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Vice President of Development

This position is fully remote. Residency in California is required.

About Seneca Family of Agencies

Seneca Family of Agencies is a leading nonprofit dedicated to providing unconditional care to children and families across California and Washington. With an annual operating budget of approximately $200 million, Seneca delivers a broad continuum of services that meets children and families wherever they are, from mental health and education to foster care, crisis intervention, and community-based programs.

Founded more than three decades ago, Seneca has grown into one of the most expansive social services organizations on the West Coast. The organization believes that no challenge is unsolvable and that no child or family should be turned away. Seneca influences policy, designs custom programs tailored to specific community needs, and integrates them sustainably with existing government-led initiatives to create lasting change.

In recent years, Seneca has navigated significant organizational growth and evolution, including the absorption of two established organizations that expanded its regional footprint and the transition to a new CEO and executive leadership team, following the retirement of its founder of 37 years. Under new leadership, Seneca is embarking on a deliberate effort to build its philanthropic infrastructure, positioning private giving as a key pillar of long-term organizational resilience.

Opportunity Highlights

• Salary Range: $165,000-$179,000 commensurate with experience, with annual increases
• Benefits include:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, and acupuncture coverage
  • 50% of dependent premiums covered by Seneca
  • Long-term disability, family leave, and life insurance
  • 403(b) retirement plan
  • Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program
  • Five weeks of paid time off plus 11 paid holidays
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) certified employer
  • Robust professional development, scholarship, and internal promotion opportunities

You Are

• A strategic fundraiser who can align philanthropic goals with organizational mission and inspire others to execute with excellence.
• Experienced in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift relationships with individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Skilled at building systems and infrastructure where they do not yet exist comfortable being a builder as much as a manager.
• Experienced in working with boards, executive leadership, and community leaders to advance a culture of philanthropy.
• An effective leader of diverse, high-performing teams, with a track record of developing staff and fostering collaboration across departments.
• Deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and the communities that Seneca servesthose who have historically been underserved by traditional systems of care.

Position Overview

The Vice President of Development provides strategic leadership and direction for all fundraising and philanthropic programs at Seneca Family of Agencies. This is a transformative opportunity to lead a growing development function at an organization that is, for the first time in its history, prioritizing philanthropy as a strategic imperative.

Over the past five years, Seneca has raised $28 million in philanthropic funds, averaging $5.6 million annually. An independent philanthropic assessment has identified more than $16 million in major giving potential from within the existing donor pool, with over 450 prospective major gift donors not yet assigned to a portfolio. The Vice President of Development will lead the team and systems needed to activate this potential and build Seneca's philanthropic program toward goals of $7.5 million within three years and $10 million within five years.

Reporting Relationships

The Vice President of Development reports to the Chief Financial Officer and serves as a member of Seneca's senior leadership team. This position oversees a development team currently comprising five of eight budgeted roles, with responsibility for expanding frontline fundraising capacity. The VP will work closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Community Leadership Boards to advance Seneca's philanthropic mission across California and Washington.

Primary Responsibilities

Lead and Execute Comprehensive Fundraising Strategy

• Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with Seneca's mission and strategic plan, with goals of $5.6 million annually in the near term, $7.5 million within three years, and $10 million within five years.
• Oversee all development functions, including major gifts, planned giving, annual fund, corporate and foundation relations, grant management, and special events.
• Partner with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Community Leadership Boards to align fundraising priorities with organizational strategy.
• Develop solicitation plans with clear messaging, strategic timing, and disciplined follow-through.

Build Transformative Donor Relationships

• Personally manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects (individuals, corporations, and foundations) with a focus on cultivating six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Develop and implement strategies to advance donors from mid-level to major gift levels.
• Lead foundation partnership strategy, sustaining existing institutional relationships while building a pipeline of new funders.
• Steward Community Leadership Boards in Seneca's key regions and establish new boards in areas with significant fundraising potential.

Inspire and Lead a High-Performing Team

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing development team, filling vacant roles and reorganizing the structure to increase frontline capacity and regional engagement.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and accountability, establishing clear performance metrics and data-driven approaches to track donor progress and team effectiveness.
• Ensure meaningful collaboration between the Development team, Strategic Initiatives, Marketing, Communications, and Program leadership.
• Partner with the Board to cultivate board members as active fundraising ambassadors and deepen board engagement in philanthropy.

Drive Organizational Impact

• Translate Seneca's programs, outcomes, and theory of change into compelling narratives that inspire major philanthropic investment.
• Establish reporting structures and norms that keep leadership informed of philanthropic progress and pipeline health.
• Integrate CRM systems, analytics, and digital tools to support effective donor engagement, stewardship, and gift processing.
• Develop and manage the fundraising budget; ensure compliance with ethical fundraising standards and applicable data privacy laws.

Competencies

• Ten or more years of progressive fundraising experience, including a minimum of five years in a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated track record in major gift fundraising and campaign management, including securing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Experience managing comprehensive development operations, including major gifts, foundation relations, planned giving, annual fund, and events.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire diverse, high-performing fundraising teams.
• Entrepreneurial, energetic, and resilient leadership style that builds authentic, lasting donor relationships.
• Strategic thinker who thrives in a mission-driven, collaborative environment and can translate organizational vision into actionable fundraising strategy.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, from community members to board leaders and major donors.
• Experience collaborating with boards of directors and senior executives to advance a culture of philanthropy.
• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree or CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) credential preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 50% of the time across California and Washington. Must reside in California.

Equity Statement

Seneca Family of Agencies is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Seneca believes that a diverse team makes the organization stronger and more effective. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.