About this opportunity
Opportunity Overview
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is hiring a Development Director to lead fundraising for its Sacramento/Turlock region in California. This full-time role reports to the Executive Director and sits on the region's senior leadership team. The salary range is $109,416 to $117,354, and the position allows hybrid work with at least three days per week in the office. The Development Director oversees all resource mobilization efforts for the region. That means building relationships with local corporate and foundation donors, planning special events, and coordinating with IRC headquarters fundraising teams. The person in this role will also supervise the Sacramento-Turlock grants team and work closely with program staff to identify funding needs and create strategies to meet them. It is a leadership position that combines hands-on fundraising with strategic planning and team management. The IRC was founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein and has grown into one of the world's largest humanitarian organizations. It operates in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, responding to conflicts and natural disasters by restoring health, safety, education, and economic wellbeing. The organization employs thousands of staff worldwide and is known for its work with refugees and displaced people. The Sacramento/Turlock office focuses on refugee resettlement and integration services in California's Central Valley. Sacramento is California's capital, a city of about 500,000 people with a lower cost of living than the Bay Area, though still above the national average. The Central Valley has a strong agricultural economy and a growing nonprofit sector. The region is home to a diverse population, including many refugee communities. Working here means regular travel between the Sacramento and Turlock offices, plus occasional evening and weekend events. California has strong labor protections, and the IRC offers a competitive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement matching, and paid time off.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan with specific, measurable goals for restricted and unrestricted funds
- Execute special fundraising campaigns through digital and traditional channels in partnership with HQ Mass Markets teams
- Cultivate national partnerships with companies and foundations based in the Sacramento/Central Valley region, coordinating with the HQ Institutional Philanthropy & Partnerships team
- Support qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of local high-value donors in collaboration with the USA Philanthropy team
- Oversee preparation of letters of inquiry, proposals, budgets, and reports to local foundations and potential donors
- Work with local programming staff to identify funding needs and create strategic plans to secure support
- Organize annual fundraisers and other special events
- Develop corporate donor engagement opportunities aligned with program needs and donor interests
- Serve as the main liaison between Sacramento-Turlock and HQ fundraising teams
- Provide high-level oversight for the Sacramento-Turlock grants team
- Coordinate with Resource & Development Coordinators across the region to align volunteer and financial support
- Represent the IRC at meetings, seminars, and forums to raise awareness about the organization
- Recruit, hire, train, and supervise development-related interns and volunteers
- Maintain ongoing communication on resource development initiatives and report on management issues
- Participate actively on the Sacramento-Turlock Leadership Team
- Work with the Executive Director on opportunities to highlight local and global IRC work
- Handle other tasks as assigned
Benefits
- Salary range of $109,416 to $117,354, based on work location, experience, and skills
- 10 sick days, 10 U.S. holidays, and 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure
- Medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and commuter costs
- 403b retirement savings plan with immediately vested matching
- Disability and life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program available to staff and their families for counseling and mental health support
- Hybrid work schedule with minimum three days per week in the office
Requirements & Qualifications
- University degree (BA/BS) required; graduate degree in Development, Nonprofit Management, Business Management, or International Relations preferred
- Minimum of five years of experience leading fundraising, communications, public relations, and other development duties in the nonprofit sector
- Impeccable attention to detail
- Experience with Salesforce strongly preferred
- Strong writing skills required
- Strong donor network in the Sacramento/Central Valley region preferred
- Demonstrated record of foundation and donor relations, including successful private foundation grant proposals
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work diplomatically with donors, volunteers, partner agencies, government officials, multi-cultural clients, and colleagues at all levels
- Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment
- Experience coordinating multiple partners and building consensus toward a common goal
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Word, Excel, and Outlook, plus internet research
- Strong organizational, leadership, and team-building skills with the ability to promote productivity and efficiency
How to Apply
- Review the responsibilities and qualifications to confirm your experience matches the role.
- Prepare your resume and a cover letter highlighting your fundraising leadership experience.
- Click the Apply button below to submit your application.
Official Application Strategy & Insights
Selection Committee Priorities
- •Academic/Professional Alignment: Ensure your statement explicitly ties your past work in to International Rescue Committee (IRC)'s strategic goals.
- •Leadership Evidence: Selection panels heavily weigh demonstrated initiative, community impact, or research output.
- •Financial & Language Prerequisites: Confirm if Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificates can substitute for formal standardized language test fees.
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