Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships

JOB OPPORTUNITY

The Volunteer Center South Bay/Harbor/Long Beach (hereinafter referred to as the "Volunteer Center") is seeking an experienced and relationship-driven Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships to lead and grow our fundraising and partnership efforts at a pivotal moment in our organization’s history. As we celebrate 63 years of service and enter a new strategic phase, this role will be central to ensuring the financial health and community visibility of the Volunteer Center.

Reporting directly to the President/CEO, the Director will own the organization’s development pipeline, major gifts cultivation, corporate partnership program, and external-facing communications. This is a senior leadership role for someone who brings both strategic vision and a hands-on approach to building lasting relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners while positioning the Volunteer Center as the region's leading resource for volunteerism, civic engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.

ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER CENTER

For more than 60 years, the Volunteer Center has brought people, organizations, and communities together to address our region's most pressing needs. From youth development and food security to court-referred community service and community engagement, we believe volunteerism is not simply a means to an end—but the end itself for building stronger, more connected communities.

Today, the Volunteer Center serves as both a direct service provider and a community convener, working alongside nonprofit organizations, schools, businesses, government agencies, and faith communities to mobilize volunteers, strengthen partnerships, and expand opportunities for civic engagement throughout the South Bay, Harbor, and Long Beach region.

As the organization enters its next strategic chapter, we are focused on growing our impact and expanding cross-sector partnerships. The Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships will play a central role in ensuring the organization has diversified and sustainable resources to serve future generations.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fund Development & Donor Stewardship

Drive the organization’s fundraising strategy with a focus on building a sustainable, diversified donor base. Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual giving, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, special events, and strategic community relationships.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual fund development plan aligned with organizational goals and budget targets
• Lead the planning and execution of the organization's annual fundraising gala and other strategic fundraising events in collaboration with staff, volunteers, sponsors, and the Board.
• Manage a portfolio of individual donor relationships through the full donor cycle: identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Establish and formalize the organization’s major gifts program, including defining gift thresholds, donor tiering, and recognition structures
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, sustaining and deepening their engagement with the Volunteer Center’s mission
• Ensure accurate and timely donor records, gift processing, and acknowledgment through the organization’s donor database

Corporate & Strategic Partnerships

Build and manage a robust corporate partnership program that generates meaningful revenue and deepens the organization’s presence among South Bay/Harbor/Long Beach businesses and civic institutions.

• Conduct a full audit of existing corporate relationships and develop tiered partnership packages with defined benefits and investment levels
• Review, cultivate, and expand relationships with current corporate partners, ensuring strong stewardship and high retention
• Identify and pursue new corporate sponsors, community investors, and cause-marketing opportunities aligned with the Volunteer Center’s mission and programs
• Develop compelling sponsorship proposals, impact reports, and partnership activations that demonstrate measurable value to corporate partners
• Represent the Volunteer Center at local business, civic, and community events to build visibility and pipeline
• Collaborate with program staff to connect corporate partners with meaningful volunteer and program engagement opportunities

Major Gifts

In partnership with the President/CEO, develop and lead a dedicated major gifts effort that cultivates transformational philanthropic relationships.

• Establish a formal major gifts program including prospect identification criteria, cultivation strategies, and a moves management process
• In partnership with the President/CEO, manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors by coordinating cultivation strategies, preparing briefing materials and tailored proposals, and supporting donor meetings, site visits, and solicitations.
• Begin laying the groundwork for a planned and legacy giving program as a longer-term organizational priority

External Communications & Visibility

Own the Volunteer Center’s external-facing communications, ensuring donors, sponsors, and the broader public experience a consistent, compelling, and mission-driven organizational brand.

• Develop and lead execution of an annual communications calendar covering donor newsletters, campaign messaging, sponsor communications, and event promotions
• Author and oversee donor-facing content including appeal letters, annual reports, impact stories, and acknowledgment materials
• Grow the organization’s social media presence with a focus on mission storytelling, donor recognition, program visibility, and community engagement, with a target of meaningful year-over-year audience growth
• Partner with the Vice President on program-facing and internal communications, ensuring alignment and a consistent organizational voice
• Ensure the organization’s web presence reflects current programs, partnerships, and impact
• Support media relations and public visibility efforts in coordination with the President/CEO

Organizational Leadership & Collaboration

Serve as a senior leader and cross-functional partner across the organization, contributing to strategic planning and organizational effectiveness.

• Participate in senior leadership team meetings and contribute to organizational planning and decision-making
• Support Board engagement in fundraising and partnership efforts, including providing briefings, materials, and coaching for Board members
• Build and manage development-related systems and infrastructure, including database integrity, pipeline tracking, and reporting dashboards
• Represent the development function in budget planning, contributing revenue projections and fundraising cost analysis
• Manage vendors, consultants, or contractors engaged in support of communications and fundraising activities

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 7+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, with a track record of donor cultivation, stewardship, and securing philanthropic support
• Proven track record in corporate partnership development, including building new relationships and managing existing accounts
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling donor-facing narratives
• Proficiency with donor management/CRM systems (Salesforce or equivalent)
• Deep understanding of the nonprofit sector and issues impacting the Southern California community.
• Strong relationship-builder with the ability to engage authentically with donors, executives, community leaders, and board members
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and drive results in a lean organizational environment
• Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree a plus

Preferred

• Experience establishing or formalizing a major gifts or planned giving program
• Familiarity with corporate social responsibility programs and cause-marketing partnerships
• Experience managing or contributing to social media strategy and content creation for a nonprofit or mission-driven organization
• Existing relationships within the South Bay, Harbor, or Long Beach philanthropic and business communities