Development Director

Job Description

Job Description

Development Director- JOB DESCRIPTION

Reports To: Executive Director
Supervises: Development Manager, Marketing Contractor
Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt

About Mesa

Founded in 2020, Mesa is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing homelessness among young adults age 18-24 in Ventura County. We provide transitional housing and trauma-informed supportive services to help participants stabilize their lives, gain independence, and develop the skills necessary for long-term success. Our holistic services help them to reach their goals in health, academic achievement, vocational skills, relationship building, community engagement - and to secure permanent housing. Our mission is to cultivate possibility for young adults facing homelessness. Mesa began serving participants on August 1st, 2024, and is currently home to 13 young adults.

Position Summary

The Development Director provides strategic leadership and hands-on execution of all fundraising efforts to sustain and grow Mesa’s mission and to achieve the annual fundraising revenue goals. This person is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive development strategy that includes individual giving, major gifts, government, corporate and foundation grants, sponsorships, events, planned giving, endowment, and donor stewardship. They work closely with the Executive Director, Board, staff, and volunteers to achieve long-term revenue growth and advance Mesa’s sustainability.

Primary Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership

• Develop, execute, and evaluate a comprehensive fundraising plan to meet fundraising revenue goals.
• Establish multi-year fundraising strategies with associated timelines.
• Collaborate with leadership on financial planning, forecasting, revenue diversification, and organizational priorities

Donor Cultivation, Stewardship, & Major Gifts

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts.
• Implement stewardship strategies to increase retention and lifetime giving.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to engage donors effectively.

Grants & Institutional Giving

• Develop a grant strategy, pipeline, and calendar to secure grants from foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Lead grant writing, proposal/LOI submission, and reporting with some grant writer support; partner with Finance Director on reporting.
• Build and steward relationships with program officers, fund representatives, and institutional partners.
• Track requirements, deliverables, and compliance across all awarded funds, coordinating with finance and programs.

Development Operations & Supervision

• Supervise the Development Manager in support of achieving the annual fundraising plan.
• Ensure accurate CRM use, forecasting, reporting, performance metrics, and donor data integrity.
• Provide reports and presentations to the Executive Director, Board, Board Committees, and others, as required.

Communications & Marketing Alignment

• Manage messaging and development of donor-facing materials, including appeals, event collaterals, digital campaigns, print and digital collaterals, and website content.
• Partner with marketing/communications staff to strengthen brand awareness and storytelling aligned with Mesa’s mission.

Events

• Lead all aspects of fundraising and cultivation events, including concept development, sponsorship strategy, and donor experience.
• Create strategy for events to ensure they advance donor pipeline priorities and contribute meaningfully to revenue and relationship goals.
• Recruit and lead events committees.

Board & Executive Engagement

• Provide development updates at Board meetings.
• Support Board member fundraising engagement and training.

Organizational Collaboration & Representation

• Partner across departments to align fundraising with programs, operations, and finance.
• Inspire a shared belief in philanthropy, equipping staff and Board to participate in fundraising.
• Represent Mesa at external events, speaking engagements, and networking opportunities.

Other

• Uphold Mesa’s values: integrity, excellence, equity, respect, kindness, collaboration.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• 10+ years nonprofit fundraising experience, including major gifts and grant writing (both foundation and government grants).
• Strategic thinking: Ability to develop and execute long-term fundraising plans and understand donor motivations. 
• Leadership: Experience managing teams, leading fundraising innovation, and building a strong organizational vision. Ability to inspire staff and volunteers.
• Data analysis: Proficiency in analyzing data to track trends, measure success, and inform strategy. 
• Excel Proficiency: ability to create, manage, track spreadsheets and complex data. 
• CRM experience (DonorPerfect, or similar).
• Financial acumen: Understanding financial principles and stewardship to manage the organization's resources and development budget effectively. 
• Exceptional communication: Ability to articulate a mission compellingly through written and verbal channels, including grant writing and public speaking. 
• Networking, stewardship and donor relations: Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including major donors, board members, and foundations. 
• Demonstrated track record of fundraising success, including securing major gifts, planned giving, and grants (both government and foundation).
• Minimum of Bachelor's degree.
• High ethical standards.

Preferred

• Experience with youth services, housing, or social impact programs.
• Familiarity with Ventura County philanthropic landscape.
• Experience working with Marketing teams or leading Marketing efforts

Physical Demands :

• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds for event setup and materials handling.
• Ability to sit for one hour, minimum.
• Visual and audio acuity.
• Occasional evening and weekend work is required for events and activities.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position is full-time, salaried, hybrid remote/office with at least 75% of hours on-site at Mesa. The role will require occasional evening or weekend work. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Salary : $100,000 – $115,000 annually based on experience
• Benefits :
• • 401k option without employer match
  • Health Insurance with 60% employer contribution to base plan (Anthem)
  • $50 Monthly Wellness Fringe Benefit reimbursement
  • $50 Monthly Cell Phone Reimbursement
  • 80 Hours PTO Annually (120 hour cap)
  • 40 hours sick pay
  • 11 paid holidays 
  • Employer-sponsored wellness and outdoor activities (e.g., yoga, hiking, meditation, access to farm and garden))

PREFERRED START DATE

As soon as possible

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your relevant experience, and three references.

Mesa is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage individuals with lived experience in foster care, homelessness, or other marginalized communities to apply. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Mesa is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law. We are dedicated to ensuring a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees.