Senior Director, Development, West Region

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Sr. Director, Development, West Region

Reporting To: Executive Director, West Region

Location: Southern California location strongly preferred (Hybrid)

Status: Full Time;Exempt

Salary Range*: $145,000 - $160,000 (M4/B10)

Facing History & Ourselves is a global education non-profit organization that challenges teachers and students to use lessons of history to stand up to racism, antisemitism, and other forms of bigotry and hate.

The Senior Director, Development, West (“SDD”) is a senior development leader for Facing History & Ourselves’ West region, responsible for owning and executing an integrated, multi-state, multi-market fundraising plan that achieves the region’s annual and long-term revenue goals. Reporting to the Executive Director, West (“ED”), the SDD leads regional fundraising across individual giving, institutional giving, events and donor engagement, and development operations.

The SDD leads the West development team, maintains a focused portfolio of high-value donors and prospects, and partners with the ED to engage the West Region Advisory Boards in advancing regional fundraising priorities. The role requires a proven ability to lead high-performing development teams, integrate multiple fundraising functions, and drive revenue growth across distinct philanthropic markets.

Who You Are:

You are passionate about the power of education to shape the future by nurturing empathy, curiosity and civic responsibility in young people. You are a proven leader with experience raising significant funds from individuals, foundations, and corporations. You value humility, excellence, empathy, learning, and feedback, as well as a sense of sharing ownership, keeping things simple, and pursuing big goals. You are a thoughtful and authentic relationship builder, and approach fundraising through an analytical and data-driven lens. You are well-organized, action oriented, and manage up/down/across to remove bottlenecks and foster collaboration.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Multi-State, Multi-Market Development Leadership

• Own the design and execution of the West region’s annual and multi-year development plan, in alignment with the strategy, priorities, and revenue goals established by the Executive Director and organizational leadership.

• Lead an integrated development program across multiple states and distinct philanthropic markets.

• Drive performance across the full range of regional development functions, including individual giving, institutional giving, events and donor engagement, and development operations.

• Establish and maintain rigorous revenue forecasting, pipeline and portfolio management, and reporting practices that provide clear visibility into progress toward goals.

• Translate national development strategies, campaigns, systems, and initiatives into effective regional execution.

• Use data and market intelligence to evaluate results, allocate team capacity, and adjust strategies to maximize revenue.

Team Leadership & Accountability

• Lead a high-performing, four-member regional development team in meeting and exceeding revenue goals.

• Directly manage the Major Gifts Officer, Associate Director, Donor Experiences & Engagement, and (to be hired) Sr. Major Gifts Officer, establishing clear goals, performance expectations, and accountability for results.

• Ensure effective management and deployment of the Development Assistant through the Associate Director, Donor Experiences & Engagement.

• Partner closely with the matrixed Grant Writer supporting the West region to deliver high-quality proposals, reports, and other fundraising materials.

• Create strong integration across development functions to reinforce a unified donor strategy.

• Develop staff as fundraisers and relationship managers through coaching, goal setting, performance management, and regular review of portfolios and pipelines.

• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, disciplined execution, and continuous improvement across the regional development team.

Advisory Board Leadership & Activation

• In partnership with the Executive Director, West, lead the day-to-day engagement and activation of Facing History’s Northern California and Southern California Advisory Boards.

• Translate regional fundraising priorities into clear opportunities for Advisory Board members to engage and support.

• Partner with the Executive Director, West on Advisory Board strategy, composition, and recruitment.

• Equip Advisory Board members with the information, tools, and support necessary to serve effectively as ambassadors and fundraising partners for Facing History.

Portfolio & Pipeline Management

• Maintain and grow a focused portfolio of approximately 40-50 high-value donors and prospects.

• Personally solicit and close significant gifts in support of regional and organizational priorities.

• Support the Executive Director, Chief Development Officer, CEO, and other senior leaders in cultivating and soliciting the region’s highest-capacity donors and prospects.

Essential Skills and Qualities:

Facing History understands that restrictive job requirements may exclude historically marginalized groups from applying to jobs for which they are qualified. We take an equitable and holistic screening approach. If you feel you have demonstrated experience and expertise relevant to perform this role, please don’t hesitate to apply!

• 10+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, including senior-level responsibility for meeting or exceeding annual revenue goals and growth initiatives.

• 5+ years of team management experience.

• Experience leading through a matrixed organizational structure and successfully coordinating work with colleagues who are not direct reports.

• Proven experience developing and executing fundraising strategy across multiple geographic markets, ideally including responsibility for a multi-state or comparably complex region.

• Demonstrated success leading an integrated development program spanning multiple fundraising functions, including major and individual giving, institutional giving, events and donor engagement, and development operations.

• Track record of personally cultivating, soliciting, and closing 6+ figure gifts.

• Experience working with volunteer leadership bodies, boards, and/or advisory boards to advance fundraising and donor engagement.

• Excellent relationship management, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with donors, volunteers, executive leaders, program colleagues, and development professionals.

• Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout California and the broader Western US.

Benefits Summary: In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, Facing History provides an excellent and competitive compensation and benefits package including medical with a fully employer-sponsored health reimbursement account (HRA), dental, vision, life & AD&D, long-term & short-term disability insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with a discretionary organizational contribution, generous paid time off, an employee assistance program, travel assistance plan, pre-tax commuter spending accounts, flexible spending accounts, voluntary Colonial Life group plans, robust wellness programs through aHealthyMe, an employee discounted marketplace through BenefitHub, weekly virtual yoga and meditation, 403(b) advisement, and a friendly work environment.

Facing History values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Our Commitment to Inclusion. Our strength as an organization is directly tied to the diversity of our staff, leadership, educators, students, scholars, and volunteers. We strongly encourage each member of our community to be intentional and self-reflective in their attitudes toward others. This intentionality not only makes for a safer, happier, and more vibrant workplace, but it reflects the ethical framework of the content we produce for teachers and students. Our continued dedication to an inclusive work environment includes facilitating group learning journeys throughout the year and making space for optional employee resource groups. Together we show grace and support to ourselves and our colleagues so that we can all contribute in ways which are meaningful and rewarding.

Remote-first/Hybrid Work Model (Hybrid): Facing History & Ourselves operates under a remote-first/hybrid work model. This position is attached to the West region and requires in-person and in-office work as needed, but will otherwise work from home, though you may access an office work space whenever needed.

* We strive to offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience in a similar position. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary range between the minimum and midpoint depending on experience and in alignment with internal parity.