

The position reports to the Senior Director, Development. The Director must reside in or near the Bay Area, be flexible to work with employees across US time zones, and expect regular local travel of up to 30%, with occasional travel to the Boston office or other key events and national travel as needed. Ceres offers opportunities for hybrid and remote work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience.
• At least 10 years of full-time related experience.
• Substantive relationship management experience, gained in fundraising or an adjacent field such as impact investing, private wealth management, family office or philanthropic advisory services, or corporate sustainability leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to open doors and secure introductions to high-net-worth individuals, family offices, philanthropic families, and/or their advisors.
• Ability and willingness to discuss Ceres’ areas of work and how philanthropic investment can advance them with prospective donors.
• Strong writing and oral presentation skills, with highly developed verbal and written communication abilities and the ability to engage external audiences and stakeholders effectively.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Interest in working within a diverse workforce and willingness to support Ceres’ Commitment to Inclusion and Equity.
• Proficiency with the MS Office Suite.
• Willingness to travel locally, approximately 30%, and nationally as needed.
• Must reside in or near the Bay Area and be flexible to work with employees in all US time zones.

Nice To Haves

• Existing relationships within the Bay Area.
• Passion for climate change, environmental, and/or sustainability issues.
• Multiple years of relevant experience with climate change, environmental, and/or sustainability issues.
• Proficiency with Salesforce.

Responsibilities

• Leverage established networks and familiarity with the emerging family office ecosystem to expand Ceres’ philanthropic reach.
• Manage a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and private foundations with capacity for six- and seven-figure commitments, moving them through the donor continuum.
• Direct the CEO’s and senior leadership team’s engagement with priority donors and solicitation opportunities.
• Handle a high degree of prospect administration independently.
• Partner with program teams to understand initiatives and translate them into compelling philanthropic investment opportunities.
• Match donor interests with program needs and develop tailored proposals aligned with donors’ priorities and Ceres’ strategic goals.
• Conceive and produce targeted cultivation events, including intimate gatherings, virtual briefings, and larger friend-raising events.
• Support strategic planning and execution of the annual Evening with Ceres fundraising dinner.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications on donor-facing materials, digital assets, and regional event messaging.
• Carry out other assigned projects or tasks.

Benefits

• Opportunities for hybrid and remote work.
• Employer-paid health insurance at 80%, 81%, or 85%, depending on coverage election.
• Employer-paid dental insurance at 85%.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a generous match starting on day one.
• Commuter and work-from-home expense allowances.
• Flexible spending accounts for eligible pre-tax expenses.
• 10 holidays.
• Generous vacation.
• Additional paid time off, including week-long summer and winter breaks, summer Fridays, and sick, personal, and parental leave.

What This Job Offers

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