Position 

Description

The Director of Advancement will lead all aspects of Outward Bound California fundraising and external communications, including a multi-year development strategy encompassing the Community Fund, a growing Major Gifts program, robust Institutional Giving program, and a Capital Campaign. 

Outward Bound California seeks a dynamic, systems-driven and human-oriented leader who believes in the power of outdoor education and who can advance the organization and its fundraising, brand and communications to the next level of sophistication and excellence.

Who We Are

Outward Bound California (OBCA) is a state-wide non-profit that uses challenging experiences in outdoor settings to create social-emotional learning opportunities for our students (ages 12 and up, including adults). From our 1-day programs on our San Francisco Challenge Course to multi-day rock climbing and backpacking in the High Sierra and Joshua Tree, OBCA encourages our students to tap into their inherent potential as compassionate leaders and active participants in their communities. OBCA is deeply committed to increasing access for those who have traditionally been excluded from outdoor spaces. We do this, in part, through our 40 community partnerships and by offering partial or full scholarships to over two-thirds of our students. 

We believe that all people should have safe access to the outdoors and culturally relevant and responsive educational programming. OBCA is also striving to create an equitable and inclusive internal culture where all staff members feel represented and honored for their identities and lived experiences. We examine how power, bias, race and other aspects of identity impact our organization. We work to build a culture where we are always learning and improving toward a vision for equity and belonging for all staff. We are looking for team members who can actively join us in this process. We are also committed to reflecting the diverse communities with whom we work and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ identifying folks, and women to apply.

Who You Are

Knowledge & Skills

• Have a knowledge of and personal commitment to the mission of Outward Bound with a deep understanding of the value and important of equity and inclusion in the outdoors

• Team-focused with strong personal initiative and follow through
• Creative approach to new and emerging fundraising strategies and an ability to budget for and employ new opportunities
• Excellent written and verbal communication to a diverse group of stakeholders
• Knowledge of the California-based philanthropic community that supports social, educational, and/or environmental programs
• Ability to manage complex project budgets and monitor expenses
• An intuitive and thoughtful approach to staff and team development and innovative advancement practices

Experience

• Seven years or more of progressively challenging fundraising experience with quantifiable results
• Experience growing a major gifts program in a small to mid-size organization or managing major gift officers at a larger organization
• Experience inspiring, leading, and managing a team of fundraising professionals including a proven ability to hire, train, manage, and retain staff
• Working knowledge of development software programs and database systems, with Salesforce experience preferred
• Experience working with boards and staff, including establishing strategic goals, crafting multi-faceted program plans and supporting a strong team with the agency and resources needed to succeed

Physical & Mental Requirements 

• Ability to stay calm and focused in a fast-paced environment

Onboarding Requirements (Upon Hire)

• Able to pass a federal & Live Scan background check (cost of all screening paid for or reimbursed by OBCA)

Bonus if you…

• Have a CFRE or other fundraising credential

• Are experienced with acquisition and/or a sophisticated annual fund using the latest fundraising technology.

Responsibilities

• The Director of Advancement is responsible for $2.2+ million in revenue annually, including institutional, major gifts, annual fund and special event fundraising
• Lead a team of five professionals to meet all the fundraising, marketing and outreach goals of OBCA
• Develop comprehensive strategic and project plans designed to progressively grow aspects of fundraising annually
• Expand OBCA’s corporate and institutional support through relationship building and grant management
• Engage major donors and annual fund donors in multiple touchpoints each year, including casual in-person gatherings, email/mail/phone communications, special events and unique opportunities with OBCA
• Work with the advancement team and outside support to expand OBCA’s annual fund to include an acquisition program and strengthened parent and alumni programs
• Participate as a member of the OB USA’s development director roundtable and other national efforts to partner with Outward Bound schools
• Facilitate the implementation of OBCA’s strategic plan
• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Group and participate in organization-wide decisions as needed

Safety and Risk Management

• Support crisis communication as a member of the leadership team and as the supervisor of the communications and marketing staff
• Uphold Outward Bound’s zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect. Protecting our minor students against abuse and neglect is of the highest priority
• Support in critical incident responses which may require after work hours and happen during scheduled time off 

Benefits, Compensation, and Location

Compensation

This is a Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried position

Salary commensurate with experience within the anticipated range of $120,000-$130,000

Benefits

• OBCA offers a competitive benefits package, including comprehensive health insurance with employer contribution, long-term disability and life insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, and 401(k) plan participation with employer match after one year of employment.

• Opportunities for professional development.
• ProDeal, an opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at a discounted price.

Location

This position is remote and must be California-based with travel between Northern and Southern California. Strong preference for people located in the broader Bay Area. Exceptional candidates may be considered from the Los Angeles area.

Outward Bound California is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Outward Bound California also promotes respect for all people, and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics.