Head of Development (Remote)

Development Director - Northern CaliforniaSan Francisco Bay AreaAbout The Position The Development Director is part of a team of fundraisers and relationship builders working together to support Playworks' strategic growth plan. Reporting directly to the Executive Director in Northern California, the Director creatively develops, leads and drives ambitious fundraising strategy, board management in close partnership with the Executive Director, and new fundraising generation. As a trusted advisor and strategic thought partner to the ED, the Director is a senior leader in the region who catalyzes regional growth as a resource mobilizer, elevates the Playworks brand, as a fundraising and external relations expert, and as a savvy people leader and relationship builder. This role is an in-person role responsible for conducting in-person meetings and site visits across the Bay Area, based primarily in our Oakland offices.Deliver on a comprehensive development plan for FY26 with a private revenue goal of $1 million and support current local government fundraising sources $1.3MPersonally manages a high-level portfolio of major individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations (existing and prospective), driving cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to secure six- and seven-figure gifts and achieve personal fundraising targets.Drive regional external relations and local brand:Develop a comprehensive communications and public relations plan to help elevate the Playworks brandBuilding external relationships is essential for donor cultivation, prospect identification, and partnership opportunities in the education and literacy sectors.Oversee all external communications, ensuring persuasive and compelling messaging, campaigns, and alignmentOversee the strategy and support in cultivating and stewarding individual donorsManage relationships with institutional donors, including corporate and entertainment alignmentsStaff and provide strategic support to the board through management of Fundraising and Engagement, and Corporate committeesEnsure systems and operations of the development department, optimizing efficiencies and skillsProvide strategic advice and direction to the Executive Director to ensure the region's success against goals and benchmarksHow you'll do it:Strategy DevelopmentDemonstrate an ability to devise innovative regional strategic fundraising plans, create action steps, and mobilize many stakeholders to achieve fundraising goals (ie event best practices and innovation). Execute work in a highly organized, analytical, and data-informed manner.Work with the Executive Director to provide best in class cultivation and activation strategies to move all prospects through pipeline moves management from research/ prospecting to close.Serve as an ambassador of Playworks. Develop strategic corporate partnerships.Create compelling external materials and collateral. Develop and lead on social media strategies and content generation.New Revenue GenerationDemonstrate a strong track record in driving development efforts in rapidly growing organizations, particularly in Northern California. Show a strong hunger and drive to not only drive strategy internally but also to heavily participate in external relationship building and fundraising.Lead the strategy, development, and execution of innovative fundraising events that generate new revenue, deepen community engagement, expand Playworks' network of supporters, and achieve annual fundraising goals.In close partnership with the Executive Director, recruit, cultivate, and co-lead our 14-member Regional Advisory Board and 8-10 member Associate Board, ensuring achievement of annual give-get goals averaging $15,000 per member/board annually, while providing strategic support to Fundraising & Engagement and Corporate committees.You'll be successful in this role if you:Have 5+ years of increasing responsibility in a development or related role, including 3 years of team management or leadershipDemonstrate a strong track record in driving development efforts in rapidly growing mission-oriented organizations, particularly in the San Francisco Bay AreaCan demonstrate the ability to maintain strong long-term donor relationshipsHave experience reading, interpreting, and providing financial reports for donorsAre an exceptional and persuasive communicator in writing and verballyAre achievement-oriented and have a demonstrated track record of achieving aggressive fundraising goals; Bonus points if you:Have experience working in launch or growth phases of organizationsHave a bachelor's or master's degree in business, public administration, or a comparable fieldHave a high degree of comfort with Salesforce or other fundraising databaseHave experience working in education or literacyThe other things you need to know:This role is an in-person role responsible for conducting in-person meetings and site visits across the Bay Area, with flexibility for remote work when not engaged in field activities, based primarily in our Oakland or San Francisco offices.Travel: This position travels regularly throughout Northern California. This position may also involve occasional travel to Playworks' National Headquarters in Oakland, CA.This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Executive Director.At Playworks, our starting salary takes into consideration internal pay equity, geographic pay differential, and robust external market data. We highly value transparency and equity within compensation and, therefore, are committed to adhering to established compensation pay points. A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) plans with employer match of up to 3% of salary, life insurance, employee-funded pre-tax health, and child care spending accounts.Generous Flexible PTO policy with paid sick and holiday leave.This is a hands-on, creative, playful, and fun-loving place to work, all while contributing to the success of our nation's youth.