Development Director-Los Angeles

• POSITION: Development Director
• LOCATION: Los Angeles
• REPORTS TO: Executive Director, LA
• SUPERVISES: Development Manager
• FLSA STATUS: Exempt
• SALARY RANGE: $95,000-$130,000 year

TRAVEL & SCHEDULE:

Non-local: 0% except once a year for approximately 3-4 days for LIFT’s annual All Staff Retreat in one of its regional cities (no non-local travel if retreat is in home city)

Local In-Person External Meetings: 15%

Some evenings and occasional weekend work to attend events

ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION

LIFT is on a mission to break the cycle of poverty by investing in parents. Through direct work with families, engaging technical assistance partnerships, and by advocating for policies that drive systemic change, we’re fighting poverty by lifting two generations at once.

Our team culture is rooted in deep respect for the parents we partner with and for each other. We’re looking for dedicated team members who share our vision that, 25 years from now, LIFT is no longer needed because we have helped build a social service system grounded in Hope, Money, and Love, where all families can thrive. We’re guided by mission- and strategy-aligned leadership grounded in kindness, curiosity, relationships, and a commitment to equity. Explore our benefits and what it’s like to work at LIFT below – or visit our Benefits & Culture Overview to learn more.

*LIFT operates sites in Chicago, Los Angeles, DC, and New York. LIFT operates as a hybrid work environment. Accordingly, this role will be expected to work in the LA office approximately two days a week.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the regional Executive Director, the Development Director is responsible for the management, coordination, and execution of the region’s fundraising efforts to meet the year’s revenue goals. The Development Director will serve as a thought partner to the regional Executive Director, will co-lead on regional revenue strategy and plan for execution. This role will oversee institutional fundraising with the Development team, and manage a development portfolio that includes individual, corporate, and institutional donors, as well as major campaigns like events. Success for the Director looks like our members and program having the support and resources they need to succeed.

AS THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, YOU WILL…

Strategy & Leadership

Serve as thought partner to the Executive Director in shaping the region's overall development strategy

Lead the annual revenue planning process with the ED and National Development Team

Regularly generate and analyze fundraising data to inform strategy adjustments

Develop deep understanding of programmatic offerings and use those insights to drive development strategy

Ground all fundraising in race, equity, and social justice; work toward a community-centric fundraising model

Grants & Foundation Relations

Identify new grant funding opportunities and lead proposal and report strategy

Steward existing foundation relationships

Support the ED in managing LIFT-LA's current foundation relationships, including reviewing grant proposals and reports from the National Grants Consultant

Cultivate funding opportunities and Portfolio

Manage, renew and upgrade a portfolio of existing and new institutional, corporate, and individual relationships to meet or exceed annual fundraising goals

Work collaboratively with Board and partners to expand supporter network

Support Board in partner engagement and stewardship

Use wealth screening tools to identify current and new stakeholders to build relationships with potential donor

Develop, cultivate and inspire relationships with corporate donors as sponsors and long-term sustainability partners

Build and steward a prospect portfolio targeting $3,500+ gifts. Solicit and close individual gifts

Manage Salesforce to integrate data and research into the donor cultivation process

Lead planning and execution of the annual Family Supporter Network and/or fundraising campaign

Plan small donor cultivation events with the ED, Development Manager, and program team

Communications & Storytelling

Support the Development Manager in creating and implementing a communications strategy including newsletters and donor stewardship touchpoints

Continue to grow and implement ethical storytelling and compensation processes

Support staff in collecting stories from members, coaches, and donors; ensure families' voices and narratives are centered in communications and donor conversations

Advisory Board & Stakeholder Engagement

Work with the ED to engage the region's Advisory Board, including recruiting and selecting new members

Handle Advisory Board communications and preparation for meetings

Effectively leverage the Executive Director with existing and prospective funders

Team Management & Collaboration with Executive Director

Directly supervise the region's Development Manager

Support the ED in engaging the Operations Manager in events, development, and fundraising activities

Prepare the ED for funder meetings and donor conversations, including briefing materials, talking points, and background on donor history and interests

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE …

Has 6-10 years of nonprofit fundraising experience including identifying, cultivating, and stewarding new prospects while continuing to cultivate and elevate exist donors

Has a Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience

Has knowledge of Los Angeles ’s fundraising landscape, with the ability to network and collaborate with a wide array of stakeholders

Has strong strategic thinking skills with an ability to use data to make decisions and to translate strategy to action

Demonstrates superior verbal and written communication skills with an ability to articulate a clear and compelling vision and lead others to implement it

Has sound judgment, excellent customer service, solid organization and interpersonal skills the capacity to receive feedback constructively

Has Salesforce experience (preferred) or other fundraising database

Is a team player with a proven ability to motivate, engage and work collaboratively at all levels with prospect donors, volunteers, staff, colleagues, and similar constituencies

Has the ability to coach and mentor peers and executives on effective fundraising practice

Takes responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and achieve results with appropriate levels of oversight

Demonstrated project management experience in a development context including strong attention to detail, results orientation, and follow through

Helps to create a work environment that appreciates diversity and encourages equity by treating others with respect, listening to, and demonstrating appreciation for others’ perspectives, and using culturally sensitive language

Aligns the direction, services, outputs, and performance of their department with the rest of the organization, aligning actions with team and organizational goals

Is committed to LIFT’s mission and demonstrates LIFT’s values: We let brilliance shine; We root change in learning; We build deep relationships; We strive for social justice; We create thriving environments .

LIFT’S COMPETENCIES

All LIFT employees embrace and demonstrate our organization-wide core competencies:

Communication: You share information with relevant parties in a clear and timely manner; effectively engage with and present to others; and write and verbally communicate in a manner that conveys understanding of relevant information and issues.

Accountability: You take responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and achieve results with appropriate levels of oversight. You receive feedback in a constructive manner.

Inclusiveness: You help create a work environment that appreciates diversity and encourages equity by treating others with respect, listening to, and demonstrating appreciation for others’ pers