(Senior) Director of Development

EdSource Job Opening

(Senior) Director of Development

About the Job

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: California-based remote, with preference for LA

ABOUT EDSOURCE

EdSource is California’s trusted source for independent, in-depth journalism on education. For nearly 50 years, we’ve helped Californians understand the issues shaping education—from early learning through higher education—and the policies that affect millions of students.

As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2027, EdSource is entering an exciting new chapter.

We are expanding our audience, investing in new products and partnerships, strengthening our journalism, and building a more diversified and sustainable philanthropic program to support our long-term growth.

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of a leading nonprofit news organization.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Development is EdSource’s fundraising leader, responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive philanthropic revenue strategy that advances the organization’s mission and long-term growth.

Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Senior Director of Development leads EdSource’s fundraising strategy across institutional giving, major gifts, individual giving and board engagement while building the systems and relationships needed to support the organization’s next phase of growth.

The Senior Director will hire and supervise a Development Associate and work closely with a part-time grant writer, allowing the role to focus on strategy, relationship development, and revenue growth.

A major priority for this position will be designing and leading EdSource’s 50th Anniversary Campaign (2027), creating a significant opportunity to deepen relationships with existing supporters while engaging new donors and partners. 

This is an opportunity to build.

Over the next several years, the Senior Director of Development will help shape the future of EdSource by:

• Building a best-in-class major donor program.
• Leading EdSource’s landmark 50th Anniversary Campaign.
• Expanding and diversifying philanthropic revenue.
• Developing a high-performing fundraising team.
• Helping position a respected nonprofit news organization for its next phase of growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Revenue Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual fundraising strategy aligned with EdSource’s strategic priorities.
• Build a diversified philanthropic revenue portfolio across foundations, major donors, individual giving and corporate support.
• Establish fundraising goals, key performance indicators and revenue forecasts.
• Identify new funding opportunities that support EdSource’s mission and strategic initiatives.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team on fundraising opportunities and organizational growth.

Major Gifts & Individual Giving

• Build and manage a portfolio of major donor prospects and supporters.
• Develop cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for individual donors.
• Partner closely with the CEO on donor strategy, including prospect identification, meeting preparation, solicitations and follow-up.
• Expand leadership giving, recurring giving and planned giving opportunities over time.
• Create meaningful donor experiences that build long-term engagement and investment in EdSource.

Institutional Giving

• Oversee EdSource’s foundation fundraising strategy and institutional relationships.
• Partner with the grant writer to develop compelling proposals and reports.
• Personally manage relationships with key institutional funders.
• Identify and cultivate new foundation and philanthropic partners.
• Ensure timely reporting, stewardship and compliance across the institutional portfolio.

50th Anniversary Campaign

• Lead planning and execution of EdSource’s 50th Anniversary fundraising campaign.
• Partner with the CEO, Board of Directors and senior leadership to develop campaign goals, messaging and fundraising strategies.
• Create donor engagement opportunities that celebrate EdSource’s impact while generating new philanthropic investment.
• Coordinate campaign activities across development, communications and audience teams.

Team Leadership & Development Operations

• Supervise, mentor and develop the Development Associate.
• Provide strategic direction to the part-time grant writer.
• Build efficient fundraising systems, workflows and performance metrics.
• Ensure excellence in donor stewardship, CRM management, online giving and fundraising operations.
• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven culture focused on continuous improvement.

Board & Executive Partnership

• Partner with the CEO to strengthen board engagement in fundraising.
• Support the Development Committee and prepare materials for board meetings.
• Coach board members on donor engagement and fundraising best practices.
• Represent EdSource with donors, foundations and community partners throughout California.

QUALIFICATIONS

We’re more interested in finding the right leader than someone who checks every box. Strong candidates will likely bring:

• Eight or more years of progressively responsible fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts and managing institutional fundraising.
• Experience building or growing fundraising programs rather than simply maintaining existing ones.
• Experience supervising staff and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong relationship-building skills and comfort working directly with donors, foundation leaders and board members.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Experience using donor databases and fundraising analytics to inform strategy.
• A collaborative leadership style with a willingness to roll up your sleeves in a small, entrepreneurial organization.

Experience in journalism or nonprofit media is welcome but is not required.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary range: $125,000–$150,000 , depending on experience.

EdSource offers a competitive benefits package, flexible remote work, generous paid time off and the opportunity to help strengthen education journalism across California.