Director of Development

Start Date: Immediate; no later than March 2026

Position: Onsite, full-time, exempt employee

Schedule: Weekdays, occasional evenings and weekends required

Location:

Westlake Village, CA, with travel throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding regions

Santa Monica Mountains Fund (SAMO Fund) seeks a full-time Director of Development to lead and execute the organization’s fundraising and donor engagement efforts. This is a senior, results-oriented role responsible for advancing annual and long-term philanthropic revenue, strengthening donor relationships, and supporting SAMO Fund’s mission in close partnership with the Executive Director, Board, the National Park Service, and California State Parks.

SAMO Fund is a small, highly collaborative administrative team. The Director of Development must be comfortable wearing multiple hats, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution, and adapting to evolving organizational needs.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year development plan to increase annual revenue, diversify funding sources, and support long-term organizational sustainability.
• Establish clear, measurable fundraising goals and performance indicators; regularly track progress and adjust strategies in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board.
• Plan and implement fundraising objectives, strategies, budgets, initiatives, and timelines aligned with SAMO Fund priorities and partnerships with the National Park Service and California State Parks.
• Contribute to organizational planning by aligning development strategy with programmatic growth and capacity.

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Oversee donor programs, including stewardship strategy, communications, logistics, and relationship management.
• Conduct prospect research and donor intelligence activities to prioritize outreach and align prospects with SAMO Fund initiatives.
• Oversee donor onboarding, retention, renewal, and acknowledgment processes.
• Develop a compelling case for support for SAMO Fund programs and initiatives.
• Create and implement a donor recognition plan.
• Strategically steward new and existing donors to deepen engagement and long-term commitment.
• Attend outreach events and meetings to cultivate relationships and identify new prospects.
• Provide a high level of professionalism and responsiveness to donors, partners, and the community.

• Work with the Executive Director to develop and implement an annual donor-focused communications strategy.
• Oversee donor communications including newsletters, annual appeals, stewardship reports, and campaign materials.
• Prepare or coordinate production of mailings, brochures, annual reports, website content, and event materials in collaboration with graphic and communications support.
• Craft clear, compelling donor-centered stories that communicate impact.
• Cooperate closely with Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the National Park Service, and California State Parks personnel.
• Serve as an external ambassador for SAMO Fund with donors, partners, and at select community events.

• Strategize, design, and manage donor and community engagement events, including annual fundraising events.
• Manage event budgets, logistics, timelines, and coordination of staff and volunteers.
• Support mission-based events that strengthen donor relationships and community connection.

• Attend and coordinate Fundraising and Outreach Committee meetings in partnership with the Executive Director.
• Support committee members with materials, planning, and follow-up.
• Collaborate with Board members to support donor cultivation and fundraising initiatives.

• Oversee effective use of the Little Green Light CRM to support donor stewardship, prospect tracking, reporting, and data-informed fundraising strategy.
• Ensure accurate donor records, gift processing, acknowledgments, and reporting.
• Maintain…