Jobs at CLCV: Development Director

Title: Development Director
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Employment Type: Full-time/Exempt
Salary: DOE
Position Location: Oakland or Los Angeles

The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV), a 501(c)(4) organization, is the political arm of California’s environmental community. CLCV is distinguished for its political influence: we support environmental candidates for state public office, work to pass strong environmental legislation, and rate the environmental performance of state legislators and the governor in our annual California Environmental Scorecard. For more information, please visit www.ecovote.org.

CLCV Education Fund, CLCV’s 501(c)(3) sister organization, protects California’s natural resources and improves the health of our communities. For more information, please visit www.clcvedfund.org.

Description:

We are seeking experienced candidates for an exciting opportunity on the leadership team of one of the nation’s leading statewide grassroots environmental political action organizations. This important role will lead our efforts to build on a 40-year history of donors supporting California’s environmental leadership, climate change, clean energy, environmental justice, and protecting our state’s exceptional natural resources.

This position calls for a fundraising expert with a demonstrated ability to raise $3 million in combined funding for the 501(c)3 and (c)4 organizations. The candidate must be a dynamic individual with exceptional leadership and staff management skills. This person should be comfortable building a stable and growing funding base of individuals, foundations, corporate supporters, and nonprofit partners through major gifts, membership, fundraising events, planned gifts, and grants. The Development Director will define annual revenue goals for major donors and membership, work with the CEO and Board in achieving those fundraising goals, manage revenue and cash reporting, increase donor engagement, and steward long-term supporters. 

In addition, the Development Director will lead a strong Major Gifts program, developing strategic and targeted giving opportunities to inspire major donors towards increased giving in support of the CLCV mission and working closely with two Development Managers and the Communications team to acquire new members and build a robust major donor pipeline. In partnership with the CEO, Political Director, and Board, the Development Director will manage, cultivate, steward, and solicit an active portfolio of approximately 200 donors and prospective donors who give, or have the potential to give, $5,000 or more.

This position will be based either in Oakland or Los Angeles. The Development Director will supervise four fundraising and development operations staff based in Oakland and Los Angeles and will work closely with the CEO and other executive team members.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Secure 501(c)3 and (c)4 revenue goals each year ($3M combined), develop realistic budgets, project cash flow, and report on weekly revenue.
• Supervise four staff involved in individual donors, development operations, and events, as well as vendors/consultants assisting with grants and membership. Mentor two major donor officers in building their fundraising skills.
• Work closely with the CEO and CFO to track revenue. Manage all major donor solicitations so that gifts budgeted are received within the period expected.
• Build and maintain relationships with major donors who give $1,500+. Manage portfolio of high-level donors and prospects. Create stewardship, cultivation, and solicitation strategies; engage key Board and staff, as appropriate, in donor relationships.
• Coordinate donor meetings by the CEO and Political Director, who will each serve as primary contact for approximately 25 principal gift donors giving $10,000+.
• Fully engage members of the CLCV and CLCV Ed Fund Boards in fundraising activities. Serve as liaison to the Development Chair and Committee, and provide all Board members with the tools, knowledge, and personal interaction to become active partners in achieving development goals.
• Supervise the Development Managers to: engage pipeline major donors giving $500-$5,000/year; plan and implement at least two fundraising events each year; host at least four major donor stewardship events each year; create other programs to steward donors and attract new prospects; and track fundraising metrics, including donor contacts, meetings, and solicitations. 
• Supervise the Data Services Manager to ensure prompt, accurate entry of gift and donor activity in Raiser’s Edge and prompt gift acknowledgment, coordinate lists for membership appeals, and create accurate reports that inform and prioritize fundraising activities for donor acquisition, solicitation and stewardship.
• Supervise grants management process and a contract grantwriter for timely submission of grants, reports and other documents to assure compliance and good relationships with agencies and foundations. Build a robust pipeline of grants for the 501(c)3 CLCV Ed Fund. Work closely with the Ed Fund staff to gather content for proposals and reports.
• Work collaboratively with the CEO and Communications team on creating fundraising collateral materials, and other print and online publications designed to support fundraising efforts and activities within the goals of the strategic plan.
• Regularly evaluate internal systems and procedures for efficiency and effectiveness. Ensure that the department complies with all relevant policies and regulations set forth by the IRS, Board and CEO.
• Build a culture for philanthropy, internally and externally, that will attract staff, board members and donors to the organization, and inspire excellence in donor relations and fundraising.

Required Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess all of the following skills and expertise:

• Minimum five years nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated mastery of a wide range of donor engagement and solicitation strategies.
• Tangible successes in major gift fundraising, event planning, membership, donor communications, and staff management.
• Success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors for 6-figure gifts.
• Superior interpersonal, oral, and written communication, and presentation and public speaking skills, with the ability to represent CLCV’s mission and interests to a diverse group of individuals and audiences.
• High energy, results-oriented leader with personal initiative and a sense of humor. Friendly, outgoing, and collaborative approach to foster a strong team-oriented style.
• Exceptional project management skills, including prioritizing, designing, implementing, and tracking multiple campaigns and programs.
• Excellent problem solving, research, and analytical skills. Agile and able to work in a fast-paced and sometimes unpredictable environment.
• Knowledge of database management systems and moves management principles, including Raiser's Edge or similar software.
• Personal passion for preserving and protecting our state’s natural resources with a belief in the mission, principles, and values of CLCV’s approach to conservation and political advocacy.
• Unquestioned integrity, professional demeanor, and authenticity in building relationships with, and inspiring best effort from, staff, donors, and partners.
• Willingness to travel, mostly within California, and to work evening events.
• Bachelor's degree or comparable experience.

Management:

• Manage and motivate a team towards the completion of fundraising goals and activities outlined in the 5-year strategic plan and annual work plans.
• Oversee daily operations of the development team. Inspire best effort, ownership, and accountability in peers and direct reports.

Desired Qualifications:

Candidates with the experience below will be an especially good fit:

• Familiarity with political advocacy, 501(c)3, and 501(c)4 organizations.
• Experience managing remote staff. (CLCV Development staff work in Los Angeles and Oakland.)
• Demonstrated success in working with Boards and committees.
• Flexibility and creativity to capitalize on donor messaging opportunities in an ever-changing political climate.

To Apply:

Send cover letter, resume, and salary requirements and tell us how you found this posting to CLCVJobs@ecovote.org. Please write “Development Director” in the subject line. The position is open until filled. No phone calls please.

The California League of Conservation Voters and CLCV Education Fund are committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We offer competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a pleasant working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience.