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Community Development Director Jobs in California

For The People

Development Director

Oakland, CA · On-site

$135K - $155K/yr

... and strengthening communities for generations to come. We work with elected prosecutors to ... The Development Director will collaborate closely with leaders across the organization to align ...

For The People

Development Director

Oakland, CA

... and strengthening communities for generations to come. We work with elected prosecutors to ... The Development Director will collaborate closely with leaders across the organization to align ...

For The People

Development Director

Oakland, CA · On-site

... PEOPLE Development Director - For The People (FTP) is the national nonprofit working with ... and strengthening communities for generations to come. We work with elected prosecutors to ...

JW House

Development Director

Santa Clara, CA · On-site +1

$80K - $85K/yr

Development Director - Non-Profit Reports to: Executive Director Status: Full Time, Exempt Hours ... community volunteers. Position Summary JW House is seeking a hands-on, strategic Develpoment ...

JW House

Development Director

Santa Clara, CA · On-site +1

$80K - $85K/yr

Development Director - Non-Profit Reports to: Executive Director Status: Full Time, Exempt Hours ... community volunteers. Position Summary JW House is seeking a hands-on, strategic Develpoment ...

One805

Development Director

Santa Barbara, CA · Hybrid

$100K/yr

We're looking for an experienced Development Director who can bring tangible, measurable results ... and community partners with the utmost discretion, converting relationships into results ...

New

PragerU

Development Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

The Development Director will report directly to the Head of Development while working closely with ... Stay informed on fundraising trends and best practices within the nonprofit community Successful ...

PragerU

Development Director

Los Angeles, CA

$110K - $150K/yr

The Development Director will report directly to the Head of Development while working closely with ... Stay informed on fundraising trends and best practices within the nonprofit community Successful ...

YMCA

Development Director

Westlake Village, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

... community for generations. POSITION SUMMARY: Lead all fundraising and philanthropic strategy for ... Essential Functions • Develop and execute a comprehensive development strategy, including major ...

PragerU

Development Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

The Development Director will report directly to the Head of Development while working closely with ... Stay informed on fundraising trends and best practices within the nonprofit community Successful ...

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All JobsCommunity Development JobsCommunity Development Director JobsCommunity Development Director Jobs in California

Community Development Director information

See California salary details

$46.4K

$127.7K

$210.2K

How much do community development director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for community development director in California is $127,721.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,300.00 and $156,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Community Development Director do?

A Community Development Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing programs and initiatives that promote the growth and improvement of a community. This role often involves working with local government, businesses, and residents to develop policies related to housing, land use, economic development, and public services. The director manages staff, secures funding, and ensures that projects align with the community’s goals and regulations. Their work helps create vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive communities.

What is the difference between Community Development Director vs Urban Planner?

AspectCommunity Development DirectorUrban Planner
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration, or related field; often requires experience in community developmentBachelor's or master's degree in urban planning, geography, or related field; certification like AICP is common
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, non-profits, community organizationsMunicipal planning departments, consulting firms, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageLocal governments, non-profits, development agenciesCity planning departments, private consulting firms, government agencies

The Community Development Director focuses on overseeing community growth, housing, and economic development initiatives, often managing teams and programs. Urban Planners primarily analyze land use, develop zoning policies, and create urban designs. While both roles require planning expertise and work within government or related sectors, the Community Development Director has a broader leadership role in community projects, whereas Urban Planners focus more on land use and spatial planning.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Community Development Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Community Development Director, you need strong expertise in urban planning, project management, and a relevant degree such as public administration or urban studies. Familiarity with land use regulations, GIS systems, and grant management software is typically required. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills set top candidates apart in this role. These abilities are crucial for effectively guiding community initiatives, securing funding, and balancing the needs of diverse populations.

What are some common challenges a Community Development Director faces when balancing the needs of various stakeholders?

A Community Development Director often navigates competing interests from local government, residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Balancing these diverse perspectives requires strong communication, negotiation, and consensus-building skills. Directors must ensure that development projects align with community goals while adhering to regulatory requirements and budget constraints. Proactively engaging stakeholders through public meetings and transparent processes helps address concerns and fosters collaboration, though it can be time-consuming and complex.

What Does a Community Development Director Do?

A community development director manages and directs planning and management initiatives for a city organization or community, such as an elderly residential community. As a community development director, your job duties include working closely with community partners, such as businesses, community organizations, and the public, to develop strategies for improving economic, architectural, and community initiatives while preserving neighborhood or community cohesion. You also monitor programs and budgets for department initiatives. Qualifications for this career include a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, education, or public administration as well as several years of experience in public policy and planning and communication and leadership skills.

More about Community Development Director jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Community Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Community Development jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Community Development Director jobs in California? For Community Development Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Community Development Director jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Community Development Director jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Community Development Director jobs? Cities in California with the most Community Development Director job openings:
Community Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Community Development Director job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,721 per year, or $61.4 per hour.

Development Director

For The People

Oakland, CA • On-site

$135K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

FOR THE PEOPLE
Development Director - Job Description
For The People (FTP) is the national nonprofit working with prosecutors to identify people in prison who can be safely released, reuniting families and strengthening communities for generations to come. We work with elected prosecutors to reevaluate past sentences and, where it can be shown that a current sentence is no longer in the interest of justice, we support the prosecuting agencies through the resentencing and prison release process. To learn more, visit fortheppl.org.
About the Position
We are seeking a Development Director to lead For The People's fundraising and development strategy during an exciting period of growth. This is an opportunity to build and strengthen the systems, relationships, and strategies that sustain and expand FTP's impact. Working alongside the CEO, the Development Director will drive efforts to identify, engage, augment, and steward our funders and funding streams as FTP continues to grow and expand.
The Development Director will collaborate closely with leaders across the organization to align fundraising strategy with programmatic priorities, organizational goals, and long-term growth plans. The Development Director will play a key role in helping FTP achieve its fundraising objectives while continuing to strengthen the organization's development function. The successful candidate will bring a fresh perspective and be a creative and strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial spirit, a growth mindset, and a passion for FTP's mission and values.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy Development
  • Lead the development and execution of FTP's annual fundraising strategy in support of the organization's strategic priorities, long-term sustainability, and growth.
  • Partner with the CEO and organizational leaders to identify funding opportunities, establish fundraising goals, and develop plans to achieve them.
  • Grow and diversify FTP's funding streams, including foundation, individual, corporate, and public-sector support.
  • Partner with teams across the organization to identify compelling stories, case studies, impact data, and organizational priorities that strengthen fundraising strategies, proposals, and donor communications.
  • Strengthen board engagement in fundraising, stewardship, and ambassador activities.

Funder Prospecting, Cultivation and Stewardship
  • Build and manage a robust funding pipeline that ensures diverse funding streams for stable, long-term funding.
  • Lead cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and renewal efforts for major donors and institutional funders, partnering closely with the CEO on priority relationships.
  • Grow FTP's giving program through donor engagement strategies, giving campaigns, and fundraising events.
  • Expand FTP's portfolio of foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities.
  • Provide strategic briefings for the CEO in advance of key funder meetings and opportunities.
  • Lead the development of compelling proposals, applications, and reports, serving as both a strategic thought partner and hands-on contributor.
  • Partner with the Communications Team, and other FTP teams as appropriate, to develop fundraising materials.

Development Operations, Analytics & Reporting
  • Build and oversee development systems, processes, and reporting to support effective donor management, stewardship, and revenue tracking.
  • Partner with the Finance Team on revenue forecasting, grant tracking, and financial reporting related to philanthropic funding.
  • Monitor fundraising performance and regularly communicate progress toward goals, key metrics, opportunities, challenges, and strategic recommendations to the CEO, the CFO, and Board, as appropriate.
  • Oversee all reporting requirements for donors/funders, ensuring reports are completed accurately, thoughtfully, and on time.
  • Continuously evaluate and improve FTP's fundraising strategies, systems, and practices to increase effectiveness, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

Team Leadership & Management
  • Manage, develop, and support members of the Development Team.
  • Manage and coordinate external consultants and contractors to support development priorities and fundraising initiatives.
  • Establish priorities, workflows, and accountability across development activities.
  • Partner closely with the Senior Executive Assistant & Development Manager to ensure strong coordination of donor engagement, stewardship, and development priorities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • A deep passion for FTP's mission to reduce the number of people serving excessive sentences across the nation, end institutional racism, and restore human dignity to the incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and all who are impacted by the criminal justice system.
  • 9+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or philanthropy.
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience required; advanced degree a plus.
  • Proven success developing and executing fundraising strategies and operations that have grown and diversified philanthropic revenue.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing and developing staff while fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Experience partnering closely with executive leadership and serving as a trusted advisor on fundraising strategy and organizational growth.
  • Demonstrated success cultivating, securing, and stewarding major philanthropic support from foundations, individuals, corporations, and other institutional funders.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with a clear, concise, and compelling communication style.
  • Deep experience developing compelling grant proposals and funding applications.
  • Demonstrated ability to build effective strategies, and use data, statistics and metrics to execute and achieve goals.
  • Demonstrated ability to secure awards, fellowships, and corporate giving.
  • An entrepreneurial, roll-up-your-sleeves approach, with enthusiasm for contributing across every stage of the fundraising cycle.
  • Demonstrated Experience using Salesforce CRM for fundraising. Familiarity with GrantHub (a plus).

Location
We believe there is great value in working and collaborating face-to-face; therefore, our preference is to have the Development Director located in California and able to work in our Oakland office a minimum of 2 days per week. However, we are open to considering a flexible arrangement for the right candidate.
Benefits
  • Salary of $135,000-$155,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications
  • 100%-paid benefits package for the employee, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, holidays and paid time off
  • 25 paid hours for professional development/coaching
  • Option to enroll in 403(b) retirement plan

How To Apply
Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Submit the information below at: https://fortheppl.bamboohr.com/jobs/
  1. a resume;
  2. a cover letter that describes why you are interested in the role, your qualifications, and specifics regarding your experience and successes in prior development roles;
  3. 3 references from people familiar with your qualifications.

Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Equity Statement
FTP works every day to serve justice and that begins with our team. We are inclusive. We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view. We believe diversity drives creativity, understanding and effectiveness, so we are continuing to build a culture where difference is not only valued but sought after. We strive to create a team that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full authentic selves to work.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States to be considered for this role.
Request for Accommodations
If you require accommodations to review and/or apply for this position, please contact For The People at info@fortheppl.org and appropriate accommodations will be provided.
For the People is an Equal Opportunity Employer and wants our staff to reflect the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including formerly incarcerated and/or system-involved individuals. We look at each applicant's full experience and consider each applicant. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system and its impacts are strongly encouraged to apply.

Apply