Development Director

ECOLOGY CENTER BACKGROUND

The Ecology Center’s mission is to inspire and build a sustainable, healthy, and just future for the East Bay, California, and beyond. The Ecology Center transforms the ideas of sustainability into everyday practice. We offer information you can act on, infrastructure you can count on, and leadership for lasting change. We are working toward a world of resilient communities, zero waste and toxics, equal access to healthy food, sustainable resource use, and a safe and stable climate.

Founded in the run-up to the first Earth Day in 1970, the Ecology Center has been a regional and national leader on a wide range of issues, turning vision into action and cementing it with advocacy. We operate the nation’s first and longest-running curbside recycling service, nationally recognized food and farming programs, and model education and engagement and youth development activities. 

The Ecology Center is a membership organization built on direct services, strong community connections, face-to-face client engagement, online communications, solid administration, and deep organizational relationships. We have a robust social enterprise approach to our services and combine that with philanthropic support to maintain and advance our innovative programming and advocacy.

We are a committed and diverse staff dedicated to making the world a better place through action. Every employee is integral to the success of our organization. We value vision, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. If you are passionate, talented, and qualified, we encourage you to apply to be part of our team.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR ROLE

The Ecology Center seeks an experienced non-profit leader to envision and build its fundraising and communications capacity. This key position is a central part of the organization’s  Leadership Team, working together with the Board to develop and advance internal and external strategic organizational goals and priorities. With strategic goals of integrating external communications and fundraising functions, the Ecology Center has begun a process of building a Development Department that leverages our community engagement, services, and visibility to more successfully advance our individual, institutional, government, and other fundraising.  

Working collaboratively with our Leadership Team, Executive Director, and Board, the Development Director, leads the organization to develop fundraising success, growth, and diversification. Working in collaboration with the Board and Executive Director and across programs and departments, the Development Director develops and executes an annual individual giving plan. Working in partnership with Program Directors, the Financial Director, and other program staff, the Development Director manages the foundation and government grants submissions and reporting. Supervising the communications and events coordinators, the Development Director oversees the development and execution of the annual communications and events plans, including marketing for the store and farmers markets, press and earned media efforts, member and other external organizational communications.

A successful candidate will have at least five years of progressive experience in non-profit fundraising, with demonstrated successes in individual giving and foundation fundraising and strong external communications capabilities. They will be a team player and successful collaborator, an experienced and supportive supervisor, a results-oriented leader, and a visionary thinker and detailed executor who can translate ideas into action, strategy into success. Like our other staff and board, they will have the highest professional and ethical standards and are have deep social justice, racial equity, and environmental values.

KEY ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Work with Executive Director, Board, and Leadership Team to drive organizational fundraising  Participate in organizational strategic planning and annual budget planning processes Participate in broader organizational leadership through Leadership Team  Develop and execute significant acquisition, cultivation, retention, and elevation strategies for individual giving Plan end execute ongoing major donor strategies and an annual calendar of fundraising events Research, engage, and cultivate foundation funders and corporate sponsors in alignment with organizational values and priorities Lead organizational Marketing and Communication plans and strategies including public relations, media relations, social media, and other digital communications, key messaging, and storytelling Provide leadership and support for the Development Team members including Events Coordinator, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, and Administrative & Volunteer Coordinator

 QUALIFICATIONS

We are seeking a seasoned, dedicated, and ambitious self-starter with strong leadership and management skills. This is a senior position that will also engage in long-term strategic visioning and planning. This position requires an exceptional capacity for teamwork as well as the ability to be self-directed. In addition, qualified candidates will have the following:

• Proven management experience in a non-profit environment
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and membership development Demonstrated success raising funds and cultivating relationships across multiple diverse communities Demonstrated cultural competency engaging individuals of high net worth  Demonstrated success in grant writing and foundation fundraising Demonstrated success with communications and marketing  Deep understanding of CRM and related tools. Salesforce, Constant Contact, and Eventbrite  preferably in a Mac environment  General knowledge of and a strong commitment to environmental and social justices issues and values and how environmental issues intersect with racism, economic inequality, sexism, homophobia, and other injustices Experience in developing and managing complex budgets Exceptional written and verbal communication skills Demonstrated skills in developing social and digital media strategies, with successful online giving cultivation experience A proactive worker who has excellent interpersonal and communication skills Management professional who pays attention to both detail and bigger picture goals  Hard-working, and “Can Do” attitude  Flexible, responsive, and able to manage diverse priorities

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in marketing, communications, or related field Graduate-level or non-profit educational credentials a plus
• Minimum 5 years progressive non-profit development experience required
• Other non-profit management and fundraising training a plus

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Competitive annual salary (annual range $87,000 to $100,000 DOE) plus benefits including full medical and dental insurance, vacation & holiday leave, employer-matched 401k plan

HOW TO APPLY

1. Complete job application found at www.ecologycenter.org/jobs/ Send completed application, resume, writing sample, and cover letter to hiring@ecologycenter.org. Please add “Development Director” in the email subject line.

DEADLINE TO APPLY:

Open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

We value diversity. People of color, people LGBTQIA-identified, women, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. EOE/AA.