Development Director

As the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with T1D better while driving toward cures. We invest in the most promising research to turn ideas into life-changing therapies and devices. We work with government, regulatory officials, and insurance companies to address issues that impact the T1D community—breaking through barriers that limit access to care worldwide. We provide resources and guidance that make it easier to live and thrive with T1D. Our mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to treat, prevent, and ultimately cure T1D and its complications.

About the role

The Development Director (DD) at Breakthrough T1D is integral in the day-to-day execution of integrated fundraising efforts to support our organizational strategy and mission. This role focuses on relationship building with key donors and fundraising volunteers within an assigned event portfolio, driving impact and strengthening both donor and volunteer pipelines to increase revenue. The DD will lead the Orange County Gala and play an instrumental role in corporate development and mid-level giving for the chapter. This individual will have two direct reports and will work in a hybrid schedule, combining in-office, remote, and field work.

The Southern California and Hawaii territory is one of the top-performing regions in the country, with 18 staff, 3 Chapter Boards, and 13 events collectively driving over $10.1 million in total net revenue and $4.91 million in total event net revenue.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising & Engagement – 60%
  • Implement revenue and engagement plans to drive year-over-year growth in the chapter, including individual and corporate supporter growth within the assigned event portfolio.
  • Achieve personal and event-level revenue goals while supporting chapter-wide revenue and engagement targets.
  • Create and implement annual strategies to grow the assigned event portfolio through corporate and individual donor engagement and stewardship.
  • Identify and develop new business with existing donors and new prospects.
  • Develop and implement stewardship strategies for event supporters, ensuring timely and consistent execution.
  • Deploy tactics to drive foundation and pipeline-building activities for long-term organizational success.
  • Implement strategies to retain, acquire, and activate supporters to meet fundraising and participation goals.
  • Acquire, cultivate, and solicit mid- and major-level Fund A Cure donors.
  • Design, plan, and implement cultivation events to inspire and engage key donors and volunteers.
  • Develop audience development strategies to maximize giving, including table spend and activation.
  • Oversee and develop the Inland Empire Market, including identifying volunteer leaders, supporters, and donors to establish a fundraising event in the next fiscal year.
• Volunteer Management – 20%
  • Recruit, cultivate, and manage volunteer leaders to drive revenue as key partners, including event leadership and committees.
  • Ensure meaningful engagement of volunteers at all levels and maintain strong working relationships with key volunteer partners.
  • Partner with volunteer leadership to solicit funding from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other sources.
• Awareness – 10%
  • Support and maintain the vision, mission, and priorities of Breakthrough T1D.
  • Articulate the strategic direction and purpose of the organization.
  • Promote mission engagement opportunities in research, advocacy, community engagement, and clinical trials.
  • Represent Breakthrough T1D with professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to organizational standards.
• Administration and Management – 10%
  • Provide leadership, performance management, and professional development to direct reports.
  • Maintain departmental and organization-wide policies and procedures.
  • Develop expertise in fundraising management platforms.
  • Participate in monthly strategy meetings to monitor KPI progress, identify risks and opportunities, and ensure event success.
  • Partner annually with national program partners to establish budget and pipeline strategies for the event portfolio.

Requirements

• 5-7 years of fundraising experience in a complex, mission-driven organization with revenue responsibilities exceeding $750k.
• Experience working directly with or leading staff teams, particularly in large-scale events (e.g., walk, gala).
• Strong skills in donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Proven history in the signature events/gala space, including securing and retaining table hosts, guests, sponsors, and donors.
• Experience partnering with strong and active volunteer leaders and managing large networks of passionate volunteers.
• High emotional intelligence, active listening, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain an extensive network of strategic relationships (donors, volunteers, community partners) in the local area; existing knowledge and network in the territory preferred.
• Enthusiastic spokesperson and representative of Breakthrough T1D’s mission with strong communication skills to inspire others.
• Highly efficient in time management with the ability to meet deadlines under pressure.
• College degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to travel locally; evening and weekend work as needed.

Essential Functions

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Frequently required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and infrequently up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Pay

Target salary: $105,000 - $112,000.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan.
• Voluntary benefits, flexible spending, and commuter benefit accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Life and disability insurance.
• Performance-based bonuses.
• Generous paid time off.
• Benefits may vary by job level and full-time or part-time status.