Director of Development
The Director of Development leads Seatrees’ comprehensive fundraising strategy, with a primary focus on securing large-scale capital through family foundations, strategic grant-seeking, and brand development partnerships to accelerate global ocean restoration.
This executive-level role demands a sophisticated blend of philanthropic leadership, brand strategy, and institutional giving, leveraging a professional network to close high-impact funding rounds and foster long-term institutional stewardship.
The Director of Development serves as a strategic leader, aligning internal project development with external capital opportunities to scale Seatrees' mission through significant financial growth and brand resonance.
Key Responsibilities
Development Strategy & Institutional Pipeline
● Architect and execute a $5M development pipeline focused on family foundations, national grant programs, High-Net-Worth individuals and enterprise brand partnerships.
● Utilize an extensive professional network to identify and cultivate relationships with family offices and foundations focused on climate resilience, biodiversity, and ocean ecosystem conservation.
● Direct the full capital-raise lifecycle: from high-level brand positioning and prospecting to multi-year institutional grant closing.
● Lead the creation of complex, high-stakes proposals for institutional foundations and global brands, ensuring mission-alignment and value creation at scale.
● Leverage board and leadership networks to unlock partnership opportunities
● Represent Seatrees at industry events, corporate gatherings, and community engagements
Activation & Stewardship
● Collaborate with internal teams (creative, programs, finance, and leadership) to develop proposals, partnership materials, activation themes, and reports and impact storytelling,
● Maintain regular communication with partners and deliver partnership updates, reports, and recognition
● Identify opportunities to grow and expand existing partnerships
Sea House Development
● Engage High-Net-Worth (HNW) individuals and family foundations through exclusive Sea House experiences to secure major gifts.
● Cultivate foundation opportunities where The Sea House provides a place for community engagement and education
Team Leadership
● Mentor junior members of the development team, provide coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations to support professional growth
Operational Excellence
● Use company wide CRM, Salesforce, to track and document notes, reports, interactions milestones and due dates with team members
● Maintain organized records of partnership activity, communications, and proposals
● Contribute to organizational initiatives and strategic projects as needed
Core Skills
● Institutional development and capital campaign leadership
● Family foundation and grant-seeking strategy
● Executive-level relationship building and pitching
● Brand development and strategic storytelling for major gift cultivation
● Proposal development and negotiation
● Cross-functional collaboration
Qualifications
● 5+ years of proven leadership in nonprofit development, institutional fundraising, or family office management with a focus on environmental impact.
● Demonstrated track record of raising six-figure capital through foundation grants and brand partnerships.
● Experience using Salesforce or similar CRM to manage partnerships and track activity
● Deep professional network within the ocean conservation and climate-tech philanthropic community.
● Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal and presentation development
● Ability to work with focused priorities, positivity, independence and strong communication, while collaborating effectively across teams
● Experience supervising, managing and coaching team
● A deep and demonstrated passion for ocean conservation with the ability to serve as a primary brand ambassador.
Additional Requirements
● Ability to work in-person in Encinitas (3-4 days per week onsite) and attend in-person meetings with partners and team members. Viable home set-up to be able to work from home when needed, and ability to travel occasionally (for conferences, key contact meetings with funding contacts, fundraising events, team or project support, or other occasional events).
● Exempt position, requiring full-time commitment during regular office hours, with ability to work after hours and attend evening or weekend events as needed.
● Able and willing to provide hands-on support to event staff and program activations.
● Capital campaign experience a plus.
● Valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation.
● Must be able to remain in a stationary stand/sit position and work routinely on a computer while at work. This role requires constant operation of a computer, calculator, printer and other office devices. Must be able to stand and walk around space and at community events, potentially for extended periods, when needed. This role will also require the occasional lifting of up to 40lbs, which could include moving of furniture and displays as needed, vacuuming, setting up catering, and other similar physical demands.
Benefits
● Major Medical, Dental and Vision insurance, employer share of of premiums covered at 80% for employee and family members, 20% premium cost shared by employee. PPO and HMO options available offering a range of pricing options.
● Group Term life insurance and AD&D, paid by company.
● FSA health savings and dependent care savings accounts optional.
● Simple IRA retirement plan with 1:1 employer match for first 3% saved.
● Two weeks vacation starting package, generous sick leave, standard paid holidays, summer Fridays program.
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR RESUME AND RESPOND TO THE TWO QUESTIONS FOR THIS JOB POSTING AS PART OF YOUR APPLICATION. THE SECOND QUESTION MAY SERVE AS YOUR COVER LETTER.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Sustainable Surf dba Seatrees provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Pay: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Cell phone reimbursement
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Travel reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Please describe your fit for this position, this response can serve as your cover letter.
Experience:
- fundraising and development: 5 years (Preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Encinitas, CA 92024
