Director of Development

Para Los Niños is seeking an experienced, results-oriented Director of Development. The Director will serve as a key member on the PLN External Affairs team reporting to the Managing Director (MD), External Affairs. The Director will be responsible for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual prospects. In partnership with the MD, the Director will be responsible for creating the comprehensive yearly fundraising plan consisting of a variety of solicitation methods including direct mail, social media, e-communications, and other creative uses of technology employed to increase total annual gift revenue. The Director is expected to work closely with the External Affairs team to strategically lead and manage relationships with individual donors, including working with the Director of Strategic Partnerships to engage volunteers and other external partners, as well as work with the External Affairs Associate to ensure effective administration of gifts through acknowledgement letters, pledge reminders, video updates, and donor recognition. Additionally, the Director will meet regularly with all departments across PLN to keep funders apprised of PLN’s work. As an ambassador for PLN, the Director will collaborate with the MD and the Vice President, External Affairs to strategically build and strengthen relationships within PLN’s donor base.

Duties and Responsibilities

Donor Management, Cultivation, and Stewardship

• Work with the MD and VP, External Affairs to strategize, set, communicate, and implement all plans, processes, and goals around institutional fundraising.
• Proactively identify, engage, and cultivate a robust pipeline of prospects that can make an annual investment, expanding donor pools at all levels.
• Maintain a portfolio of donors and prospects to meet annual revenue goals.
• Support events throughout the year that engage donors, including the annual benefit dinner, Reading Is Leading, Back-to-School Family Days, and more.
• Collaborate with Communications Team to develop a variety of collateral for existing and potential donors.
• Develops and refines planned giving and major gift activities, with the support and involvement of the CEO, VP External Affairs, and PLN Board.
• Ensure the successful stewardship of current donor relationships by managing appropriate frequency of outreach, communication, appreciation, and involvement.
• Prepare individual profiles, as needed, for meetings and outreach with prospective funders.
• Leverage existing PLN programs and events to meaningfully engage donors and prospects.
• Contribute to and participate in prospecting meetings and pipeline meetings. 

External Affairs Team Member 

• Participate in External Affairs Team meetings to ensure alignment in program operations and strategic program development.
• Participate in the ongoing development, evaluation, and implementation of operational and strategic plans.
• Serve as a Para Los Niños representative at local events and community functions. 
• Prepare reports for the Executive Team and Board of Directors as needed.
• Work with VP and MD as a strategic partner to increase PLN’s presence with external partners.
• Cultivate a climate that invites and motivates employees from diverse backgrounds, providing a platform for mutual feedback and team growth.
• Model and ensure an inclusive, welcoming, and inspiring organizational culture aligned with PLN’s values.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Our Expectations 

• Excellent organizational and project management skills with a high attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively implement and manage diverse strategies and activities.
• Strong creative thinking abilities and a willingness to learn.
• Ability to build collaborative working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization. and develop strong professional relationships and networks externally. 

Qualifications & Requirements

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform the job successfully.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum 6 years work experience in related field such as nonprofit management, fundraising, business administration, marketing, or communications or equivalent experience.
• Track record of achieving fundraising goals and driving revenue growth in a nonprofit organization.
• Exceptional written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing in order of importance. 
• A passion for the organization's mission and priority program areas.
• Understanding of DEIJB principles and practices to foster an inclusive fundraising. environment that values diversity, promotes equity, and respects cultural differences among donors and stakeholders.
• Experience working in and a sound understanding of a broad range of disciplines.
• Willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Demonstrate sound judgement in situations requiring independent decision-making and in handling highly confidential and sensitive material.
• Strong project management, leadership, organizational, and planning skills.
• The ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and general database management. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Advanced Degree (Master’s or higher).
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT, Gravyty, Rosterfy, and Guidestar.
• Leadership skills and supervisory experience.
• Fluent bilingual (English & Spanish).
• Experience within the nonprofit sector, particularly with the Los Angeles philanthropic landscape.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques to analyze fundraising performance, identify trends, and generate insights for strategic decision-making. Experience creating and presenting data-driven reports to stakeholders.
• Knowledge of digital fundraising strategies and tactics, including email marketing, social media fundraising, crowdfunding platforms, and online giving platforms. Experience leveraging digital channels to engage donors and drive online donations.
• Ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, empowering team members to contribute their ideas, skills, and perspectives to achieve shared goals. Experience promoting a culture of learning, growth, and continuous improvement within the development team. 

Physical Requirements   

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily.    

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.     

• Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand and bend.  
• Must be able to speak and hear well.    
• Good vision is imperative.    
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.    
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance .    

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff    

Candidates for employment at Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:   

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.  
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.  
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.  
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.  
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.  
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.  
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.  
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationships with families and children informed by the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.  
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.  
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.  
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.   

 Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer    

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.