North County Lifeline

Director of Development

North County Lifeline, San Diego

Director of Development

Position Summary

Lifeline is seeking a Director of Development to lead the agency's philanthropic growth through a high-performance, diversified fund development program. This role is responsible for designing and delivering a revenue strategy that sustains and expands Lifeline's mission, visibility, and financial strength.

As a member of Lifeline's Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Development will work closely with the Chief Impact Officer, Executive Leaders, Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders to advance Lifeline's annual fundraising goals. In partnership with the Chief Impact Officer, the Director of Development will help achieve Lifeline's annual fundraising goal of $2.4 million in Fiscal Year 2026, while building the long-term strategy to exceed $3 million in the next two years. This role holds full accountability for all philanthropic revenue streams, including individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, institutional partnerships, impact events, and the agency's full portfolio of government contracts and private grants.

The ideal candidate brings a proven track-record of exceeding ambitious revenue goals in complex nonprofit environments and thrives at the intersection of strategy, data, and relationship-building. The Director of Development will supervise a high-impact team and collaborate across departments to shape proposals, evaluate performance, and steward donor relationships. This is a pivotal opportunity for a mission-aligned, performance-driven development leader ready to thrive in a fast-moving, outcomes-based environment and help build on Lifeline's 50+ year legacy of impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Revenue Leadership

Design and execute a multi-year fund development strategy that aligns with Lifeline's mission, program growth, and long-term financial goals.
Lead all fundraising operations, including annual campaigns, major gifts, individual giving, private grants, corporate partnerships, new revenue initiatives, and impact events.
Set and own annual fundraising goals (targeting $2.4M) and develop strategic advancement plans to exceed $3M over the next two years.
Identify and pursue new funding opportunities across public, private, and philanthropic sectors to diversify and strengthen revenue streams.
Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, Chief Impact Officer, and Board on fundraising trends, positioning, and risk mitigation.
Partner with the CEO and leadership team to advance economic development strategies that position Lifeline for regional investment, public-private partnerships, and systems-level funding opportunities.

Grants and Government Contract Oversight

Manage the full lifecycle of all active and prospective grants and public contracts-including federal, state, county, and private funding sources.
Lead or oversee proposal development, submission, compliance tracking, and reporting in partnership with program and finance teams.
Coordinate with the Director of Compliance and program leadership to ensure funder requirements are met with precision, including deliverables, data submissions, budget tracking, and performance outcomes.
Establish internal systems to monitor, forecast, and manage funding pipelines with accuracy and accountability.

Donor Stewardship and Institutional Advancement

Personally manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and institutional funders, with emphasis on cultivation, solicitation, and multi-year giving.
Proactively prospect, evaluate, and secure new funding opportunities across philanthropic, corporate, and government sectors, with an emphasis on unrestricted and multi-year support.
Develop and implement donor stewardship systems that increase retention, elevate giving levels, and communicate impact effectively.
Equip the CEO, Board members, and senior leaders with tools and briefings to support high-level donor engagement and outreach.
Leverage data and segmentation to optimize donor journeys, improve donor lifetime value, and drive long-term sustainability.

Fundraising Event Strategy

Partner with the Marketing & Events Manager to strategically align fundraising events (e.g., annual gala, donor receptions, campaigns) with revenue goals.
Lead pre- and post-event strategies to cultivate donor interest, drive sponsorship growth, and convert event attendees into long-term supporters.
Represent Lifeline at external functions, cultivating relationships that enhance the agency's visibility, credibility, and philanthropic reach.

Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration

Supervise and develop a high-performing development team; set clear performance goals and provide coaching, feedback, and professional development.
Collaborate with program, finance, and compliance staff to align funding efforts with operational capacity and contract requirements.
Serve as a member of Lifeline's senior leadership team and contribute to organization-wide strategic planning and sustainability conversations.
Promote a culture of philanthropy across the organization by embedding fundraising awareness and stewardship into everyday operations.

Qualifications

Required

Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit development, fundraising strategy, or external affairs-with direct accountability for multi-million-dollar revenue portfolios.
Proven track record of exceeding ambitious fundraising goals, including major gifts, institutional giving, and public-private grant acquisition.
Demonstrated experience managing a complex portfolio of government contracts (local, state, and federal) and private foundation grants.
Strong strategic planning skills with the ability to design, execute, and evaluate high-level fundraising initiatives across multiple channels.
Exceptional interpersonal, writing, and presentation skills, with the ability to build authentic relationships with donors, funders, Board members, and stakeholders.
Proficiency with donor management and grant tracking systems (e.g., Salesforce NPSP, Blackbaud, OneCause, or equivalent), including CRM reporting and performance analysis.
Bachelor's degree in public administration, nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field.

Preferred

Master's degree in a related field or CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) credential.
Experience working in contract-funded, community-based nonprofit organizations.
Familiarity with San Diego County's philanthropic and civic funding landscape, including key institutional and government partners.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Work is performed in combination of settings including working remotely from home, working in a standard office environment, and working within in the community. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to

work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to travel to locations using personal vehicle; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Why Join Lifeline?

Comprehensive Benefits :

Competitive compensation with a robust benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Paid parental leave and bereavement leave of up to 80 hours for qualifying events.
Generous paid time off and hybrid work flexibility to support work-life balance.

Professional Growth Opportunities :

Leadership development and access to training programs.
Career advancement opportunities in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

North County Lifeline DBA Lifeline Community Services ("Lifeline") is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and discrimination is not tolerated. We are committed to creating a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their best selves to work. We adhere to all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

In California, we extend these protections to include ancestry, medical condition, genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), familial status, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, and age (40 and above) among others, recognizing and valuing the diverse backgrounds and perspectives that all individuals bring to our team.

Lifeline is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) by providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and by ensuring that our employment practices do not discriminate against any individual.

We believe that diversity fuels innovation and creativity, and we are dedicated to building a team that reflects a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Lifeline's success is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and the collective contributions of all our employees.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Lifeline expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on any of the protected characteristics mentioned above.

Lifeline's leadership is committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion and ensuring that our employment environment is free from discrimination and harassment. All employees are encouraged to report any instances of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in violation of this policy to a supervisor, HR representative, or through our reporting email.

By embracing diversity and promoting equality, Lifeline not only complies with all relevant legislation but also creates a richer, more vibrant work environment for all our employees.

Accommodations and Accessibility Statement

Lifeline Community Services is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and other applicable laws, Lifeline will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship for the organization.

If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact ,org as soon as possible. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, assistance with completing the application process, providing documents in an accessible format, or arranging for an accessible interview location.

Our goal is to ensure that all individuals have equal access to opportunities and are able to perform their job duties safely and effectively. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all employees can thrive.

Classification Compliance Statement

This position is intended to be classified as exempt under the administrative exemption provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and California labor laws. To qualify as exempt, employees must meet both the duties test and the salary test, which requires earning a minimum salary of no less than twice the California minimum wage for full-time employment. The salary range for this position is $135,000 to $145,000, and offers will be made in compliance with applicable laws to ensure the exempt classification is met. If the exemption criteria are not met, the classification of this position may be subject to change to comply with applicable labor laws, and adjustments to compensation, benefits, or job responsibilities may occur as required.

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our clients and maintaining the integrity of our workplace, North County Lifeline conducts comprehensive background and drug screening processes for all prospective employees. This includes, but is not limited to:

Driving Record Check: Verification through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to ensure a good standing driving record.
Employment Verification: Confirmation of your employment history to verify your experiences and qualifications.
Reference Checks: Contacting provided references to gain insights into your work ethic, professionalism, and suitability for the role.
Tuberculosis (TB) Screening: A TB test to ensure the health and safety of our clients and staff, in line with public health recommendations.
Drug Screening: A 10-panel non-DOT drug test to screen for the presence of common illicit substances, ensuring a drug-free workplace.
Criminal Background Checks: Comprehensive checks through the Department of Justice (DOJ), FBI, and Child Abuse Index to identify any history that may impact your suitability for employment, particularly in roles involving vulnerable populations.

These screenings are a vital part of our hiring process and must be successfully completed for employment eligibility. North County Lifeline is dedicated to fair and responsible hiring practices and ensures that all screenings are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, respecting the privacy and rights of all candidates. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this process, aimed at creating a safe and productive work environment for everyone.