About San Luis Obispo County

Welcome to the land of picturesque beaches, rolling vineyards and small-town charm with 315 days of sunshine. San Luis Obispo (SLO) County is the perfect year-round destination for pleasure, adventure, and rejuvenation. From the 100 miles of coastline to the thriving farm-to-table culinary scene, there are endless possibilities to discover all within a short drive. The County seat is San Luis Obispo.

About the Organization

United Way of San Luis Obispo County (UWSLOC) is a nonprofit organization serving all of San Luis Obispo County, California. A member in good standing of the United Way Worldwide network, we are controlled by an independent board of local volunteers who make sure the organization is responsive to unique local needs, employing strategies that make sense in our community.

The organization’s culture is marked by a small staff and a large team of committed volunteers. In addition to acting as board members, community volunteers from a variety of backgrounds disciplines and talents serve on committees and task forces and bring their knowledge to bear on needs, issues and solutions, driving UWSLOC’s work and striving to keep the organization focused on the community’s highest priorities. Additionally, community volunteers give their time and talent to specific programs and events, from delivering financial education presentations to organizing school supplies drives, to income tax return preparation.

UWSLOC’s financial position is stable and improving. The organization lost ground in fundraising during the pandemic years, however, has renewed partner and funding relationships and succeeded in winning new contributions over the last 12 months. UWSLOC maintains healthy emergency reserves. The organization’s 2023-24 budget is $1.2 million.

Primary sources of revenue are:

• Grants for services for federal and state programs, contracted through United Way of California
• Corporate, local government and foundation grants
• Employee workplace campaigns
• Contributions from individuals across the community
• Corporate sponsorships

Mission and Strategic Focus

In the recent past, UWSLOC has focused its efforts on three areas of emphasis: Early Childhood Education, Family Financial Stability and Community Strengthening, with programs in each of these areas. Operating from an understanding that more can be accomplished when community assets collaborate, the organization has maintained relationships and begun to build new relationships with various levels of government, schools, community impact organizations, corporations, and other institutions to form strategic partnerships to strengthen, expand or enhance its programs. 

Additionally, UWSLOC aspires to carry forward its historic role as an organization that encourages a healthy community impact sector, promoting communication and best practices across organizations; stimulates community collaboration among diverse entities beyond its own work; and enhances the effectiveness of organizations through cooperative community planning and strategic execution. The organization is not content with the role of delivering a specific set of services when there is an opportunity to unite this community’s assets to serve more residents more effectively.

The Leadership Opportunity

Reporting to the board of directors, the CEO will personify UWSLOC’s mission and be responsible for moving the organization forward to achieve its aspirations. The organization’s overall management and financial performance is the responsibility of the CEO, within board-approved policies and procedures. The successful candidate will lead an organization that embraces continuous change, to meet the evolving needs of the people of SLO County; that proactively seeks opportunities, moving aggressively to capitalize on those opportunities; and continuously recruits partners and volunteers to expand the talent that can define what UWSLOC’s impact should be and how it will be delivered.

CEO Competencies

Organizational Leadership

• Builds an effective and aligned team (staff, board, volunteers)
• Values diversity of people and ideas. Developing, coaching and mentoring staff
• Builds solid partnership with the board of directors

Visionary

• Initiates and leads change and transformation, managing resistance to change
• Anticipates and adapts to a continuously changing environment to sustain competitive advantage
• Inspirational and persuasive communicator

Influence in the Marketplace

• Works across private, public and corporate sectors to convene partners and forge collaborations to develop strategies that align the community’s aspirations with UWSLOC’s priorities.
• Stays ahead of the curve. Innovative, fresh perspectives that create value in the marketplace.
• Values inclusion, diverse perspectives and cultures to maximize impact.
• Stewards and increases the reputation and brand of United Way. Understands and articulates United Way brand concepts.
• Fosters trust by being accountable and protecting the organization’s integrity.

Results-Driven/Grows Business & Revenue

• Effectively engages and links a variety of contributors and volunteers to raise funds and advance the mission.
• Fundraises effectively with aggressive revenue goals. Accepts responsibility for personal achievements and failures. Leverages board and volunteers to extend reach.
• Maximizes contributor satisfaction through relationship and delivers value to the donor.
• Cultivates an active network of relationships.
• Employs an entrepreneurial and risk-taking mindset.
• Focuses on quality, innovation, and high-performance standards.
• Drives for stakeholder success. Actively builds relationship equity. Commits to listening, understanding, and analyzing market data to create and deliver the best value for the contributor.

Relationship-Oriented

• Values diversity and inclusion
• Effectively communicates
• Treats others with respect and dignity

Collaborator

• Seeks and shares knowledge of community
• Takes collaborative approach to addressing issues
• Focuses on shared goals
• Mobilizes a broad range of sectors and resources

Experience, Skills, and Attributes

The ideal candidate will have excellent people and communication skills to develop, build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Proven nonprofit management and fundraising skills are required, as is the ability to build teamwork in a collaborative manner so that board members and other volunteers are supported and empowered to use their collective skills and experiences to advance the mission. UWSLOC is seeking a leader also with a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. While no one can be an expert at everything, candidates who meet most of the following qualifications will receive strong consideration:

• Bachelor’s degree in public sector, nonprofit or business management, human services, or a similar field. Five years progressively responsible experience in nonprofit management and leadership. (Educational qualifications may be waived depending on work history.)
• Experience managing or otherwise working closely with volunteers.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in empowering others to play strong roles in achieving organizational goals. Demonstrated team-building expertise, including facilitation of groups, meetings and processes.
• Philanthropic fundraising expertise, including demonstrated success soliciting major donors, corporate partners and private foundations. Experience with effective annual fund (individual giving) programs.
• Effective communicator with strong listening skills. Excellent written, oral and social media skills. Engaging public speaker.
• Track record of successfully representing an organization to partners, funders, elected officials and the broader community.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans.
• Experience working with and supporting a board of directors, ideally including experience in facilitating board processes and board development.
• Experience working with a board to develop and successfully implement and monitor a mission-driven strategic plan and annual operating plans.
• Strong financial management skills, including experience developing and managing a budget, interpreting financial reports, and performing business and program analysis within an organization.

Job Requirements

Local travel within SLO County will be required. A criminal background check will be conducted after a job offer is made.

Working Conditions

Work is performed typically in an office environment and a variety of other settings among diverse stakeholders and audiences. A considerable amount of time will be spent in meetings in and out of the office, at a computer screen for extended periods, and speaking in public. Frequent use of phones and e-mail will be required to communicate with stakeholders. Some work will be performed outside normal working hours.

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary range is between $105,000 and $125,000 depending on experience and skills. Benefits include paid holidays, vacation time according to policy, 403b matching and access to a health plan.

How to Apply

All qualified candidates are invited to apply by submitting a resume and cover letter to:

ceosearch@unitedwayslo.org

All applications will be acknowledged and reviewed as they are received. The priority deadline for applying is February 2, 2024, and early submission is encouraged. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Interviews are expected to begin in mid-February.

UWSLOC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes its hiring decisions without regard for race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.

Reporting to: VP, Resource Development 
Status: Non-exempt (Hourly) Part-Time 
Compensation: Up to $24/hour (DOE) 

Position Summary 

The Resource Development Manager is essential to the success of United Way of San Luis Obispo County’s [UWSLOC] financial commitment to the community to strategically address the most critical needs and create systemic change through Early Childhood Education, Family Financial Stability, and Community Strengthening. 

The Resource Development Manager reports to the VP of Resource Development and plays a critical role in cultivating, strengthening, and maintaining relationships with individual contributors, employers, and the community to build contributor loyalty, raise/leverage resources, and ensure a positive brand experience with UWSLOC. 

The ideal candidate thrives in a public-facing role, provides excellent customer service, works well in a team and independently, possesses a solid understanding of computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and database entries.   

Key Responsibilities 

• Manage portfolio of assigned individual contributors and corporate accounts to aid in the planning and execution of giving initiatives 
• Increase investment in UWSLOC by expanding and diversifying resource development  
• Make presentations and represent UWSLOC in the community at local events and workplace campaign kick-offs 
• Ensure accurate, up-to-date information is maintained in the database  
• Assist with ongoing and timely donor recognition and appreciation 
• Ability to build consensus and facilitate collaboration and productive relationships with diverse individuals, groups, organizations, and community 
• Work in collaboration with development team to ensure individual and corporate partners are educated and aware of opportunities to participate with United Way 
• Work closely in partnership with finance and pledge processing departments to ensure gifts are recorded accurately 
• Assist with campaign related social media content 
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree with 1-2 years of experience in development or sales, or a minimum of 4 years’ experience in development or sales 
• Must have strong writing skills and be proficient in Word, Excel, and database management (Salesforce a plus) 
• Ability to manage multiple demands 
• Works well with people and engenders trust and confidence from fellow staff and volunteers 
• Must have reliable transportation 

Professional Competencies 

• Flexibility and ability to work on multiple high-priority projects 
• Ability to solve problems effectively and creatively 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 
• Understanding of and commitment to CRM (customer relationship management) 

United Way of San Luis Obispo County is committed to advancing equity in its work. Equity seeks to undo discrimination and bias to create a just and fair society in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. We invite applications from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. People of all protected classes including race, ethnicity, gender, and all ability levels are encouraged to apply. 

To apply: send a resume and cover letter to careers@unitedwayslo.org