Director of Development

About the role

Episcopal Community Services (ECS) is a nonprofit organization rooted in a tradition of action and faith, delivering over $45M in health and human services annually to more than 10,500 clients and family members across the San Diego region. ECS operates from a deep belief that every person deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Responsibilities

• Lead ECS' development strategy, annual fundraising plan, and development calendar in alignment with the organization's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability.
• Set annual and multi-year goals to grow and diversify revenue across major gifts, individual giving, capital campaigns, planned giving, institutional funding, special events, parish engagement, and in-kind gifts.
• Manage a portfolio of 100+ donors and prospects to secure major gifts and grow philanthropic support.
• Lead fundraising efforts across all development programs and activities, including capital campaign planning and execution to advance program expansion priorities.
• Build and manage a major gifts program and pipeline by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding current and prospective donors.
• Oversee donor stewardship strategies, including acknowledgment, recognition, and engagement, that strengthen retention and long-term support.
• Lead the planning and execution of special events that deepen donor engagement, expand community support, and generate revenue.
• Oversee grant proposals, reports, and supporting materials for foundation, corporate, government, and other institutional funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with program leadership to develop compelling grant narratives and strengthen institutional funding in alignment with ECS' priorities and program goals.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors' Resource Development Committee and support its fundraising priorities.
• Cultivate relationships with Episcopal parishes, faith communities, volunteers, and community partners in support of ECS as a faith-based organization.
• Represent ECS in donor, parish, community, and fundraising settings, as appropriate.
• Lead the Development team through annual goal setting, performance management, and ongoing staff evaluation across all giving programs.
• Build, mentor, and grow the Development team as the function scales, including helping to shape new roles as they are added.
• In partnership with the Finance Department, develop and manage the annual development budget, revenue projections, and performance targets, while monitoring progress toward fundraising goals.
• Oversee development operations, including donor database management, gift tracking, acknowledgment processes, and reporting.
• Maintain systems, workflows, fundraising metrics, and operational practices that support an organized, data-informed development function.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit administration, business administration, communications, public administration, or a related field, with at least five to seven years of progressively responsible fundraising and staff management experience, or equivalent related experience.
• Proven success securing gifts of $25,000 or more, with demonstrated experience leading planned giving, capital campaigns, and grant funding strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop persuasive donor materials, cases for support, and grant proposals and reports in collaboration with program leadership.
• Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal, and donor cultivation skills.
• Proficiency in Raiser's Edge, prospect research tools, and Microsoft Office.
• Strong organizational skills, sound judgment, discretion, and experience in budget development and administration.
• CFRE designation is a plus.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet donor engagement and organizational needs.

Compensation and Benefits

This full-time, onsite role offers a competitive salary range of $135,000–$145,000 (DOE), along with a comprehensive benefits package. This includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, with the organization covering 100% of Basic Life and AD&D insurance, as well as Long-Term Disability coverage. The role also comes with a 401(k) retirement plan with a 3% employer contribution, a robust Employee Assistance Program offering free counseling and chat therapy support, generous paid time off and company-paid holidays, and flexible spending account options for healthcare and dependent care expenses.