Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships

Build Strategic Partnerships. Secure Meaningful Support. Advance our Mission.

Are you a relationship-builder and strategic thinker who knows how to turn funding opportunities into lasting impact? As Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships at Oakland Family Services (OFS), you’ll lead grant development and corporate engagement efforts that help sustain and grow programs serving individuals and families. You’ll bring people, ideas, and resources together to support a mission that builds brighter futures.

About the Opportunity

The Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships is primarily responsible for manage the lifecycle of grants including researching prospects, preparing grant proposals, identifying funding opportunities, writing grant proposals and coordinating the submission of grant proposals from beginning to end. The incumbent will provide leadership and seek input from program staff in preparing grant reports, or in some circumstances, be responsible for grant reporting. The incumbent will also track grant reporting requirements and deadlines and ensure compliance. They will also have primary leadership for corporate engagement strategy functions, including building partnerships with corporates, foundations and other grant making organizations. The Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships will directly supervise the Engagement and Special Events position along with the Development Associate. The Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships will work with the Vice President of Development, the Vice Presidents of Program Operations, and Program Directors to ensure that proposals meet the Agency’s priorities. The Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships reports to the Vice President of Development.

What you'll do:

Grant Administration

• Acquire and maintain current knowledge of all OFS programs and services. The incumbent should be familiar with all program evidence based/best practice guidelines and protocols, goals and objectives, eligibility criteria, funding mechanisms, critical success indicators and outcome measures and the measurement tools used.
• Understand program and Agency funding priorities and financial goals.
• Identify foundations and other funding sources with priorities that align with Oakland Family Services’ programs and develop plans to seek support. In collaboration with the Vice President of Development develop, evaluate and implement annual plans for grant development.
• Research local, state and national trends and grant/resource opportunities and present ideas that align with agency mission and strategic plan for consideration.
• In partnership with Vice President of Programs and Program Leadership conduct research, which may include evidence-based models, and compile internal and external data, as warranted, to ensure the strongest proposal possible.
• Create an accompanying budget and budget narrative. Seek consultation with RDMA, the financial and accounting firm used by the Agency, to review the proposed budget and solicit approval of a cost-effective plan to provide the proposed service.
• Review grant/proposal drafts for content, compliance with funders’ requirements and edit as appropriate. Make recommendations to team for revision.
• Track all proposals and awards, funding amounts and reporting requirements including data on grants completed, awarded, denied, revenue generated, and other metrics as needed, utilizing Grant Software platform. Ensure that the Vice President of Program Operations, and Program Directors, Managers, Supervisors and Department Directors adhere to reporting requirements and other related components.
• Prepare and maintain grant records; develop, maintain, and share a comprehensive annual grants calendar that establishes target dates for information gathering, writing, review, approval, transmittal, and reporting.
• Develop and maintain a system of historical data related to grant providers including submission of proposals, funder’s expectations and guidelines, and current and past grant awards.
• Participate in grant technical training provided by funding agencies and keep abreast of changing grant standards and proposal guidelines.

Strategic Relationship

• Work collaboratively with the Vice President of Development, Vice President of Program Operations, and Program Directors, Managers and Supervisors to produce grant applications and/or proposals. Create the production timeline and allocate adequate resources to ensure timely submission of a quality product. Ensure adherence to all guidelines and deadlines. Together, translate the program model with a high likelihood for success.
• Effectively steward relationships with all grantor funds and cultivate new potential partners. Make outreach of existing and future funders through appointments, calls and visits.
• Identify, and communicate with, and maintain strategic relationships with community agencies and organizations thought to be relevant to the funding project and solicit their support, including letters, input, participation as appropriate.

Personnel Administration

• Supervise Engagement and Special Events Coordinator to focus on corporate strategy and engagement activities, leading to stronger partnerships
• Supervise the Development Associate position of the department, incorporating engagement in record keeping of relationships.
• Actively lives and promotes agency cultural values, value-based decision-making criteria and holds others accountable for the same.
• Missionizes meetings and helps all staff, in all roles, in understanding their impact related to the Agency mission.
• Actively promotes communication on various levels. Fosters an “open door” environment. Communicates agency goals, big picture thinking, provides context for decision making to staff. Reports back feedback and input from staff on larger agency issues or themes.
• In coordination with the Vice President of Development, contributes to continuous quality improvement to develop procedures/systems that maximize donor/funder, prospect focus/experience.
• In conjunction with the Vice President of Development, provides leadership and direction to staff in the performance management process including coaching, supervision, the progressive discipline process, staff separations and performance appraisals. Actively follows up on identified performance management recommendations, including pre-corrective processes, verbal and written warnings, PIPS, etc. and stays abreast of the process. Reports back on action steps and performance management status to the Vice President of Development and the Senior Vice President of Employee Engagement and Organizational Development.

Other

• Responsible for incorporating principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in work processes and in job functions. Responsible for promoting a feeling of welcoming, belonging, and acceptance to all clients and staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

What you'll get:

• Meaningful impact: Shape grant development and corporate partnership strategies that support the agency’s long-term priorities. Connect funding and community partnerships to programs that strengthen individuals and families.
• Team-oriented leadership: Guide and develop a team while collaborating with agency executives and program leaders.
• Professional growth: Expand your leadership and development expertise while contributing to organizational strategy.
• Flexibility: Hybrid work options and flexibility that promotes a healthy balance between director responsibilities and personal commitments.
• Benefits that support you: Competitive compensation including health, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plan with company match, generous paid time off including 12 paid holidays, professional development, and more.
• A mission-driven workplace: Join a collaborative, inclusive nonprofit organization that values staff, innovation, and meaningful work.

Does this Describe YOU?

• 3-5 years’ progressive experience in nonprofit development, partnership management, or a related field, with a track record of building and sustaining revenue-generating relationships
• Minimum of three (3) years of leadership experience supervising, developing, and leading teams.
• Proven track record of securing grants from Foundations, Corporations and other funding sources.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to evaluate revenue opportunities and develop actionable recommendations.
• Strong relationship management skills, with the ability to engage credibly with corporate partners, major donors, and institutional funders.
• Skilled at cross-functional collaboration and organizational communication; able to align stakeholders around shared priorities.
• Experience supporting leadership in donor-facing strategy and engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and relate well to donors, board members, staff, and other key stakeholders.
• Commitment to donor confidentiality and ethical behavior while employing best practices in fundraising.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office as well as experience with development database systems Raisers Edge preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Superior communication skills (including verbal, written and presentation).
• Experience in training and development with the ability to deliver informative and engaging presentations.
• Exceptional organizational skills as they relate to prioritization and completion of multiple projects, tasks and deadlines.
• General knowledge and strong interest in the area of human services, cultural diversity and the structure and function of not-for-profit agencies.
• Demonstrated self-initiative, able to work independently and organize/work with a team.
• Ability to adapt, embrace and drive change.
• Selected candidates for this position must possess a sensitivity to the diversity of the Agency’s service population including (but not limited to) differences of culture, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Special abilities and skills necessary to perform the required tasks and that best meet the needs of the agency also will be considered. There may be some standards above that may be waived when compensating specifications or circumstances exist.