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Developmental Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Theirc

Development Director

Sacramento, CA · On-site

As the Development Director you will oversee the design, implementation, and monitoring of resource mobilization efforts in support of our mission. The specific areas of responsibility and oversight ...

Playworks

Development Director

Oakland, CA · On-site

$110 - $135/hr

Development Director - Northern California ABOUT THE POSITION , The Development Director is part of a team of fundraisers and relationship builders working together to support Playworks' strategic ...

New

LIFT

Development Director-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Development Director LOCATION: Los Angeles REPORTS TO: Executive Director, LA SUPERVISES: Development Manager FLSA STATUS: Exempt SALARY RANGE: $95,000-$130,000 year TRAVEL & SCHEDULE: * Non-local: 0 ...

LIFT

Development Director-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Development Director LOCATION: Los Angeles REPORTS TO: Executive Director, LA SUPERVISES: Development Manager FLSA STATUS: Exempt SALARY RANGE: $95,000-$130,000 year TRAVEL & SCHEDULE: * Non-local: 0 ...

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 ...

Breakthrough T1D

Development Director

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

The Development Director (DD) at Breakthrough T1D is integral in the day-to-day execution of integrated fundraising efforts to support our organizational strategy and mission. Their relationships ...

Breakthrough T1D

Development Director

Irvine, CA · On-site

The Development Director (DD) at Breakthrough T1D is integral in the day-to-day execution of integrated fundraising efforts to support our organizational strategy and mission. Their relationships ...

Breakthrough T1D

Development Director

Irvine, CA · On-site

$105 - $112/hr

The Development Director (DD) at Breakthrough T1D is integral in the day-to-day execution of integrated fundraising efforts to support our organizational strategy and mission. Their relationships ...

City-of-Ventur

Community Development Director

Ventura, CA · On-site

$170 - $210/hr

The City of Ventura is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as its next Community Development Director. As a key member of the City's strategic management team, the Director will lead a ...

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All JobsDevelopmental JobsDevelopmental Director JobsDevelopmental Director Jobs in California

Developmental Director information

What does a developmental director do?

A Developmental Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing fundraising initiatives for an organization, often within non-profits or educational institutions. They work to build relationships with donors, create fundraising strategies, and manage donor databases. Their goal is to secure financial support to advance the organization's mission, often by organizing events, writing grant proposals, and coordinating with staff and volunteers. Developmental Directors play a key role in ensuring the financial sustainability and growth of their organization.

What are some typical challenges a developmental director faces in nonprofit fundraising, and how can they be addressed?

Developmental Directors often encounter challenges such as donor fatigue, limited resources, and increased competition for funding. To address these issues, they develop creative engagement strategies, nurture long-term donor relationships, and leverage data-driven approaches to target fundraising efforts effectively. Collaborating closely with board members, staff, and volunteers also helps in expanding the organization's network and achieving fundraising goals. Staying adaptable and continuously learning about new fundraising trends are essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a developmental 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 bachelor’s degree and experience in development or philanthropy. Familiarity with donor management systems (such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce), grant writing, and event planning tools is typically required. Strong communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills help set outstanding professionals apart. These skills are vital for securing funding, sustaining organizational growth, and building lasting partnerships within the nonprofit sector.

What is the difference between Developmental Director vs Program Coordinator?

AspectDevelopmental DirectorProgram Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Education, Social Work, or related field; experience in program developmentBachelor's degree often required; experience in program support or administration
Work EnvironmentLeadership role overseeing program development teams, strategic planningSupports program activities, manages logistics, assists in implementation
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, educational institutions, healthcare organizationsNonprofits, community organizations, educational programs
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership and development roles in programsSupporting and coordinating program activities

The Developmental Director typically leads program development efforts, requiring strategic planning and leadership skills, while the Program Coordinator focuses on supporting and executing program activities. Both roles are essential in organizations but differ mainly in scope and responsibility.

How do I become a development director?

To become a development director, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as nonprofit management, business, or communications, along with several years of experience in fundraising, development, or related roles. Strong leadership, communication skills, and knowledge of donor relations and grant writing are essential, and some organizations prefer candidates with a master's degree or professional certifications like CFRE. Gaining experience through entry-level development positions and building a network in the nonprofit or corporate sector can also help advance to a development director role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Developmental jobs in California?

The most popular types of Developmental jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Developmental Director jobs in California?

For Developmental Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Developmental Director jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Developmental Director jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Developmental Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Developmental Director job openings:

Developmental Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Developmental Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Project Development Director

Energy Vault

Westlake Village, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 9 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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