Director of Strategic Development

The Director of Strategic Development is a senior leader responsible for driving NET’s growth, sustainability, and long-term vision. This role blends strategic planning, business development, fundraising, and partnership-building to ensure NET thrives in a competitive and evolving landscape. The ideal candidate is a visionary strategist with proven experience in grant procurement, donor advancement, and cross-sector partnerships, combined with strong leadership and communications skills. This is a full-time, exempt position. The successful candidate will report to the Executive Director and manage all Development Department employees.

Strategic Development

• Responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives to achieve organizational objectives and drive growth
• Works with the Executive Director to promote organizational sustainability and growth
• Provides strategic leadership to internal teams and external partners
• Works closely with senior leadership to set goals, communicate strategies, and guide the organization toward its vision
• Addresses challenges that arise during the strategic planning and implementation process, such as shifts in the competitive landscape or regulatory changes
• Researches and analyzes market trends to identify new opportunities and potential challenges
• Leads the organization's business development in seeking new revenue streams and forming strategic partnerships
• Identifies multi-channel opportunities and plans that supports sustainable growth, strengthens donor engagement and achieves annual goals
• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with external partners, such as elected offices, agency representatives, and key partners to facilitate collaboration and drive strategic partnerships

Grants

• Leads and oversees public and private-sector grant procurement
• Solicits gifts and corporate sponsorships, creating annual campaigns, producing special events, and managing donor cultivation efforts
• Provides support as needed for fund solicitation
• Develops and implements the fundraising plan in concert with organizational strategic priorities
• Performs and/or manages government, foundation, subgranting, and corporate opportunities
• Leads team assessment of new grant opportunities through regular consultative grant strategy workshops with senior staff
• Recommends grant programs and applications that progress NET’s priorities and mission
• Attends community meetings and participates in webinars and grant related workshops
• Leads the cultivation and, management of relationships with grant program staff
• With a view towards successful implementation, provides guidance and assistance to NET project staff
• Responsible for grant budget development and new project hand off to department leads and project managers
• Supports grant compliance and reporting requirements

Donor Advancement

• Cultivates and stewards’ donors at all levels
• Researches, builds relationships, and seeks funding from foundations, corporations, business groups, individuals
• Develops, implements, and expands NET’s annual gifts campaign, including monthly donations, crowdfunding, corporate matching, stock donations, charitable distributions, corporate sponsorships
• Provides ongoing cultivation and stewardship of donors at all levels
• Co-leads the utilization and management of NET’s donor relationship management system, ensuring timely and accurate record keeping and timely donor acknowledgment
• Oversees social media and website fundraising in collaboration with Development Manager
• Supports goal of 100% Board participation in fundraising efforts
• Works with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to build a culture of resource development and philanthropy throughout the organization
• Supports and helps the Board fundraising committee to best achieve fundraising plans
• Assists with Board development and onboarding
• Builds, maintains, and grows relationships with nonprofit conservation organizations, federal and state agencies, tribal governments, and other public and private stakeholders
• Oversees the Donor Management System

Communications

• Oversees NET’s external donor-facing communications, such as social media content, e-newsletter, donor solicitation
• Supports NET’s media engagement efforts, and is available to speak as an external spokesperson for the organization
• Leads and oversees NET development events
• Represents the organization at external events

Administration

• Prepares regular reports
• Manages development and Marketing-communications for staff and subcontractors, fostering a high performing, accountable and collaborative team
• Oversees workflows and processes, including setting clear goals to ensure the team operates efficiently and is aligned with organizational priorities
• Collaborates with finance leadership to set annual budgeting, forecasting, and reporting
• Supervises and leads the development team to ensure adoption of best practices, professional growth, accountability and collaboration within the team and across departments
• Evaluates and monitors the effectiveness of goals and objectives, making recommendations for improvements as needed
• Provides insights and recommendations to senior leadership, enabling informed decision-making and effective resource allocation

Qualifications/Skills:

• Strong grant writing, research, and communication abilities
• Extensive experience managing major gifts, donor campaigns, corporate and foundation relationships
• Significant experience in business development, strategy, management, and relevant industry sectors is crucial for this senior-level position
• Attention to detail to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively
• Experience in CA and Los Angeles environmental efforts
• Experience with the successful event planning, production, and management
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively with external stakeholders and the Board of Directors
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational, multitasking and prioritizing skills
• Ability to understand organizational needs and strengths to formulate persuasive storytelling that secures funding
• Financial and budget skills
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in the Google Office Suite as well as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, and CRM tools
• Strong knowledge of public and private funders
• Strong ability to prioritize and multitask
• A commitment to and ability to work in diverse communities
• Extensive skills in using social media and communication platforms
• Ability to work evening hours, occasional weekends
• Creativity and latitude are needed. Additionally, this position requires willingness to learn new programs
• Analytical Skills: Ability to process data, identify trends, and develop effective solutions to complex business problems
• Leadership: Proven ability to guide teams, influence stakeholders, and drive initiatives to successful completion
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and presentation skills to effectively communicate strategies and plans across the organization

Education and Experience:

• A relevant undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university. Work experience in these fields will be considered in lieu of a degree
• At least 3 years of experience writing and receiving multimillion-dollar government grants, with a proven track record of success

North East Trees is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and gives all applicants for employment equal consideration regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, arrest record, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, transgender status, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Upon request and consistent with applicable laws, North East Trees will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation to fully participate in the application process.

NET offers generous benefits which include 12 NET Paid Holidays, Health & Dental Ins., Personal Leave, and Vacation, in accordance with NET’s benefits policies.