Chief Development Officer

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our Mission: Since 1981, the Orangewood Foundation has passionately advocated for young people facing foster care, homelessness, and trafficking. Our mission is to empower these individuals by supporting the futures they envision, providing dedicated one-on-one support to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Our Programs & Services: We provide programs and services in four essential areas: Basic Needs & Support, Education, Life Skills & Employment, and Transitional Housing & Support.

Our Vision: A community where every young person thrives.

At Orangewood, recently ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025, we take pride in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture built on Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion, and Advocacy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Chief Development Officer

Employment Classification: Full time, Salary; Exempt

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer, and is a subordinate Officer of the organization who ultimately reports to the Board of Directors

Department: Development

Position Summary:

Directs the long-range strategy for all revenue-generating and brand-building verticals, including community engagement and PR. As an executive leader, plays a pivotal role in organizational governance, shaping the internal ethos and strategic direction necessary to scale the Foundation's philanthropic impact and public profile.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Champion aggressive, data-driven revenue strategies to catalyze the expansion of the organization's programmatic footprint
  
• Personally manage a portfolio of major and transformational donors
  
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with the Board of Directors and principal benefactors; create and lead an annual plan for Development and Marketing
  
• Identify, cultivate, and mobilize key stakeholders and community influencers
  
• Direct the identification and cultivation of prospective Board leadership in partnership with the CEO
  
• Direct integration of high-level organizational policy and cultural initiatives
  
• Actively promote brand awareness and visibility across Orange County and beyond
  
• Serve as a catalyst for change through ambassadorship and community representation
  
• Pursue innovative and emerging best practices for development, marketing, and community engagement
  
• Provide strategic mentorship and executive coaching to a high-performing development and marketing team
  
• Direct the formulation of multi-million-dollar revenue and expense frameworks

Knowledge, Skill, and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree required
  
• Minimum twelve years of progressive experience as a successful fundraiser, including five years as a senior fundraising executive in a large nonprofit organization with a multi-million-dollar fundraising revenue goal
  
• Proven track record of strategic revenue growth and securing $6-8M+ in annual funding through diversified donor portfolios, institutional funding, and high-impact campaigns
  
• Experience with elected officials and relationship management of stakeholders highly desirable
  
• Deep experience with major gifts, endowments, and/or capital campaigns
  
• Distinguished performance in leveraging Board and volunteer capital for complex development initiatives
  
• Expert at translating complex data evaluation into actionable strategies for sustainable revenue growth
  
• Proven ability to lead high-impact marketing efforts combining digital media, brand storytelling, and data-driven direct mail
  
• Professional fundraising certifications/training preferred
  
• Strong written and oral communication skills
  
• Valid CA driver's license and proof of auto insurance required; position requires DMV clearance
  
• Pre-employment screenings include criminal background check, FBI/DOJ fingerprinting, TB test, drug screen, and employment verification
  
• A Plum.io assessment is required as part of the application process

Compensation: $180,000 - $220,000 annually

Benefits include: Medical (Blue Shield HMO & PPO + HRA), Delta Dental, Vision (EyeMed), FSA, Mental Health through Headspace, EAP, Life/Disability/Accident/Critical Illness, Pet Insurance, 403b with company match, 457b deferred-compensation plan, Car Allowance, Cell Phone Stipend, 5 Sick Days/year, up to 3 Floating Holidays/year, 15 Days PTO in year one, 13 Company Paid Holidays.

Orangewood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Location

Santa Ana, CA, USA33.745473-117.867653USCA