Director of Development

Director of Development

Location National City, CA 91950 Date Posted June 26, 2026 Job ID 14758 Employment Type Retained

Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct the search for the Director of Development at Episcopal Community Services an organization impacting students, clients, families, and community members through its work in homelessness, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and early childhood education. This is a full-time, onsite position based in San Diego, CA.

ABOUT EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY SERVICES:

Episcopal Community Services (ECS) is a nonprofit organization rooted in a tradition of action and faith, delivering over $45M in health and human services annually to more than 10,500 clients and family members across the San Diego region. Founded in 1927 to serve those who might otherwise be forgotten, ECS has grown into one of San Diego's most impactful human services organizations.

ECS operates from a deep belief that every person deserves the opportunity to thrive. That conviction shapes everything from frontline service delivery to organizational strategy, grounding the work in both compassion and accountability. With a mission to cultivate a strong, vibrant, and just San Diego region, ECS bridges gaps in care that too often go unaddressed, meeting people at their most vulnerable and walking alongside them toward stability and self-sufficiency.

Originally incorporated in 1955 with its first government contract to provide counseling and employment support for men released from prison, ECS has continually expanded its scope to meet the evolving needs of the community it serves. Today, the organization operates with the same founding spirit, a commitment to equity, dignity, and the belief that an abundant society is one where all people have unlimited potential. ECS remains a cornerstone of the San Diego region, delivering life-changing services with urgency, heart, and purpose.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director of Development reports to the Vice President of Strategic Engagement and serves as a key leader in advancing ECS' mission, philanthropic growth, and long-term sustainability. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of ECS by leading the organization's development strategy, strengthening community investment, and expanding its capacity for impact.

Working in close partnership with the CEO, Vice President of Strategic Engagement, Board of Directors, program leaders, and community stakeholders, the Director of Development will deepen donor relationships, diversify and grow revenue opportunities, and foster a culture of philanthropy that is woven throughout the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Lead ECS' development strategy, annual fundraising plan, and development calendar in alignment with the organization's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability.
• Set annual and multi-year goals to grow and diversify revenue across major gifts, individual giving, capital campaigns, planned giving, institutional funding, special events, parish engagement, and in-kind gifts.

Fundraising, Donor Engagement & Special Events

• Manage a portfolio of 100+ donors and prospects to secure major gifts and grow philanthropic support.
• Lead fundraising efforts across all development programs and activities, including capital campaign planning and execution to advance program expansion priorities.
• Build and manage a major gifts program and pipeline by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding current and prospective donors.
• Oversee donor stewardship strategies, including acknowledgment, recognition, and engagement, that strengthen retention and long-term support.
• Lead the planning and execution of special events that deepen donor engagement, expand community support, and generate revenue.

Grants & Institutional Funding

• Oversee grant proposals, reports, and supporting materials for foundation, corporate, government, and other institutional funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with program leadership to develop compelling grant narratives and strengthen institutional funding in alignment with ECS' priorities and program goals.

Board & Community Engagement

• Support the CEO in developing donor cultivation plans for board members to ensure meaningful philanthropic investment.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors' Resource Development Committee and support its fundraising priorities.
• Cultivate relationships with Episcopal parishes, faith communities, volunteers, and community partners in support of ECS as a faith-based organization.
• Represent ECS in donor, parish, community, and fundraising settings, as appropriate.

Leadership & Operations

• Lead the Development team through annual goal setting, performance management, and ongoing staff evaluation across all giving programs.
• Build, mentor, and grow the Development team as the function scales, including helping to shape new roles as they are added.
• In partnership with the Finance Department, develop and manage the annual development budget, revenue projections, and performance targets, while monitoring progress toward fundraising goals.
• Oversee development operations, including donor database management, gift tracking, acknowledgment processes, and reporting.
• Maintain systems, workflows, fundraising metrics, and operational practices that support an organized, data-informed development function.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit administration, business administration, communications, public administration, or a related field, with at least five to seven years of progressively responsible fundraising and staff management experience, or equivalent related experience.
• Proven success securing gifts of $25,000 or more, with demonstrated experience leading planned giving, capital campaigns, and grant funding strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop persuasive donor materials, cases for support, and grant proposals and reports in collaboration with program leadership.
• Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal, and donor cultivation skills.
• Proficiency in Raiser's Edge, prospect research tools, and Microsoft Office.
• Strong organizational skills, sound judgment, discretion, and experience in budget development and administration.
• CFRE designation is a plus.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet donor engagement and organizational needs.
• Must pass a criminal background check through Live Scan fingerprinting, the FBI, and the Department of Justice.
• Pre-hire medical clearance required, including drug/alcohol and TB screening.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This full-time, onsite role offers a competitive salary range of $135,000-$145,000 (DOE), along with a comprehensive benefits package. This includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, with the organization covering 100% of Basic Life and AD&D insurance, as well as Long-Term Disability coverage. The role also comes with a 401(k) retirement plan with a 3% employer contribution, a robust Employee Assistance Program offering free counseling and chat therapy support, generous paid time off and company-paid holidays, and flexible spending account options for healthcare and dependent care expenses.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS:

Episcopal Family Services has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in recruiting for mission-driven organizations, to assist in conducting this important search. For immediate consideration, please apply with your resume and cover letter, formatted in Microsoft Word, via: https://scionexecutivesearch.com/job/14758

Please address applications to:

Ellen Johnson, Executive Recruiter

Scion Executive Search

Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.

ABOUT OUR FIRM:

Scion Executive Search is an award-winning retained executive search firm. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the United States. Through innovative team building and recruitment solutions, Scion Executive Search seamlessly bridges the gap in interim and executive searches. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the nation.??

We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm as well as a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm and our practices can be found online.

Scion Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent. ??

For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.