Senior Director of Development

CalMatters

Senior Development Director leading development strategies for nonprofit CalMatters, managing donor relations and team performance. Engaging with key stakeholders to meet strategic goals.

Posted 4/29/2026full-timeRemote • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $155,000 - $170,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy for foundations, major donors and mid-level giving that aligns with organizational goals
Supervise and mentor development directors and the development manager
Oversee major gift initiatives, cultivate relationships with key donors and funders, and manage donor event strategy
Work closely with the editorial and product departments to align development efforts with organizational programs
Build and monitor an annual revenue budget using Salesforce
Identify, research, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors and foundations
Develop a donor communications plan and lead the creation of compelling fundraising materials
Plan fundraising and engagement events
Manage development processes and systems including recordkeeping and grant reporting
Lead a high-performing development team to achieve organizational revenue goals

Requirements

What you’ll need

Five or more years in development roles at a senior management level
Proven track record of leading successful development initiatives and creatively engaging donors and funders
Experience leading a high-functioning development team of three or more people
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage a variety of stakeholders and work collaboratively across teams
Familiarity with nonprofit media and journalism fundraising is a plus
Ability to stay focused, highly organized, pay close attention to details and produce reliable results
Adaptable and able to work in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment
Be based in California with the ability to occasionally travel

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical, dental and vision insurance — we cover 95% of the cost for employees and dependents
paid family leave
401(k) matching of up to 4% of your salary
life insurance at no cost

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

development strategymajor gift initiativesdonor communications planfundraising materialsrecordkeepinggrant reportingbudget managementprospective donor researchevent planning

Soft Skills

leadershipmentoringcommunicationinterpersonal skillscollaborationorganizational skillsattention to detailadaptabilityfocus