WCLP - Development Director

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About the Organization

Western Center on Law & Poverty (Western Center) is one of California’s leading voices for racial and economic justice, using the power of law and policy to transform the systems that perpetuate poverty and inequity. With offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Oakland, Western Center is California’s largest legal services support center and occupies a distinctive role in the state’s civil justice ecosystem. Rather than providing direct legal representation to individuals, the organization works to change the systems, laws, and policies that affect millions of Californians. For six decades, Western Center has helped secure and protect access to housing, health care, economic security, and justice for Californians with low incomes.

The Opportunity

Western Center on Law & Poverty (Western Center) is seeking an experienced, strategic, and relationship-driven Director of Development to strengthen its fundraising function and build the foundation for future growth. Reporting to the Executive Director, this leader will join a close-knit, highly collaborative organization at an important point of transformation. With an annual budget of approximately $7 million, Western Center needs a resourceful, action-oriented development leader who can bring greater structure and consistency to the department - setting clear priorities and goals, strengthening systems and practices, and creating the roadmap needed to position the organization for sustainable growth.

Leading an experienced three-person development team, the Director will bring a proven track record of strategic fundraising leadership demonstrated through multi-year vision and execution across concurrent projects. The Director will bring an ambitious approach to develop and lead fundraising strategies that build upon Western Center's strong institutional giving program and identify opportunities to diversify and grow revenue streams for the organization. They will understand the nuances of fundraising for advocacy, policy, legal services, and systems-change work and be a compelling storyteller who can translate complex issues into an authentic case for investment, inspiring donors to understand both the urgency and impact of Western Center’s mission.

The Director will serve as a trusted fundraising thought partner to the Executive Director, complementing her deep knowledge of advocacy and mission with sophisticated development expertise. They will help shape donor strategy and communications, prepare for important donor conversations and solicitations, determine where leadership engagement can have the greatest impact, and strengthen how Western Center cultivates and stewards significant relationships.

Location, Compensation and Benefits

Western Center operates through offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Oakland. This is a hybrid, primarily remote role for candidates based in California, with a strong preference for someone in the Los Angeles area who can spend one day per week in the Los Angeles office to collaborate with the Executive Director and the development team. The organization offers flexibility while valuing opportunities for in-person connection with colleagues, donors, and partners.

Compensation for this full-time, salaried role ranges from $140,000 - $175,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Western Center offers a generous benefits package that includes fully covered medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents; life insurance; 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions and matching; leave and vacation policies; a paid two weeks December office closure; and support for continued professional development.