Director of Development

Position Type: Full-time/Salary/Exempt

Location: Fort Bragg, California, hybrid working conditions

Starting Salary: Commensurate with experience; range $75,000-$90,000

Benefits: Paid time off (PTO) based on hours worked – vacation, sick, and holidays; SIMPLE IRA retirement plan; group health benefits (medical, dental, vision); technology stipend

ORGANIZATION

Noyo Center for Marine Science (Noyo Center) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), whose mission is to advance ocean conservation through education, exploration, and experience. Based in Fort Bragg, California, the Noyo Center developed out of a desire to address the critical gap in marine science in this remote region of the northern California coast. Our goal is to connect the scientific and lay communities to our incredibly productive and critically important marine ecosystems, while raising the profile of our ocean’s increasingly vital role in physical climate, food supply, and economic resiliency. The Noyo Center for Marine Science offers research and educational opportunities to:

• Support the understanding, conservation, and restoration of our marine ecosystem
• Engage our local community and visitors in activities and education that support our beautiful Mendocino coast
• Generate sustainable economic opportunities for the Mendocino coast community

The Noyo Center is currently based out of three sites in Fort Bragg:  The Discovery Center Science Museum, located in the downtown historic district; the Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center on the Fort Bragg headlands; and the Marine Field Station in the Noyo Harbor. At these locations and through community events, the Noyo Center engages with more than 100,000 individuals (both visitors and local community members) per year. Our exhibitions include a growing natural history collection, featuring the world’s largest killer whale skeleton; our virtual reality Ocean Immersion Dome where visitors can “swim underwater” to experience the kelp drama unfolding beneath the sea; and a rotating exhibit schedule of other marine skeletons, educational artwork, and marine science presentations. The Noyo Center is developing a conservation aquaculture program at the Marine Field Station and is in the process of planning the development of 11.6 acres on the Noyo Headlands which will be the home of the Ocean Science Center campus, including the development of the La-BONE-atory in 2025, a workspace to restore and articulate a 73 foot Blue Whale skeleton. The organization also supports science education initiatives through our work with the local school system, at summer camps and afterschool programs; engages the community through citizen science initiatives; and partners on important science initiatives like Help the Kelp to address marine issues affecting our local marine ecosystem. For more information about the Noyo Center visit our website at www.noyocenter.org.

ROLE

The Development Director is a leadership position at the Noyo Center for Marine Science, an organization positioned for significant growth over the next 5 years. We are seeking an experienced leader who is enthusiastic about building a strong development operation. This is an exciting role for a visionary who thrives in a “hands-on” environment and who is eager to contribute to the strategic vision of the organization. The Development Director will, in the next three years, oversee a feasibility study and develop and execute a strategy for increasing contributed revenue. In addition to growing the organization’s overall donation program, the Development Director will also develop strategies and set long term goals for institutional gifts, membership, business contributions, special events, and legacy giving. The Development Director is a key leader in promoting a culture of philanthropy among staff, Board and volunteers.

This is a full-time position based in beautiful Fort Bragg, California, with flexibility to work at home as well as in the office. The Noyo Center for Marine Science offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Hours and days are flexible, with some evenings and weekends required for events, meetings, etc. This position reports to the Executive Director.

DUTIES

• Lead the planning, organizing, and directing of all Noyo Center’s annual fundraising program, and oversee a feasibility study and develop and execute a strategy for increasing contributed revenue
• Create an annual fundraising plan with revenue projections that are integrated into the annual operating budget
• Manage and drive strategic direction for individual giving, sustaining membership, foundation grants, business sponsorship, and legacy gifts
• Working with the Executive Director, steward and grow a portfolio of major organizational donors and investors both locally and outside the region
• Manage the organization’s annual fundraising event, typically scheduled in fall
• Manage the organization’s fundraising appeals (twice annually), as well as other outreach efforts throughout the year
• Manage the organization’s sustaining membership program, partnering with the Executive Director and program staff to innovate future membership offerings and strategize annual outreach to this group of ongoing supporters
• Oversee the organization’s development operations, including the strategic and dynamic use of the constituent database Little Green Light to drive donor communication initiatives, track donor contributions, and overall promote data-driven decision making. Hands on use of the database will be a key part of this role in the first year, as the department grows and adds administrative support
• Develop and apply a deep understanding of the Noyo Center’s programs to effectively tell our story to donors, investors and others in the community
• Work with the Executive Director to research and track potential institutional funding opportunities
• Manage, track, and produce reports on the fundraising budget (expenses and revenue) throughout the year
• Work with finance staff to reconcile incoming donations and produce monthly financial and contact reports
• Identify, contact and build relationships with major donor prospects
• Communicate regularly with the program staff to remain updated on program developments
• Work with the Executive Director, Board Members, and volunteers, to increase supporters’ and community awareness of Noyo’s impact and programs through newsletters, fundraising collateral, and ongoing development of messaging and branding
• Participate in Noyo’s digital presence. This includes working with Noyo staff to contribute philanthropic content to the monthly newsletter and social media calendar.
• Create and implement an annual philanthropic communication strategy to maintain existing donors and cultivate new donors. Work with the Executive Director to produce an annual report featuring fundraising efforts and progress.Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years as a development professional with experience managing development programs and teams, as well as demonstrated success in securing major gifts and stewarding long-term relationships with donors.
• Knowledge of or interest in marine science, conservation, or education
• Demonstrated skills and experience building and scaling up fundraising programs or initiatives
• A self-starter with a demonstrated ability to harness the energy of staff and board members and coordinate and support their participation in fundraising activities
• Must have exceptional interpersonal skills
• An outstanding communicator both in writing and orally
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience strategically working with a constituent database. Little Green Light experience a plus
• Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends

WORK ENVIRONMENT

A mix of office work and time spent outside the office. May spend time planning or hosting events and meeting with donors. Some travel within the region is required. This position regularly sits or stands for long periods at a computer; frequently bends, twists, stoops and crouches while working at desk, filing and records handling; constantly uses both hands/arms in reaching, handling, grasping, and keyboarding while using a variety of office equipment; frequently uses a telephone and computer to communicate with coworkers and public; regularly stands to use a variety of office equipment; occasionally lifts and carries items up to 30 pounds.