Vice President of Development

Company: Peninsula Open Space Trust
Location: Pleasanton
Posted on: June 1, 2025

Job Description:

LOCATION: Palo Alto, CA; Hybrid Role (2-3 days in office)COOK SILVERMAN SEARCH775 E. Blithedale Ave. #395Mill Valley, CA 94941TO APPLY: Please submit your resume and a cover letter describing how you connect with our mission and why you are a great fit for this role to our executive search partner, Cook Silverman, .Please note - All applications should be sent directly to Cook Silverman. Any applications submitted via POST's Careers page will be forwarded to Cook Silverman for review.About Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST)POST protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. POST is creating a network of protected lands where people and nature connect and thrive. These lands are preserved forever so present and future generations benefit from the careful balance of rural and urban landscapes that makes our region extraordinary.Since its founding in 1977, POST has permanently protected more than 90,000 acres of open space, farms and parkland in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. POST brings together many organizations and individuals to ensure that open spaces are permanently protected, benefiting the community, the environment and the economy. From its complex transaction process to its robust approach to marketing and fundraising to coordinating with multiple public agency partners, POST takes a central, catalytic role in conservation projects, adjusting its approach based on each unique situation.OPPORTUNITY HIGHLIGHTSSalary Range: $245,000 - $275,000Benefits include:

• POST provides basic medical coverage at no cost to the employee, and contributes 50% of the cost for dependent coverage.
• Premium employee vision and dental plans.
• Life & AD&D insurance equal to one year's salary (max. $140,000, paid for by POST).
• Long-and Short-Term Disability coverage paid for by POST.
• Voluntary Life & AD&D insurance (the opportunity to purchase additional life insurance for employee, spouse, or children up to certain maximums).
• Flexible Spending Account (Section 125 Plan).
• 15 vacation days per year in the first year, and 20 days per year following four years of employment.
• Sick leave accrues at the rate of 12 days per year.
• After one year of service, paid maternity/paternity/family medical leave.
• POST typically observes 12 paid holidays annually, plus one additional flex day per year.
• 401(k) retirement plan, with 4% safe harbor contribution plus 4% match opportunity beginning after one year of service; contribution and match are vested immediately.
• Free Caltrain Go Pass for unlimited rides and other commuter (parking & biking) benefits.
• WellHub Fitness membership or wellness reimbursement.
• Free access to our Modern Health wellness platform including 10 free coaching and 10 free clinical therapy sessions per year for staff and eligible dependents.
• Flexible hours and hybrid work arrangements.
• Cell phone/home internet stipend.
• Dog-friendly office.
• Hybrid Work: 2-3 days working in the Palo Alto office.YOU ARE:
• A visionary leader and skilled fundraiser who inspires others with your passion for conservation and the environment, driving strategic initiatives that align with long-term revenue growth and sustainability.
• An empathetic and confident people manager who meets individuals where they are, develops their potential, and fosters a culture of accountability, transparency, and open feedback.
• A collaborative and decisive business leader with a growth mindset, balancing strategic decision-making with adaptability, consistency, and a service-oriented approach.
• An advocate and relationship builder who listens deeply, navigates conflicts with resilience and diplomacy, and creates an inclusive, positive environment where diverse perspectives thrive.
• A calm, strategic thinker with a positive, nimble approach to challenges, leading with humility and awareness while ensuring alignment between mission, people, and business objectives.POSITION OVERVIEW:Under the leadership of the President, the Vice President of Development (VP) is responsible for the overall direction and success of POST's major, institutional, and planned gift fundraising in order to generate $25 million or more annually across those revenue streams to support POST's work. The VP develops, implements and evaluates a long-term strategy for fundraising growth across these revenue sources and works closely with the President and the Board of Directors to achieve fundraising goals. The VP is also a member of POST's Executive Team.REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:The VP reports to President, and manages five direct reports: the Director of Donor Engagement, Director of Institutional Engagement, Director of Planned Giving and two Senior Philanthropy Officers. The VP has overall responsibility for a team of thirteen staff members.PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:Fundraising:
• Oversee an evolving set of restricted giving opportunities and campaigns to support major gifts fundraising and achieve capital revenue goal of more than $5 million annually.
• Manage overall strategy and individual major donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for POST's Visionary Fund for leadership gifts.
• Set appropriate goals across the Development team and oversee fundraising strategies for major and planned giving through cultivation activities, individual solicitations, and donor stewardship.
• Partner with the Planned Giving team to grow POST's planned giving donor community and secure $5 million or more annually from realized planned gifts.
• Oversee the Institutional Engagement team's efforts to raise between $5 million and $10 million annually in grant revenue from private foundations and public agency funders.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of 40-50 major and high-capacity donors.
• Lead the Engagement Team (Development Committee) of board and non-board members who serve as volunteer advisors and ambassadors supporting POST's fundraising efforts.
• Work with the Board of Directors on fundraising activities and partner with board and committee members on individual donor strategies.Management:
• Oversee the development and implementation of the annual budget and work plan for major, institutional, and planned giving programs and ensure the staff's best effort to meet annual fundraising goals.
• Report on progress toward goals to staff and board members.
• Manage senior fundraising staff, ensuring a productive and professionally motivating workplace.
• Establish performance standards and priorities for development staff and oversee progress on team and individual goal achievement.
• Demonstrate commitment to POST's values and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging principles.
• Provide mentorship, training, and professional development opportunities for team members.Strategic Leadership:
• As a member of POST's Executive Team, provide advice and support to the President, board and senior staff on organizational matters including fundraising progress and activities.
• Develop and implement plans for POST's 50th anniversary in 2027 related to major and planned giving fundraising.
• Lead the exploration, evaluation and implementation of long-term fundraising strategic direction, including efforts to diversify POST's donor base over time and integrate POST's commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Keep abreast of latest developments in fundraising rules and regulations, best practices, and demographic changes.COMPETENCIES:
• Demonstrated success in raising gifts from institutions and individual donors of $500,000 and above.
• Ten or more years of experience in increasingly responsible positions in development.
• Successful management of development teams.
• Experience serving on an executive team, making meaningful contributions to organization-wide initiatives and solving broader management, operational, or strategic issues; works as an effective, collaborative cross-functional leader at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability and prior experience leading with a commitment to organizational values and equity commitments.
• Experience working effectively with a board of directors.
• Demonstrated experience securing gifts through foundations, major gifts, planned gifts, and special events.
• Superior written and oral communications, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Highest personal and professional integrity.
• Commitment to and deep knowledge of environmental and conservation issues.
• College degree or combined work and life experience that demonstrates a similar depth of subject matter expertise, critical thinking skills, and the ability to write persuasively on the topics at hand.
• Valid Driver's License and insurable driving record are required to use POST vehicles to facilitate attendance at offsite events and donor meetings.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and handle multiple assignments simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• High attention to detail and a professional attitude and appearance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with intermediate to advanced skills.
• Familiarity with fundraising software and CRM systems, preferably Salesforce.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed.Physical Requirements:
• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, and strength to lift and carry materials weighing up to 10 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Must be able to drive.
• Mobility to traverse uneven terrain at varying elevations and distances to facilitate joining or leading donor hikes and events on POST lands.
• This position requires evening and weekend work.
• Reasonable accommodations will be made to allow a person to perform essential functions.POST's Core Values:
• Nature Connects Us All: We believe that we are part of an interconnected web of life and that diversity of all types creates strength and resilience. In our work, we strive to protect and heal the ecosystems that support our collective well-being.
• Act Today for the Long-Term: We take action today in ways that support our bold, long-term vision. We accept and balance the tension between the present and the future while staying true to our purpose.
• Commit to Learning and Growth: We are creative, curious and courageous in our approaches and willing to change course when necessary. We learn from our successes and mistakes.
• Care About How We Work: We believe all living things should be treated with dignity. We acknowledge the many injustices against people and nature. We are dedicated to strive for equity in our actions.
• Honor Our Collective Strengths: We have the most positive impact when we work together toward a shared vision. We catalyze, collaborate and complement to support the best outcomes for all.POST is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create and maintain a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We believe diversity and equity is central to our mission to protect open space in our region for the benefit of all. POST is committed to creating an inclusive, values-driven workplace where all employees can thrive.All applications will be kept confidential, and every applicant will receive a response.
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Keywords: Peninsula Open Space Trust, Dublin , Vice President of Development, Executive , Pleasanton, California