Development Director

About the Organization

Heal the Bay is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year and has been LA's leading environmental nonprofit since 1985, dedicated to keeping Southern California's coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy, and clean for both people and marine life. Through science, advocacy, education and community action, we raise awareness and drive solutions to address issues of pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss.

Heal the Bay's advocacy has improved water quality at LA's beach, ensuring beachgoers, lifeguards, and surfers don't get sick from a day at the beach. Heal the Bay isn't afraid to take on polluters, hold decision-makers accountable, or lead when our government agencies fail to protect public health.

Each year, we host hundreds of beach and community cleanups, empowering individuals to combat pollution and in doing so, Heal the Bay volunteers have removed over 2 million pounds of trash from LA's beaches and waterways. We also provide real-time water quality data for over 700 West Coast beaches and local freshwater sites. Additionally, we operate the award-winning Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier, inspiring visitors to become stewards of clean water.

About the Position

Heal the Bay is seeking a strategic, mission-driven fundraising leader to serve as our Director of Development. This senior role is an exciting opportunity for a professional who is passionate about environmental education and advocacy and skilled in generating major gifts, grants, and philanthropic partnerships.

With climate change and pollution threatening California's coastlines, rivers, and marine life, Heal the Bay is dedicated to protecting and restoring the region's ecosystems. The Director of Development will be instrumental in securing the $6M+ in annual funding needed to advance our science, advocacy, education, and community engagement efforts.

We're looking for a dynamic and goal-oriented leader who can inspire donors, build strategic partnerships, and drive fundraising success to support a cleaner, healthier Santa Monica Bay and beyond.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Development will lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to sustain and expand financial support for Heal the Bay. This role requires an experienced and dynamic leader with a strong track record in developing and stewarding major gifts. The role also requires experience directing and managing staff responsible for donor relations, corporate partnerships, grant administration, and fundraising events. The Director of Development will play a pivotal role in driving revenue growth, fostering meaningful donor relationships, and positioning Heal the Bay for long-term financial sustainability.

Working in close collaboration with the Board of Directors, executive leadership, and external stakeholders, the Director of Development will ensure that fundraising efforts align with the organization's mission, strategic objectives, and programmatic priorities. This position requires a forward-thinking, results-driven leader who can balance high-level strategy with hands-on execution.

Key Responsibilities

Revenue Growth & Fundraising Strategy

• Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising plan that strengthens and diversifies revenue streams, including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation support, and special events.
• Oversee a robust major gifts program, identifying and cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals and institutional funders to secure five- and six-figure contributions and multi-year commitments.
• Identify and leverage new funding opportunities within the private sector and philanthropic communities, including corporate partnerships, cause marketing initiatives, and grant opportunities.
• Spearhead direct solicitation efforts, personally cultivating and securing significant gifts while providing leadership to staff and board members involved in donor engagement.
• Oversee grant writing and administration, ensuring high-quality proposals, compliance with reporting requirements, and alignment with Heal the Bay's mission.
• Maintain up-to-date records of all fundraising activities in Salesforce and Egnyte, ensuring transparency, accuracy, and adherence to nonprofit best practices.

Signature Events & Donor Engagement

• Oversee the planning and execution of Heal the Bay's three signature fundraising events, gala, golf tournament, and water agency luncheon, which collectively generate over $1.3 million in net annual income.
• Develop strategies to enhance event sponsorships, donor participation, and community visibility to maximize revenue potential.
• Collaborate with the communications team to design compelling event messaging, donor stewardship materials, and promotional campaigns.
• Represent Heal the Bay as a spokesperson at public engagements, fundraising events, donor meetings, and media opportunities, ensuring the organization's impact is effectively communicated.
• Travel locally (up to 20%) within Los Angeles County to meet with donors, attend networking events, and strengthen funding relationships.

Team Leadership & Development Operations

• Lead, mentor, and support a development team of up to four staff members, fostering a high-performance, goal-oriented, and collaborative work culture.
• Provide ongoing coaching, professional development, and performance management to strengthen individual and team capabilities in donor relations, grant writing, and fundraising strategy.
• Oversee the preparation of fundraising reports, financial forecasts, and key performance indicators, using data-driven insights to optimize fundraising strategies.
• Partner with the finance team to ensure accurate revenue tracking, donor stewardship, and compliance with nonprofit financial regulations.

• Manage external consultants, campaign specialists, and vendors to enhance fundraising initiatives as needed.

Board & Leadership Collaboration

• Work closely with the Board of Directors to support their fundraising efforts, providing guidance on donor engagement, personal giving, and leveraging their networks to secure funding.
• Deliver regular fundraising updates and impact reports to the board, equipping them with the necessary tools and information to advocate for Heal the Bay's mission.
• Actively participate in senior leadership meetings, contributing to organizational strategy, financial planning, and long-term sustainability efforts.
• Ensure alignment between development efforts and Heal the Bay's communications, advocacy, and programmatic goals, fostering cross-departmental collaboration.

Ideal Candidate

This position is ideal for a strategic and results-driven fundraising professional who is passionate about environmental conservation and has a strong ability to build meaningful relationships with donors, corporate partners, and community stakeholders. The Director of Development must be both a visionary leader and a hands-on executor, capable of balancing long-term planning with day-to-day fundraising operations.

Success in this role will require exceptional communication skills, financial acumen, team leadership, and a deep understanding of nonprofit development strategies. The right candidate will be energized by the opportunity to elevate Heal the Bay's fundraising efforts, drive sustainable revenue growth, and secure the resources necessary to advance the organization's mission.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Required Experience and Skills:

• Senior-Level Fundraising Leadership (10+ Years): Extensive experience overseeing comprehensive fundraising strategies, with a focus on major gifts, capital campaigns, corporate sponsorships, and donor stewardship. Demonstrated ability to develop and execute multi-year fundraising plans aligned with organizational growth and sustainability.
• Major Gifts & Donor Cultivation: Proven track record in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and securing five- and six-figure gifts from individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners. Strong ability to build lasting donor relationships through personalized engagement and stewardship.
• Fundraising Events & Grant Administration: Experience planning and executing high-impact fundraising events, including galas, donor appreciation events, and community engagement initiatives. Proficiency in grant writing, reporting, and compliance, with a history of securing significant institutional funding.
• Mission-Driven Communication & Advocacy: Exceptional storytelling skills with the ability to persuasively communicate Heal the Bay's mission, impact, and funding priorities to diverse audiences, including board members, donors, corporate sponsors, and community partners.
• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of nonprofit financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and revenue tracking as it relates to fundraising goals. Ability to assess financial reports, oversee donor stewardship funds, and work closely with finance teams to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Technology & Data Management: Proficiency in Salesforce (or similar donor management systems) and OneCause, with the ability to leverage data analytics for donor segmentation, campaign performance tracking, and fundraising strategy optimization.
• Organization & Attention to Detail: Excellent project management skills, with the ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and oversee multiple fundraising initiatives simultaneously. Keen attention to detail to ensure accuracy in donor records, financial reporting, and compliance documentation.

• Interpersonal Skills & Communication: Strong emotional intelligence and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and inspire donors, stakeholders, board members, and internal teams. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, fostering collaboration and partnership development.
• Nonprofit Fundraising Ethics & Compliance: Deep understanding of 501(c)(3) fundraising ethics, legal regulations, and best practices, ensuring all fundraising activities adhere to industry standards and donor stewardship principles.
• Fast-Paced, Mission-Driven Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced nonprofit environment, balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution to drive results and sustain organizational impact.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Capital Campaign Leadership: Experience in leading or contributing to multi-million-dollar capital campaigns, including feasibility studies, donor prospecting, and campaign execution. Understanding of the complexities of large-scale fundraising efforts and donor engagement strategies.
• Environmental & Conservation Expertise: Knowledge of key issues related to environmental conservation, climate change, marine protection, and sustainability, enabling the candidate to effectively connect fundraising efforts to Heal the Bay's broader mission.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: A coaching-oriented leadership style with a strong ability to inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing fundraising teams. Experience in fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented work culture that empowers staff and volunteers.

Compensation & Work Environment

• Salary: $120,000 - $140,000 (commensurate with experience)
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement contributions.
• Location: Los Angeles County, CA (hybrid role, with at least two in-office days per week)
• Schedule: Full-time (exempt), with occasional evening and weekend events.