ABOUT THE POSITION, in the role of the Development Director (DD), you will have both internal and external facing responsibilities, primarily focused on leading the creation and execution of a comprehensive development strategy to ensure the required multi-regional fund development targets are met annually (approximately $2M and growing). In addition, the DD will lead the state-wide Development Community of Practice and hold responsibility to support all fundraising events across the California Hub, comprising two regions (Playworks Northern California and Southern California).
This role will report to the Hub Vice President of Field Operations (VP) but will work in partnership with the regional Executive Directors for Northern California and Southern California. The DD is responsible for overseeing three California development staff and grant consultant(s). As the development target expands there is potential for the team to do so as well. The DD will collaborate with development team members across the HUB and Playworks nationally, including the Chief Development Officer.
This full-time, exempt position will be based out of one of our regional metro areas of San Francisco Bay Area or Los Angeles greater area and will require some travel (less than 25%) within CA state.
Specifically, this role will have the following responsibilities:
Business Development & Sustainability:
- Create (in collaboration with regional leadership), direct, implement, and assess an annual development plan to ensure more than $2M in operating support is generated annually.
- Responsible for building and managing a foundation, corporate, government and individual donor pipeline that is three times the fundraising goal to achieve philanthropic and relationship management goals, including managing revenue projections.
- Oversee pipeline development for regional leaders with development staff support and support regional Executive Directors with portfolio reviews and moves management conversations.
- Lead responsible for researching, preparing and submitting assigned grant applications and funder reports working in concert with other regional staff and the hub-wide development team.
- Support Executive Directors to inform and lead strategy to scale development growth in current and new geographies across California over the next 3-5 years.
- Attend, assist and represent Playworks at various key fundraising events/functions, speaking engagements, tours, and other programs.
- Host or set regional leaders up to host program visits and seek new relationships in the philanthropic community.
Relationship Management:
- Lead as primary relationship manager for current and prospective philanthropic partners, including a portfolio of annual donors, and will help lead and execute growth strategies for other relationship managers as well (i.e. regional leaders, Development Manager, Development Associate, VP)
- Identify, cultivate, and deliver significant gifts from a diverse base of supporters (corporations, foundations, individuals) working in collaboration with the regional leader and Regional Boards. Personally secure and deliver significant gifts (four and five figures).
- Maintain and document in our database an active schedule of solicitations, cultivation visits, events and stewardship activities, etc.
- Develop and manage a dynamic portfolio of donors by strategically cultivating existing relationships for renewals and upgrades, while also identifying and engaging new philanthropic partners to secure new gifts.
- Manage relationships with a donor portfolio, including individual - actual and prospective - donors per year. Lead the region in diversifying our individual and corporate giving
- Maintain an active schedule of solicitations, cultivation visits, events and stewardship activities, etc.
Board Partnership & Development
- In collaboration with regional leadership, support the work of the regional boards and board members’ individual fundraising plans.
- Support/Manage the development committee within the regional boards and use the board for strategic gift solicitations.
Organizational Leadership & Staff Management
- Serve as a strategic thinking partner to regional and HUB leadership.
- Lead efforts to streamline regional and hub-wide development practices for efficiency and effectiveness.
- Oversee regional and hub progress against annual development goals and targets.
- Design, develop and drive the implementation of annual and multi-year strategies with regional leadership and state-wide Development Team to ensure revenue and fundraising targets are met.
- Oversee major donor stewardship for sponsors and donors at fundraising events , where applicable.
- Provide supervision, coaching, strategic guidance and regular feedback to CA development staff on prospect research, individual and major donor cultivation, stewardship and ask, with a practice of mentorship and respect for the skills, strengths, contributions and challenges of individual team members.
- Collaborate with regional staff to cultivate, develop and mobilize the Playworks network – stakeholders, volunteers, donors, etc.
- Participate in organization-wide development related projects alongside the Chief Development Officer and other hub and regional leaders.
Administration & Operations
- Manage the development, communications and events budget and work with regional leadership to develop monthly reports.
- Oversee Salesforce implementation and database troubleshooting with staff.
- Maintain accurate and timely records in Salesforce for the entire portfolio (grants, individuals, events, corporate partners, etc.)
- Ensure development operational functions run smoothly.
- Cultivate and steward the Playworks brand, ensuring consistent communications.
- Manage Development & Communications calendar alongside staff to ensure deadlines are met.
Required Skills & Experience
- At least 7 years of senior level experience or demonstrated growth and maintenance of a portfolio of at least $2M from various fundraising channels and development experience.
- Proven and demonstrable track record of success in meeting and exceeding development goals.
- Experience with direct solicitation required.
- The strongest candidate will have existing networks and demonstrate experience in at least one of the regional markets of the San Francisco Bay Area or greater Los Angeles.
- Experience leading, managing and growing staff in an innovative, entrepreneurial culture. At least 3 years direct supervisory experience.
- Outstanding written, oral communication, and presentation skills. Excellent grant/proposal writing and public speaking/oral presentation (for small and large groups) are essential skills.
- Able to interpret data and translate them into actionable insights that influence fundraising, marketing and communication plans.
- Demonstrated success working and driving for results with minimal supervision.
- Tech savvy and familiarity with donor management/engagement systems and online social networks. Advanced knowledge of Salesforce desired.
- Experience as a collaborative and innovative leader, with an understanding of strength-based organizational culture
- Flexibility and willingness to work nights and weekends and to travel, upon request.
- Access to reliable transportation and auto insurance required
What you’ll Bring:
- FUNDRAISING STRATEGY: Strong knowledge of effective fundraising strategies including grant seeking, individual donor cultivation, corporate employee volunteer programs and event production and state and local government funding. Ability to develop and implement overarching fundraising strategy, lead cultivation and stewardship of many high-level external relationships, and lead, develop, and mobilize a statewide development team to achieve ambitious fundraising goals and growth.
- RELATIONSHIP SKILLS: Advanced relationship management skills with demonstrated success in developing and maintaining relationships and partnership internally and externally. Strong interpersonal skills both in person and virtual/remote with demonstrated collaboration and facilitation skills.
- CURIOSITY: Leads with intellectual curiosity and ability to be self-reflective, seeking to understand, improve and develop skills and knowledge for self and others.
- TEAM BUILDING SKILLS: Passion for mentorship, growing a diverse team and culture through a unified approach and commitment to excellence. Fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation that thrives in times of change and growth.
- ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT: Build upon and generate new, creative campaigns that increase revenue, strengthen donor loyalty and attract/engage a broad donor base. Self-directed and Inspired by growth, seeing it not as a challenge but as an expansive field for impact.
- ADAPTABILITY: Flexibility to readily adapt to a changing environment. Combined with demonstrated problem solving skills, possess excellent planning and organization skills in order to effectively set priorities, implement strategies and solutions, manage multiple tasks and initiatives simultaneously and meet aggressive deadlines.
- COMMITMENT TO EQUITY: Understanding of Playworks’ Core Values and commitment to Playworks’ Equity Statement in alignment with a community centric fundraising strategic approach.
- ALIGNMENT WITH MISSION and ORGANIZATION: Passionate commitment to Playworks’ Mission and comfort with and enthusiasm for a playful workplace culture. Ability to successfully navigate and thrive in multi-layered organization (regional, statewide, nationwide).
Compensation & Benefits
Playworks offers the full package - great benefits, a fun place to work and an opportunity to grow professionally. We offer:
- This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Hub Vice President of Field Operations and is based in San Francisco Bay Area or Los Angeles metro regions.
- At Playworks, our starting salary takes into consideration internal pay equity, geographic pay differential and robust external market data. We highly value transparency and equity within compensation and therefore are committed to adhering to established compensation pay points. The starting salary for this position is $119,000.
- A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) plans with employer match of up to 1% of salary, life insurance, employee funded pre-tax health, and child care spending accounts.
- Generous Flexible PTO policy with paid sick and holiday leave
This is a hands-on, creative, playful and fun-loving place to work, all while contributing to the success of our nation’s youth. So if you're ready to immerse yourself in the education sector, working on a rewarding set of challenges and if you've got the skills, experience, passion, and a team spirit, apply!
Please include:
- A cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience has prepared you for this role.
- Resume.
- References will be requested.
ABOUT PLAYWORKS, at Playworks we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We are changing the school climate by leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school every day. We create a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills by partnering with schools, districts, and after-school programs through services including digital engagement, on-site coaches, professional training for school staff who support play, and consultative partnerships.
We are committed to racial equity, and we make a particular effort to recruit people of color, indigenous people, gender non-binary people, and people with historically more marginalized identities to apply for open positions. Our core values of cultivate play, center equity, continue learning and collaborate within communities are the foundation of our organization and are infused in all aspects of our work.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If that is you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself!
As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, faith, marital status, physical ability, or any other legally protected basis. Playworks evaluates all candidates for employment, volunteering opportunities or board service on a merit basis.
