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Development Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

ProActivate

Business Development Director

Irvine, CA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Irvine, California The Business Development Director will be a high-performing salesperson with a proven track record of exceeding their sales quotas. The Business Development Director will be ...

City of Lodi

Community Development Director

Lodi, CA

$201K/yr

The City of Lodi announces an exciting opportunity to join our team as the Community Development Director CPS HR Consulting is conducting the recruitment on behalf of the City of Lodi. Please review ...

LIFT

Development Director-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

Development Director LOCATION: Los Angeles REPORTS TO: Executive Director, LA SUPERVISES: Development Manager FLSA STATUS: Exempt SALARY RANGE: $95,000-$125,000 year TRAVEL & SCHEDULE: * Non-local: 0 ...

LIFT

Development Director-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

Development Director LOCATION: Los Angeles REPORTS TO: Executive Director, LA SUPERVISES: Development Manager FLSA STATUS: Exempt SALARY RANGE: $95,000-$125,000 year TRAVEL & SCHEDULE: * Non-local: 0 ...

Attalon, Inc.

Business Development Director

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$137K - $247K/yr

Business Development Director The Business Development Director reports to the Chief Growth Officer, but is the dotted line, sales single point of contact for the GM / VP. Aligns and coordinates ...

Alena Museum

Fund Development Director

Oakland, CA · On-site

JOIN US: We are looking for a senior-level professional who can come on and grow with us as our Fund Development Director. In this role, you will support the high-level development of our ...

Alena Museum

Fund Development Director

Oakland, CA · On-site

JOIN US: We are looking for a senior-level professional who can come on and grow with us as our Fund Development Director. In this role, you will support the high-level development of our ...

Alena Museum

Fund Development Director

Oakland, CA · On-site

JOIN US: We are looking for a senior-level professional who can come on and grow with us as our Fund Development Director. In this role, you will support the high-level development of our ...

K2 Space

Business Development Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$180K - $250K/yr

The Role K2 Space is seeking an experienced Business Development Director to drive strategic growth across our defense and aerospace portfolio. This is an individual contributor role focused on ...

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Development Director information

See California salary details

$40K

$91.2K

$153K

How much do development director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for development director in California is $91,176.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,100.00 and $107,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Development Director do?

A Development Director is responsible for overseeing fundraising and resource development efforts within an organization, typically a nonprofit. They create and implement strategies to secure financial support, manage donor relationships, lead fundraising campaigns, and often supervise development staff. Their goal is to ensure the organization has the funding needed to achieve its mission and objectives. Development Directors also work closely with executive leadership and the board of directors to align fundraising goals with the organization's overall strategy.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

Development Directors in large organizations or corporations can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with bonuses, profit sharing, and extensive experience. High-level executive roles such as Chief Development Officer or similar senior leadership positions in nonprofit or corporate sectors also have the potential for such compensation, often requiring advanced skills, strategic planning, and a strong network.

How much money should a development director raise?

A development director's fundraising goals vary depending on the organization size and sector, but they typically aim to raise several million dollars annually for nonprofits or large projects. Success often depends on skills in donor relations, strategic planning, and use of fundraising tools. Setting realistic targets aligned with organizational needs is essential for effective performance.

What Does a Development Director Do?

A development director is responsible for fundraising strategies and initiatives to help promote the business and operations of nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and hospitals. As a development director, your job duties include reaching out to potential benefactors, maintaining relationships with existing donors, devising new strategies for fundraising, and organizing fundraising events. These events may consist of benefit concerts, dinners, parties, and special events. Collaborating with company management is also a regular part of your job. Depending on the organization, your exact duties may vary.

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

To thrive as a Development Director, you need expertise in fundraising strategy, donor relations, and nonprofit management, often supported by a relevant degree or CFRE certification. Familiarity with donor management systems (like Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge) and CRM platforms is typically required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills set top performers apart in this role. These abilities are crucial for driving organizational growth, securing funding, and building lasting partnerships essential to the nonprofit’s mission.

How does a Development Director typically collaborate with other departments to achieve organizational goals?

A Development Director frequently works cross-functionally with teams such as marketing, finance, and program management to align fundraising strategies with organizational objectives. This collaboration often involves coordinating on campaigns, sharing donor insights, and ensuring consistent messaging across platforms. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential, as the Development Director serves as a bridge between departments to maximize impact and foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.

What does a Director of Development do?

A Director of Development oversees fundraising efforts, builds relationships with donors, and develops strategies to support an organization’s financial growth. They often manage a team, coordinate campaigns, and utilize tools like CRM systems to track progress, ensuring the organization meets its funding goals.

What is the difference between Development Director vs Fundraising Manager?

AspectDevelopment DirectorFundraising Manager
Primary FocusOversees overall fundraising strategies, donor relations, and development initiativesExecutes specific fundraising campaigns and manages donor outreach
ResponsibilitiesStrategic planning, team leadership, major gift cultivationEvent planning, donor communication, campaign execution
CredentialsBachelor’s or Master’s in Nonprofit Management, Fundraising, or related fields; experience in leadership rolesBachelor’s degree; experience in fundraising or development roles often preferred
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, charities, educational institutionsNonprofit organizations, charities, fundraising agencies

The Development Director typically holds a strategic leadership role, overseeing the entire development department and long-term fundraising goals. In contrast, the Fundraising Manager focuses on executing specific campaigns and managing day-to-day donor activities. Both roles require similar credentials and work in similar environments, but the Development Director has broader responsibilities and higher-level oversight.

Is being a BDM a stressful job?

A Business Development Manager (BDM) role can be stressful due to targets, client negotiations, and workload management. Success often depends on strong communication, time management, and resilience, with some roles involving high-pressure environments and performance metrics.
More about Development Director jobs
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What are popular job titles related to Development Director jobs in California? For Development Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Development Director jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Development Director jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Development Director jobs? Cities in California with the most Development Director job openings:
Development Director jobs near you

Project Development Director

Energy Vault

Westlake Village, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Our Company
Welcome to Energy Vault (NYSE:NRGV), a global energy storage and power infrastructure company focused on owning, operating, and enabling resilient, dispatchable energy assets. 
 
Energy Vault's focus is to deliver reliable, flexible power that supports the evolving needs of modern grids, communities, and large energy users. Since 2024, the Company has centered its strategy on an Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, developing, building, owning, and operating critical energy assets around the world. 
 
Energy Vault operates globally, with headquarters in Westlake Village, California and Lugano, Switzerland, and regional development across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The Company partners with utilities, grid operators, and large energy consumers to deliver infrastructure that strengthens grid reliability, enables renewable integration, and supports long-term energy security. 
 
By combining asset ownership with advanced technologies and integration expertise, Energy Vault is building the next generation of critical energy infrastructure, delivering dependable power when and where it matters most. 
 
Learn more at www.energyvault.com, explore recent updates in our Newsroom, and connect with us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, or YouTube. 
 
Our Values 
We Commit: To Building a Better Future for Earth and All Its Beings.
We Innovate: Cutting Edge Solutions to Accelerate the Unique Energy Aspirations of Our Clients.
We Connect: To Build Genuine Relationships.
We Deliver: Going Above & Beyond by Being Fast & Nimble.
We Lead: With Authenticity and Purpose.

Your Impact as a Project Development Director: 

The Project Development Director plays a critical role across Energy Vault's front-end development activities, acting as the single point of ownership for progressing acquired projects to deploy energy storage and/or generation assets under its Build-Own-Operate strategy, from early development through to Ready to Build (RTB). This role is execution-focused and accountable for driving outcomes leveraging internal and external resources for planning approvals, grid connection, off take, pre-construction planning, project financing and risk management across a US portfolio.

The position requires both customer-facing expertise as well as excellent internal project management and team management capabilities. The Project Development Director will lead domestic projects, with particular focus on energy generation and storage systems.  Attention to legal and regulatory compliance, on-schedule performance, quality, and accuracy are of the utmost importance. This is a highly networked position that includes partnerships and alignment with Commercial, Grid, Engineering, Legal, Finance, Pre-Construction, and external consultants and development partners, the Project Development Director serves as the project "owner" from acquisition to ready to build and financial close of project financing. 

While supported by specialist internal teams and external consultants, the Project Development Director is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, proactively identifying issues, managing approvals and grid interface risk, and optimizing development processes as required. This includes ownership of development budgets, oversight of consultant performance, and implementation of governance, templates, and stage-gate controls to support consistent project execution. The role is primarily execution-heavy, with a strong emphasis on accountability for approvals timelines and development risk. As the portfolio matures, the position has the potential to evolve into a Team Lead role, supporting the growth and scalability of Energy Vault's Project development capability.

Your Mission:
  • Lead end-to-end development of utility-scale energy storage and generation projects from early-stage assessment/acquisition through contracting and Ready-to-Build (RTB)
  • Manage third-party developers, consultants, and internal cross-functional teams to advance development workstreams, ensure stage-gate readiness, and drive critical decisions.
  • Own development budgets, schedules, critical path execution, risk management, and reporting to leadership and investment stakeholders.
  • Secure and manage key project agreements and permits, including land control, environmental/community engagement, and local approvals with relevant authorities.
  • Drive grid interconnection and utility coordination through application, studies, and agreements to support bankable RTB outcomes.
  • Define project scope and requirements aligned to commercial strategy, ensuring development deliverables support financing, offtake, and long-term value creation.
Your Background:
  • 15 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Communication, or Business,; 12 years of related experience with a master's degree; or 8 years of related experience with a PhD.
  • 5+ years of experience in Project Management of complex projects in the Energy Generation and/or Energy Storage industries.
  • Proven experience developing projects from origination/acquisition through development approvals and grid connections.
  • Certification in Project Management preferred.
  • Capacity to learn on-the-fly, particularly regarding nuanced project technical or legal requirements.
  • Excellent Project Management skills and the ability to work independently on multiple project timelines simultaneously.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Agile work ethic with flexibility to address pressing project needs as they arise.
  • Proficiency in effective communication of project plans, proposals, and results, and ability negotiate options at senior management levels.
  • Willingness to travel domestically and/or internationally, up to 30%.
  • Comfortable thriving in fast-paced, rapid growth environments.
  • A passion for sustainability, our mission, and our vision is a bonus!
  • Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check.  
  • Energy Vault participates in E-Verify.
Benefits of Powering the Future with Energy Vault:

  • Annual bonus plan.

  • Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). 

  • 401K employer matching. 

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and family. 

  • Flexible Spending Account. 

  • Company-paid Life insurance, Short- and Long-term disability insurance. 

  • 8-weeks for Paternity leave. 

  • Generous holiday allowance. 

  • Flexible time off plus sick leave. 

  • Reimbursement for home office equipment, phone, and internet expenses. 

$154,000 - $246,000 a year
The range, $154,000 to $246,000, reflects a total compensation package for this position across all U.S. locations.  
#LI-remote #LI-JW1

Join Us in Empowering Change 

At Energy Vault we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. We believe inclusion creates opportunity for collaborative excellence through diversity of thought. We invite individuals of all genders, races, identities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, national origins, abilities, protected veteran status, religions, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds to explore employment with our organization.

Apply now and become a catalyst for change at Energy Vault! 
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