Job Title: Senior Director, Development - Northern California

Department: Development

Location: Remote/Virtual, Los Angeles or San Francisco

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Development

Classification: Exempt

Position Type: Full-Time Employee

Anticipated Pay Range at Commencement of Employment: $106,000 - $146,000

*The Senior Director must reside near Los Angeles or San Francisco.

General Description

The Senior Director, Development - Los Angeles/San Francisco serves as the lead fundraising strategist and major gifts officer for Blue Star Families within the Northern California region. This role is responsible for cultivating high-net-worth individuals, corporate leaders, family foundations, and institutional partners across California market.

California represents a high-opportunity philanthropic market characterized by significant wealth concentration, corporate philanthropy, technology sector leadership, and innovation-driven giving. The Senior Director must possess strong working knowledge of the regional philanthropic climate, including venture philanthropy, donor-advised funds, family foundations, and corporate social responsibility networks.

This position manages a defined major gift portfolio and is accountable for revenue generation, pipeline development, and strategic donor engagement within the region. The Senior Director collaborates closely with Development leadership, Chapter Support, Events, and national fundraising initiatives to maximize regional impact.

While this role is remote, regular local travel and periodic out-of-town, overnight travel is an essential function. In-person time is critical to how we work - enabling deep collaboration, team alignment, creative problem-solving, and a shared sense of purpose. Team members are expected to travel several times per year for offsites, planning sessions, and company-wide gatherings. These events are essential for contributing to team outcomes, building trust across the organization, and staying aligned in a distributed environment. Participation in these in-person gatherings is a required part of the role and integral to successful performance in our remote-first organization.

Key Job Functions

• Develop and manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects with a focus on gifts of $25,000 and above.
• Identify and cultivate major and principal gift prospects within the Northern California market.
• Build and implement a regional fundraising strategy aligned with enterprise revenue goals.
• Engage technology-sector leaders, corporate partners, and family foundations.
• Leverage regional events and engagement opportunities as cultivation and pipeline-building platforms.
• Partner with Development leadership to align Northern California fundraising efforts with capital, annual, and national campaigns.
• Track portfolio activity, pipeline progression, and revenue forecasting using CRM systems.
• Represent Blue Star Families at regional philanthropic, corporate, and civic gatherings.
• Travel regularly within the region and nationally as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Experience, Skills & Background

• 7-10+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts of $25,000+ and principal gifts.
• Strong understanding of Northern California's philanthropic and corporate landscape.
• Experience engaging high-net-worth individuals, technology leaders, and family foundations.
• Ability to operate independently in a regional leadership role.
• Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred).
• Ability to travel regionally on a regular basis.
• Ability to travel overnight several times per year for organizational gatherings and donor engagement.
• May be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary to carry out key job functions.
• Ability to lift and carry supplies and equipment up to 30 lbs.

Desired Experience, Skills & Background

• Experience fundraising within high-wealth markets.
• Familiarity with donor-advised funds and venture philanthropy models.
• Experience working in national nonprofit organizations with regional structures.
• Established relationships within Bay Area philanthropic networks.

Why Blue Star Families?

• Mission-driven work supporting military service members and their families
• Flexible work options (remote, or hybrid depending on the role)
• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Flexible Spending Accounts, life insurance, and disability insurance
• Communications allowance
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• PCS leave for Active Duty military spouses