Senior Director of Development, Workshops for Warriors

Position Title: Senior Director of Development

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

Position: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Onsite, located in San Diego

Salary: $125,000-$150,000+ annual salary, depending on experience

About Workshops For Warriors

Workshops for Warriors® (WFW) is a fully audited, board-governed 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The mission of WFW is to provide quality training, accredited STEM educational programs, and opportunities to earn third-party nationally recognized credentials to enable veterans, transitioning service members, and other students to be successfully trained and placed in their chosen advanced manufacturing career field. 

WFW is an inflection point, poised for expansion throughout the nation. With strong investment from both corporate partners and individual philanthropy, we have been able to grow our programs significantly, while maintaining a 94% placement rate for our graduates. We have recently expanded our presence in San Diego and have plans to grow our footprint nationally. 

We are rebuilding American manufacturing, one veteran at a time. 

The Opportunity

WFW has seen tremendous growth in fundraising results recently, allowing us to expand our program offerings and assist more veterans in securing good-paying, stable, and dignified careers. We seek an experienced fundraising leader to build a comprehensive fundraising program, including the necessary administrative infrastructure to expand our corporate partnerships, foundation grants, major gifts, and monthly donor programs. You will formalize a growth strategy and drive our expansion to a $25M annual fundraising program.

If you are passionate about helping veterans and excited about building from the ground up to achieve ambitious fundraising goals, this is the role for you.

The Role

The Senior Director of Development will develop comprehensive annual fundraising plans to achieve ambitious goals across multiple revenue streams. As a senior leader, this role involves working closely with the Chief Development Officer to maintain a strong pipeline of current and future donors through consistent stewardship of existing partners and timely identification and cultivation of new donors. Additionally, the Senior Director will collaborate with the Director of Marketing and program delivery staff to create compelling fundraising appeals across various communication channels, including online giving, corporate partnerships, pitch decks, event sponsorships, and grant proposals.

This position also entails developing, growing, and stewarding relationships with individuals, corporations, and foundations to support Workshops for Warriors. The ideal candidate, passionate about veteran transition, will build nationwide engagement and attract support to expand our mission across the country.

The Senior Director of Development will be a strategic thinker and deliberate implementer, serving as a thought partner to the Chief Development Officer. This role combines a goal-oriented attitude with a long-term vision for success, playing a crucial part in establishing benchmark reporting and standard operating procedures to aid our transformation from a grassroots organization to a national changemaker.

Impact Areas

Strategic Development and Fundraising

• Develop an industry-leading stewardship and partner activation program rooted in best practices.
• Build a formalized prospect management system to ensure meaningful and timely donor engagement at every stage of the philanthropic cycle.
• Create comprehensive annual fundraising plans that combine a variety of revenue sources.
• Develop and implement annual and long-term plans to increase giving and participation, aiming to reach $25M annually by 2025.

Data Management and Reporting

• Develop benchmarking reports to track historical trends and annual performance.
• Establish database management standard operating procedures to ensure data-informed decision-making.

Marketing and Presentation

• Develop strategies to showcase the organization’s programs and mission, increasing funding through polished presentations, decks, and customized collateral for prospective partners.
• Work closely with the Events Coordinator and Marketing Team to ensure corporate sponsors receive appropriate recognition through media and marketing materials.
• Manage all aspects of the cause-marketing program, including responding to inquiries, seeking new opportunities, coordinating agreements, negotiating marketing requirements, and developing Round Up at the Register partnerships.

Corporate and Employee Engagement

• Collaborate with leadership to establish and execute customized corporate and employee engagement strategies.
• Manage and expand the caseload of matching gift companies and collaborate with the Development Team to build donor awareness of workplace-giving opportunities.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with all departments and team members.
• Provide additional support to the Chief Development Officer as needed.

Physical Job Requirements:

• Must be able to sit in front of a computer for prolonged periods

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or five or more years of relevant fundraising or sales experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of fundraising experience, with at least 5 years raising over $5M annually.
• Proven track record of growing comprehensive fundraising programs.
• Highly self-motivated and disciplined in setting and achieving goals.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication abilities, both oral and written, with a clear and concise style.
• Demonstrated ability to present to high-level decision-makers.
• Strong data and financial acumen.
• Proficient in using recent versions of computer software applications, including CRMs and presentation software.
• Organized and adept at independently managing projects and meeting deadlines.
• Creative in managing projects with limited resources.
• Ability to work under pressure and be flexible, creative, and enthusiastic.
• Collaborative and supportive team member with both staff and volunteers.
• Ability to engage with individuals from diverse cultures or backgrounds.
• Passion for veterans and their transition, with a commitment to the organization's mission.
• Experience in developing strong corporate partnerships for a nonprofit organization.
• Ability to explain the value proposition for corporate partnerships with nonprofit organizations.
• Must be able to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed.

Workshops for Warriors has retained the services of Charity Search Group to coordinate the search for this position. To apply, please complete this online application. If you have questions or need accommodations, please contact Mariya Yurukova at mariya@charitysearchgroup.com or visit www.charitysearchgroup.com

Workshops for Warriors is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to having a workforce that reflects diversity at all levels of the organization. We recognize the importance of not viewing individuals based on a single identity, and we thrive on being equitable in our recruitment process as well as in our efforts to be inclusive of all employees.