DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

ABOUT WESTERN JUSTICE CENTER (WJC)

Western Justice Center (WJC) is a leader in the field of conflict resolution education with in-depth school-based and community-based partnerships throughout the Greater LA Area. WJC drives transformational change in education by empowering youth, educators and administrators to be equal partners in creating safe, inclusive learning environments. Our holistic approach supports systemic and sustainable change by partnering with school and community partners to implement restorative approaches to violence reduction and conflict resolution as evidence-based, trauma-informed alternatives to punitive discipline. We walk humbly as part of the larger movement to heal the impact of the school-to-prison pipeline on structurally disadvantaged communities and at-promise youth.

WJC aims to create, study and sustain multi-school efforts to integrate conflict resolution education in ways that transform our educational systems. In the past four years, we have grown significantly, increasing and diversifying our revenue, expanding school and community partnerships, and reaching a global audience through our online curriculum portal, School Tools. In addition, WJC manages a non-profit campus in Pasadena where like-minded organizations cohabitate with an eye toward advancing justice and equity. Ours is a warm, collaborative, inclusive team culture where we “lead from any seat,” practice what we teach, and invest in each other. Our hybrid work environment encourages a mix of on-site, in the field and remote work. 

About the Position

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Director will play a critical role in ensuring that WJC achieves its mission to transform how we navigate conflict in our schools. The Development Director will join WJC as we continue our plan for significant growth by cultivating and stewarding the funders needed to continue and sustain that growth. The Development Director will have the resources to build a lean but scalable Development and Communications team.

In collaboration with the Executive Director and board, the Development Director will create a fund development strategy that includes donor segmentation, moves management, individual and institutional giving, special events, planned giving and related success metrics. The Development Director has direct oversight for contributed revenue with an emphasis on the identification, cultivation and stewardship of new and existing donors/philanthropists, corporations and foundations.

The Development Director will be a hands-on, collaborative, energetic fundraiser who will spend time in the community developing strategically important relationships, while providing inspiring and transparent leadership that ensures the Development and Communications team is focused, relationship-driven and accountable for achieving results.

Responsibilities

Development and Revenue Growth

• In partnership with ED and board, develop an overall external relationship and fundraising strategy for the organization, complete with implementation plans and metrics to gauge success throughout the year on WJC’s road to a $2M plus annual budget.
• Identify, cultivate and solicit major gifts and corporate funders; manage solicitation and stewardship activities, including “managing up” with the ED and key board members; provide leadership and coaching to assist others in their fundraising success.
• Lead fundraising for the annual gala ($600K) and support volunteer gala fundraising committee; conceptualize gala program and live fundraising elements; oversee execution of gala by event production company.
• Create and oversee additional donor and corporate engagement opportunities, such as dinner parties, salons and the Summer Associates Luncheon.
• Ensure all donors and event sponsors are well-informed, acknowledged in meaningful ways and appreciated in a thoughtful manner throughout the year; oversee database functions used by the development team; oversee collection of pledges and contributions.
• Create and manage the annual development and communications budget.
• Development staffing and resources include development assistant, major donor program consultant, gala production company, grant writing consultant (reports to ED), and graphic designer, as well as an ED and volunteer leaders actively engaged in fundraising.

Communications

• With support staff and other resources, conceptualize and communicate WJC’s mission and achievements in a compelling, donor-centric manner through a variety of platforms and publications, including emails, social media, video and print materials.
• Collaborate with WJC’s Director of Programs and other staff to promote WJC’s education and community outreach programs and to generate powerful storytelling content.
• Communications staffing and resources include communications consulting company (or in-house communications manager), graphic designer, video production partners, and volunteers with expertise in marketing, public relations, comm’s strategy, and storytelling. 

Board Engagement

• Staff and support the board’s External Engagement Committee and Gala Sub-Committee, and work in collaboration with the ED to engage and steward the broader board.
• Partner with and work to maximize the fundraising outreach of each board member’s network and keep former board members engaged through WJC’s leadership council.
• Partner with the ED and the Board Development Committee to grow a diverse and inclusive pipeline of board members.

Leadership & Personnel Management

• Contribute as a leader to WJC’s fun, caring, diverse and inclusive culture; ensure effective internal communications and collaboration across teams to further the goals of the development and communications team and of the organization.
• Set high standards for professionalism, work product and collegiality and hold their team responsible for maintaining them, providing professional development and training opportunities to cultivate staff skills and professionalism and helping the team to establish work plans, performance objectives and goals.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and four (4) years of development experience in the non-profit sector or a combination of education and experience.
• Substantial fundraising experience within a high-performing development team that includes a successful track record of personally raising gifts from individuals and/or institutions.
• Demonstrated skills in motivating, directing, and developing a team, and in coordinating and supporting the fundraising activities of others; holds team and self accountable for reaching or exceeding targets.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with various development strategies, such as major giving, event planning / fundraising, proposal and grant development, planned giving, capital campaigns, direct solicitations, online giving, social media and direct mail.
• Practical experience in using data to manage the fundraising process, enhance donor cultivation and drive fundraising priorities, including through “moves management,” with knowledge of Bloomerang a plus.
• Superior written and oral communication skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to articulate a compelling case for programs.

Personal Qualities

• Creative thinker, good listener and nimble strategist; comfortable receiving input from many sources, able to analyze & formulate disparate information into a sound, well-organized plan.
• Extroverted and innovative; derives energy from connecting with individuals, aligning the case for support, creating opportunities for engagement and building enthusiasm for WJC.
• Emotionally mature with a warm sense of humor and the flexibility and sensitivity to work with diverse personalities and situations.
• Has a personal and/or professional connection with WJC’s mission; is passionate about addressing the disparate impact that punitive discipline has on at-promise youth in communities affected by the multi-generational effects of systemic racism and poverty.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a hybrid position allowing for a combination of in office, in field and remote work. Salary is commensurate with experience. WJC offers a full benefits package, including vacation and sick time, paid holidays, medical, dental and life insurance with employee buy-up options for dependents and vision care. There are 10 paid holidays, 2 floater paid holidays for religious and cultural observances, and a Wellness Week off between Christmas and New Year’s.

Equal Opportunity Employer

WJC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively creates a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. WJC does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, or ethnicity; sex, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity; national origin, disability, age, religion, or creed. WJC highly values the opportunity to be in community with BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and other people whose lived experience enriches and informs our work. WJC supports “Ban the Box” efforts to open opportunities for people impacted by the carceral system.  

Envision Consulting was retained by the WJC to conduct the search for their incoming Development Director. Applicants with questions or in need of accommodation for any part of the application process may contact Envision Consulting at 626.889.7905 to request and arrange for assistance.