Director of Development and Communications

Director of Development and Communications

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Hybrid, Pasadena CA

Employment type: Full Time

Status: Exempt (salary)

Salary: $95,000-$105,000 DOE

Permanent: Yes

Providing supportive services with compassion and dignity to our neighbors experiencing homelessness and vulnerability.

The Director of Development and Communications is a senior leadership role at Friends In Deed, responsible for overseeing and executing comprehensive fundraising and communications strategies that sustain and grow the organization’s mission to support people experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and housing instability in Pasadena. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this position works closely and collaboratively with development colleagues, program directors, board members, and the senior leadership team to engage individual and institutional donors throughout the full donor cycle.

This position plays a central role in raising a significant portion of Friends In Deed’s annual operating revenue and advancing long‑term organizational sustainability.

The Director manages a robust major gifts portfolio, cultivating and stewarding high-net-worth individuals through personalized engagement, strategic solicitation, and long‑term relationship building. In partnership with the Chief Executive Officer and Board leadership, this position plays a key role in planning and executing an upcoming capital campaign, including prospect strategy, donor cultivation, and campaign solicitation. The Director also serves as an external ambassador for the organization, leads development and communications strategy, mentors staff, and ensures that Friends In Deed’s story, impact, and values are communicated clearly and compellingly to the community.

• Provide direct supervision and leadership to department full-time staff.
• Set clear departmental goals, monitor progress, and provide regular reporting to the CEO and Board.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors on fundraising, communications, and growth initiatives.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive annual and multi‑year development plan aligned with organizational priorities.
• Oversee the Development and Communications budget, forecasting revenue and managing expenses.
• Ensure all fundraising and communications practices meet ethical standards, nonprofit regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Lead all fundraising efforts, including individual giving, major gifts, institutional giving, events, and campaigns.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through a variety of outreach efforts and engagement strategies.
• Develop new and creative fundraising initiatives to expand Friends In Deed’s donor base and revenue streams.
• Maintain and refine the annual development calendar, including campaigns, grant deadlines, stewardship touchpoints, and events.
• Research, cultivate, and manage corporate and foundation relationships.
• Schedule and manage the Board Advancement Committee in partnership with the Committee Chair.
• Mentor and train staff and Board members in fundraising best practices and donor engagement.

• Provide direct supervision and leadership to department full-time staff:
  Grants Manager, Development Manager (Marketing and Communications), Development Manager (Events and Advancement Services).
• Set clear departmental goals, monitor progress, and provide regular reporting to the CEO and Board.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors on fundraising, communications, and growth initiatives.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive annual and multi‑year development plan aligned with organizational priorities.
• Oversee the Development and Communications budget, forecasting revenue and managing expenses.
• Ensure all fundraising and communications practices meet ethical standards, nonprofit regulations, and compliance requirements.

• Lead all fundraising efforts, including individual giving, major gifts, institutional giving, events, and campaigns.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through a variety of outreach efforts…