Classification: Full-Time, Exempt Position reporting to the Executive Director
Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch & Gardens is a 7.5-acre historic site with a ranch house (constructed/expanded c. 1800-1933), nationally significant gardens, a barnyard area with livestock, a visitor center, and a research archive. The site has been continuously occupied for more than 7,000 years, beginning with the Indigenous Tongva people. The site’s history and the lives of its varied owners and occupants make it a fitting metaphor for the Southern California experience. The Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation operates the site in a public-private partnership with the City of Long Beach.
Compensation: $85,00 to $105,000 annually. Benefits include health care, retirement program, and paid holidays, sick, and vacation.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Director of Development is a member of the leadership team, responsible for growing and sustaining the organization financially through fundraising and community relations. This includes but is not limited to annual appeals, major gift solicitation, grant writing, planned giving, membership, and event planning. An integral part of the position is the targeted and effective outreach and communications with stakeholder groups and existing and potential donors.
Duties and responsibilities include
- In collaboration with the Executive Director, construct an Annual Development Plan that identifies short and long-range goals and specific and measurable strategies for accomplishing these goals;
- Implement and/or oversee tasks noted in the Plan, that include donor segmentation, objectives for individual, corporate, and institutional fundraising and success metrics, identification of staff, volunteers and board members who will be involved in fundraising and effective management of these participants;
- Develop relationships with board members, volunteers, donors and community members who can generate revenue and support of Rancho events and programs, and support their achievement;
- Grant writing – develop a grant submission plan based on giving priorities of private foundations, various government levels and corporations. Oversee the submission of proposals for operating support and capital projects; ensure adherence to grant and restricted giving agreements; establish clear standards for institutional sponsorship, including the proper use of logos, brands, naming and other recognition opportunities;
- Event management – Develop and oversee events and opportunities to cultivate donor prospects and build and grow a donor base.
- Membership – with the aid of administrative staff, oversee and develop the site’s membership program, recruit and sustain membership.
- Community and public relations – interface with community groups and targeted audiences to develop positive relationships that benefit Rancho Los Alamitos.
- Planned giving – track progress on legacy and bequest gifts. Encourage and facilitate planned gifts.
- Database and financial controls – work with financial and administrative staff to ensure that donor records are accurate and up-to-date. Prepare reports for the board and executive staff on progress toward goals.
- Work with the board to identify and train candidates who can assist in fund generation efforts.
This job announcement is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position.
Qualifications
- BA/BS and/or equivalent experience required, master’s degree preferred.
- Demonstrated outstanding written and verbal communication skills and the ability to write clearly and persuasively.
- A proven track record of achieving annual targeted revenue goals.
- Experienced and comfortable working with senior executives and board members.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously with thoroughness, accuracy, timeliness, professionalism, and a positive outlook.
- Strong event planning skills (particularly for the Cottonwood Luncheon) and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to articulate an organization’s unique value proposition powerfully and succinctly, and adapt this case for support to corporations, private foundations, family foundations, and other philanthropic audiences.
- Ability to prepare and implement a development plan, prepare and manage budgets and prepare accurate financial reports.
- Strong computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office programs, as well as fund development software (DonorPerfect and GiveCloud a plus).
- Familiarity with effectiveness of social media platforms as an aid to visibility/fundraising.
- Knowledge of the Long Beach, Los Angeles and Orange County donor markets is a distinct advantage.
- Offer of employment may be contingent on satisfactory results of a criminal history background check and legal permission to work in the United States.
Working conditions
Position may be required to sit or stand for extended periods, move objects up to 25 pounds, operate office equipment, open and close filing cabinets and boxes, observe visitors, and communicate messages by email, telephone and video conferencing. Ability to work nights and weekends as needed for events, donor meetings and Board meetings. Some hybrid scheduling may be possible, but the Director must be available for necessary donor visits and events.
Rancho Los Alamitos is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic team committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. We strongly encourage applications from people of color and other groups traditionally under-represented in outdoor education. Rancho Los Alamitos is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, national origin, disability status, age, or veteran status.