Director of Development

Oakland Lacrosse Club

At Oakland Lacrosse, established in 2012, we believe in the power of team sports to unleash the full potential in each young person. We do so by establishing long standing relationships with our players, families, and schools and building an environment throughout all of our teams that creates positive peer relationships, develops their confidence to overcome challenges, and connects them to a network of resources. Our year round program provides free access to the sport and a holistic approach that includes leadership development, academic counseling, and wellness education for youth from Oakland Public Schools in grades 6-12. Currently we serve over 200 youth at nine partner schools with plans over the next five years to expand our program to over 500 youth at 18 partner schools.

Development Director Position Overview:

The Oakland Lacrosse Club is hiring our first Development Director to lead fundraising and manage a full-time Development & Communications Coordinator. Reporting to the Founder and Executive Director, who is versed and comfortable with fundraising, the Development Director is a key leadership team member making strategic decisions impacting across the entire organization. In partnership with the Executive Director and in collaboration with our 16-person Board of Directors, and an engaged Development Committee, this position is responsible for developing our fundraising strategy to sustain existing relationships and build new ones to raise Oakland Lacrosse’s visibility, impact, and financial resources. As a member of the Executive Team, this position will work in partnership with the Executive Director to raise over two million dollars annually (70% from individual donors).

Major Responsibilities:

• Strategy and Leadership: In collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors develop a multi-year fundraising plan with clear measures of success, alignment to Oakland Lacrosse’s strategic plan, and effective engagement of our board, development committee and staff to scale and sustain fundraising initiatives.
• Prospecting, Stewarding, and Soliciting Individual Donors: Lead efforts to steward and grow a portfolio of ~100 individual donors from the $1K-$100K level. Actively prospect and solicit new donors and manage a pipeline of potential supporters. Support Executive Director in writing proposals and stewarding top investors in the organization.
• Directly manage the Development & Communications Coordinator, providing guidance, feedback, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Oversee and implement donor communication strategies (e.g., annual email campaigns) with operational support from the Development & Communications Coordinator.
• Event Management: Lead the planning and execution of key donor events, including stewardship dinners, a lacrosse tournament, a golf event, and others. Work with the Development & Communications Coordinator to manage event logistics, invitations, communications, and donor engagement.
• Oversee and direct the grant process, including monthly check-ins with the contract grant writer. Manage the grant calendar and provide guidance on proposals, reporting, and tracking.
• Monitor and regularly report on the progress of the development plan.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Director of Operations and Board Development Committee on annual budget formation and management.
• Collaborate across teams on organization-wide projects related to strategic planning, coach development initiatives, and key priorities aligned with the annual organizational OKRS.
• Collaborate as a key member of OLC’s Leadership Team, partnering with the Executive Director, Operations Director, and Program Managers to align fundraising initiatives with OKRs and communicate strategy across the entire organization. The Development Director should be comfortable working with a diverse group of stakeholders that includes OLC board, staff, donors, coaches, families, youth, and volunteers.

Qualifications & Skillsets of the Ideal Candidate

Below are qualities and experiences we think will help a candidate be successful in this role. Please think of these as guidance, not requirements, and apply if you’re excited about the possibility of what we can achieve together.

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Characteristics & qualities

• 3-6 years of demonstrated success in fundraising, with leadership and management experience.
• You are a fundraising professional, excited about the ability for fundraising to enact instrumental change both within an organization and for its program participants.
• Leverage exceptional verbal and written communication skills to engage and cultivate relationships with a diverse set of donors, effectively conveying the organization’s mission, vision, and fundraising priorities through tailored messaging and strategic outreachYou have a true interest in equity in urban education. You understand the power of youth development and how team sports can have high barriers to entry, and you want to be part of improving opportunity.
• You have a strong learning orientation. You accept and incorporate direct feedback readily because it helps you and the organization improve.
• You are a strong listener and communicator, excited to serve as a face of OLC – sharing our core values, program, and impact. You’ve planned for and led high-stakes conversations, and you’ve been told your presentations are engaging and clear.
• You have a high level of self-awareness, humility, and emotional intelligence.
• You are a data-driven and rigorous thinker. You sweat the small stuff, always follow through on your commitments, and are meticulous about documenting, communicating, and organizing your work.
• You are excellent at building and stewarding authentic relationships, and deftly navigate operational and organizational hurdles to make partnerships work. You’re great at building trust and establishing consensus within and across diverse groups.
• We also are particularly enthusiastic about candidates who share proximity to our players — candidates who were part of a team sport that shaped them in some meaningful way.