Company description

About Food Access LA
Founded in 1996 as Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles (SEE-LA), dba Food Access LA is a leading Southern California nonprofit organization, connecting people to healthy food, promoting economic development, and building sustainable food systems. We operate the largest network of mission-driven farmers’ markets in Los Angeles as well as programs that provide nutrition education, food access, and opportunities for small regional farms and local food businesses to thrive.  

Our programs include

• Hosting a network of nine community-based certified farmers’ markets in Los Angeles
• Programs that stretch public nutrition benefits to increase access to fresh, nutrient-rich food
• Providing comprehensive nutrition education to low-income families and children in underserved schools
• Operating a wholesale and CSA produce distribution program

Job description

Position Summary
Food Access LA seeks a strategic, collaborative, and mission-driven Director of Development and Communications to lead all contributed revenue generation and organizational communications. Drawing from best practices in nonprofit development leadership, this role is responsible for building diversified revenue streams, strengthening donor and partner relationships, and elevating Food Access LA’s brand, visibility, and storytelling. Working in close partnership with the Executive Director, senior leadership, and Board of Directors, the Director will design and implement integrated development and communications strategies that support long-term sustainability and community impact. This role blends external-facing relationship building with internal systems leadership and people management. The Director of Development will hire and supervise a Communications Assistant and may manage consultants and vendors. Regular engagement at farmers’ markets and community events is expected; some weekend work required.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Team Development & Culture

• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy, planning, and decision-making
• Design and implement an annual development strategy to grow private philanthropy (individuals, corporations, and foundations).
• Develop and execute an integrated development and communications strategy aligned with Food Access LA’s mission, values, and growth goals
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors and leadership team to align philanthropic messaging with organizational priorities and community impact.
• Hire, supervise, support, and evaluate the Communications Assistant, ensuring strong coordination across fundraising and communications functions
• Establish systems, workflows, and standards to ensure consistency, efficiency, and accountability across development and communications efforts

Development, Fundraising, & Relationship Building

• Lead all contributed revenue efforts, including institutional giving, individual giving, major gifts, sponsorships, and special campaigns. Please see below for the current funding overview
• Partner with the Board’s Fundraising Committee to plan and execute fundraising strategies and events; support board members as ambassadors and fundraisers
• Partner with foundation program officers and corporate partners to maintain and expand funding through authentic, trust-based relationships
• Cultivate and steward relationships with individual donors, with an emphasis on deepening engagement and growing a base of loyal, values-aligned supporters
• Develop and manage mission-aligned partnerships, sponsorships, and earned-revenue-related visibility opportunities tied to farmers’ markets and programs
• Attend and support development-related events, including some evenings and weekends
• Create & oversee giving campaigns, peer-to-peer events, and other creative fundraising initiatives that invite community participation
• Ensure accurate donor tracking, acknowledgment, and reporting through effective CRM management, cross-department collaboration, and transparent communication.

Communications & Messaging

• Partner with the Communications Assistant and creative consultant to ensure that all written and visual communications, such as appeals, newsletters, social media, and event materials, reflect consistent, mission-centered storytelling and authentic gratitude
• Craft and steward messaging that reflects Food Access LA’s core values and mission
• Serve as lead writer and editor for high-level development communications, including case statements, donor communications, impact reports, and campaign materials; may include unrestricted foundational grant proposals
• Oversee the collection and synthesis of program data and impact metrics to support compelling donor communications and reporting
• Lead organizational messaging, brand strategy, and storytelling across all platforms
• Direct agency-wide digital communications systems, including mass email, social media, website content, and digital fundraising campaigns
• Manage and increase the communications budget to increase visibility of Food Access LA’s markets, programs, and policy priorities
• Participate in establishing and refining a cohesive brand identity and aligning brand implementation across departments and programs
• Collaborate with senior staff to elevate Food Access LA’s voice in food access, nutrition, and food systems conversations

Qualifications

• Minimum of five to seven years of progressive experience in development, communications, or related fields, including senior-level responsibility
• At least three years of people management experience, with demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop staff
• Proven track record in nonprofit fundraising, including institutional and individual giving
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across multiple formats and audiences
• Strong strategic thinking, project management, and organizational skills
• Experience working collaboratively with executive leadership and boards of directors
• Comfort managing multiple priorities in a dynamic, community-centered environment
• Working knowledge of CRM systems, digital fundraising tools, and standard office software
• Experience in Los Angeles food systems, food access, public health, or related sectors strongly preferred
• Written Spanish fluency strongly preferred

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience
• Employer-covered health, dental, vision insurance and Employee Assistance Program after a 90-day probationary period for applicants new to the organization
• Open PTO
• 14.5 paid holidays
• Voluntary Pet  Insurance, Flexible Spending Account
• Option for 403(b) retirement plan contributions
• Remote work stipend, company cell phone, and computer

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $75,000 - $100,000

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline