Development Officer

Development Officer
West Covina, Calif. | Office/other


About Options for Learning


At Options for Learning, we partner with children, families, educators, and communities to create strong foundations for lifelong success. Since 1981, we have provided quality early learning and school-age programs, family support services, and child care resources designed to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.


Our work is rooted in relationships and guided by our values of integrity, compassion, respect, curiosity, and nurturing. These values shape how we support families, collaborate with one another, and respond to the changing needs of our communities every day.


Every interaction - whether with a family seeking guidance, a child entering a classroom, or a team member working behind the scenes - is an opportunity to create a positive and meaningful experience grounded in trust, empathy, and service.


Serving communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley, Whittier, Pomona Valley, and Northeast Los Angeles, our team is united by a shared commitment to continuous learning, strong partnerships, and helping children and families thrive.


At Options for Learning, employees are more than team members. They are trusted partners in work that makes a meaningful difference for children, families, and the communities we serve.


About this position


The development officer plays a critical role in supporting Options for Learning's growth and sustainability. This position works under the guidance of the business development manager and is responsible for supporting the planning, launch, and implementation of advancement initiatives. The role cultivates strategic partnerships and executes development strategies that support the expansion of funding streams while contributing to the growth and shaping of a newly expanding department.


The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong communication skills, exceptional relationship-building abilities, experience working with foundations, and a passion for community impact. We are looking for someone with a results-oriented mindset and a track record of achieving goals and driving impact;


What you'll be doing

• Collaborating with the business development manager to design and execute a comprehensive advancement plan that incorporates long-term capital campaigns and defined milestones to meet annual fundraising goals;
• Ensuring all activities align with broader organizational growth and sustainability objectives;
• Supporting long-term expansion plans and exploring funding for new service opportunities;
• Identifying and cultivating relationships with key stakeholders, including corporate partners, foundations, and community organizations;
• Developing and implementing individualized cultivation strategies for each stakeholder group, working from initial contact to expanding collaboration and funding opportunities;
• Maintaining accurate records of all stakeholder interactions, strategies, and next steps to report on partnership performance metrics;
• Collaborating with program leadership around existing partnership agreements and deepening new partner engagement;
• Assisting in relationship-building efforts and supporting internal coordination for partnership activities;
• Collaborating with the Communications and Marketing teams to develop funder-targeted impact messaging and lead follow-up engagement with prospective partners and stakeholders;
• Preparing reports summarizing grant activity, partnership performance, and advancement initiatives;
• Attending training;
• Performing other duties as assigned.

What you bring to the table

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, nonprofit management, communications, or a related field;
• Minimum of three years of experience in development within a nonprofit setting;
• Proven experience in building and maintaining strategic partnerships, including with foundations, preferably within the education or nonprofit sectors;
• Familiarity with nonprofit operations and advancement strategies;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders;
• Highly organized with excellent project management skills;
• Knowledge of child development, early childhood education, or related fields.

What we can offer you

• Medical/dental/vision for part- and full-time employees (organization pays up to 95% of employees' premiums; prorated for part-time);
• Organization-paid and matching retirement plan;
• Professional growth opportunities, including free child development courses and college reimbursement;
• Generous and flexible PTO;
• Organization-wide winter break;
• Dedicated, mission-driven colleagues, and much more!

Job specifications

• Reports to the business development manager;
• Exempt, full-time, year-round position;
• Eight-hour workday, four-day workweek;
• Hybrid work schedule with approval by management;
• Limited evening or weekend work may be required;
• Employment, responsibilities, compensation and other factors may be affected by changes in governmental regulations, the organization's contracts, or at the organization's discretion.

Salary

• $75,000 - $100,000 per year (candidates should anticipate receiving an offer within the first quartile of the salary range).