Development Director

ABOUT LIFE LEARNING ACADEMY

Life Learning Academy (LLA) is a Bay Area nonprofit that supports disconnected students and transition-age young adults through a comprehensive range of services, including a public charter high school on San Francisco’s Treasure Island, workforce development opportunities, mental health support, and housing for those in need. Founded over 27 years ago as part of a city-wide effort to reform the juvenile justice system, LLA is rooted in the belief that every young person deserves relentless love, accountability, and the chance to build a successful future. Today, LLA is the only public school in California offering no-cost student and alumni housing. For more information, visit www.LifeLearningAcademySF.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

As LLA enters an exciting phase of growth, the Development Director will lead the organization’s fundraising efforts, directly impacting financial sustainability and strategic advancement of its mission. Reporting to the Co-Executive Director, the Development Director will design, implement, oversee, and iterate on comprehensive fund development strategies, cultivate relationships with institutional and individual donors, and strengthen LLA’s grants portfolio. This role requires a seasoned fundraiser with exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and the ability to manage a small, yet critical, department. Concurrent to this hiring process, LLA is currently working with an outside consultant to develop a Strategic Growth Plan designed to support anticipated growth over the next 3-5 years. 

The Development Director will oversee grant writing and foundation stewardship, individual donor strategy, corporate partnerships, annual giving, communications, and departmental data management. The LLA grants portfolio currently accounts for the majority of the organization’s $4.5M budget and includes funding from the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families and the California Department of Education, along with private funders such as Tipping Point Community, Zellerbach Family Foundation, and Walther Family Foundation. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership (35%)

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support organizational growth and sustainability.
• Identify and cultivate new funding opportunities across institutional, corporate, and individual giving streams.
• Set and achieve annual revenue goals in collaboration with the Co-Executive Director.
• Supervise and coach development staff, fostering a culture of excellence and urgency.
• Collaborate with program and impact departments to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities and reporting requirements.

Grant Writing, Reporting, and Management (30%)

Lead the identification, writing, and submission of grant proposals to secure public and private funding.

• Manage departmental accountability, not limited to overseeing the management of the organization’s grant reporting calendar to ensure compliance with funder requirements and internal expectations.
• Work closely with program and finance teams to ensure required data collection, budget development and reporting, and craft compelling narratives for funders.
• Establish efficient systems for tracking deliverables, reporting deadlines, and reporting requirements.

Major Donor & Corporate Relations (15%)

• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, corporate partners, and philanthropic organizations.
• Develop and implement an annual giving strategy, including donor recognition programs and special campaigns.
• Oversee donor engagement activities, including site visits, events, and sponsorship opportunities.
• Provide strategic support to the Board of Directors in their fundraising efforts.

Communications & Marketing (10%)

• Oversee the development and execution of LLA’s communications strategy to enhance visibility and community engagement.
• Guide content creation for newsletters, social media, press releases, and annual reports.
• Ensure alignment between fundraising efforts and external communications.
• Represent LLA at public events, funder meetings, and community engagements.

Data & Systems Management (5%)

• Ensure accurate and efficient donor database management and reporting.
• Oversee gift processing, donor acknowledgments, and stewardship efforts.
• Monitor fundraising performance metrics and adapt strategies accordingly.

Board & Other Leadership Responsibilities (5%)

• Other relevant duties and organization-wide responsibilities will be needed and determined in partnership with the Co-Executive Director and/or Board.

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE QUALIFICATIONS

• Works well in a team and individually
• Flexibility in meeting shifting priorities
• Excellent time management skills
• Demonstrates integrity and accountability
• High-functioning humility, emotional intelligence, and humor 
• Open, effective listener, able to connect with a wide variety of people, personalities, and diverse points of view
• Responsible, communicative, and accountable in a hybrid work environment
• Eager to learn and willing to be coached to increase effectiveness, collaboration, and results
• Places high value on engaging in a culture of integrity, service, adaptability, and responsibility

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Expressed interest and commitment to educational equity
• Deadline-driven with strong detail orientation and consistent follow-through
• Prior experience working in a fundraising department
• Grant writing and reporting experience, preferably in education, human service, and/or government areas
• Strong project management and administrative support skills
• Experience working within complex systems, structures, and dynamics
• Working knowledge of best practices and fundraising trends across 
• Skilled strategic thinker with the ability to generate original content
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and interest in engaging with youth participants respectfully and through a trauma-informed approach
• Effective facilitation skills to lead and support cross functional initiatives
• Instill a sense of accountability across departments by modeling tight deadline and system/process management
• Basic understanding of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
• Proficiency with social media platforms and digital marketing tools
• Willingness to support department and organization-wide initiative, as needed and in service to the mission
• Proficiency in Google Apps and willingness to learn other platforms; DonorPerfect experience a plus

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 7 years of nonprofit development experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Track record of success in cultivating and stewarding individual donors, private foundations, and corporate sponsors.
• Strong grant writing and management experience, particularly with public and private funders.
• Exceptional planning, project management, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and steward donor relationships at all levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives.
• Experience overseeing fundraising communications and marketing initiatives.
• Proficiency in donor databases and CRM systems (DonorPerfect experience a plus).
• Commitment to educational equity and youth development.

SALARY, BENEFITS, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The anticipated salary for this full-time position is $125,000-$135,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications. LLA offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, free onsite parking, and daily lunch prepared by LLA’s culinary program.

Hybrid Work Schedule: This position requires onsite presence three days per week at Life Learning Academy on Treasure Island, San Francisco, with the flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week.

HOW TO APPLY

As an organization that believes in the power of mentorship and role models, members of historically underrepresented groups and individuals with lived experience that parallels that of LLA students are strongly encouraged to apply. Send (1) a cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications, and (2) a resume to kbaker@llasf.org.

LLA is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the School to afford equal employment and advancement opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to: Race; Color; Gender (including gender identity, gender expression, and transgender identity, whether or not the employee is transitioning or has transitioned); Sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to such); Religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices); Marital/registered domestic partner status; Age (forty (40) and over); National origin or ancestry (including native language spoken and possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their presence in the U.S. is authorized by federal law); Physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS); Medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics); Taking of a leave of absence pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), Pregnancy Disability Leave (“PDL”) law, Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”), the Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”), or laws related to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; Genetic information; Sexual orientation; Military and veteran status; or Any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. This policy extends to all job applicants and employees and to all aspects of the employment relationship, including the hiring of new employees and the training, transfer, promotion, discipline, termination, compensation and benefits of existing employees.