Job Description

Executive Director / Development Director Sarah House Santa Barbara

Location: Santa Barbara, California

Organization Type: Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation (501c3)

Reports to: Board of Directors

Position Type: Full-time, Exempt

Sarah House Santa Barbara provides end-of-life care with extraordinary kindness to people with low incomes and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Our 8-bed residential home offers social model hospice care in a compassionate, dignified environment during life's final chapter.

For over three decades, Sarah House has been a sanctuary for our community's most vulnerable residents, ensuring that no one faces death alone or without comfort. We work in partnership with hospice providers, community organizations, and dedicated volunteers to deliver person-centered care grounded in respect, warmth, and humanity.

Position Overview

Sarah House seeks a passionate, skillful, strategic, mission-driven leader to serve as Executive Director / Development Director. The ideal candidate will bring proven nonprofit management experience, fundraising expertise, and a deep commitment to serving those experiencing homelessness, serious illness, and end-of-life transitions.

The Executive Director / Development Director, reports to and works with the Board of Directors, providing overall leadership, strategic planning, legal compliance, and operational supervision for the organization, in accordance with all Federal, State, Local and Licensing Regulations and Company Policy and Procedures. This role requires extensive fundraising and development work with financial oversight, board relations, community engagement, and staff supervision—all while keeping Sarah House's mission of extraordinary kindness at the center of every decision.

Key Responsibilities

Fund Development & Community Relations

• - Lead individual donor identification and cultivation, stewardship, and major gift solicitation programs
• - Manage Planned Giving and Endowment Fund programs and development
• - Write and manage grant proposals and reports for government, foundation, and

corporate funders

• - Plan and execute all special fundraising development events and marketing activities per

Fund Development Plans

• - Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, hospice providers,

stakeholders, donors and volunteers

• - Represent Sarah House publicly through speaking engagements, media relations, and

advocacy, direct mailings and special events and as active community liaison

Financial & Operational Management

• - Oversee annual budget development and financial planning in partnership with Executive Committee
• - Monitor cash flow, financial performance, and operational sustainability per Budget guidelines
• - Manage banking relationships, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and audit preparation
• - Ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations, tax filings (Form 990, welfare exemption), and grant requirements with records maintenance and management
• - Manage Resident Care via House Manager and staff supervision; coordinate with contracted bookkeeping services, Hospice agencies and Human Resources / Legal services

Board Governance & Leadership

• - Support Board of Directors with meeting preparation, strategic planning, and governance activities
• - Provide regular financial and programmatic reports to Board and committees
• - Cultivate board engagement and help identify prospective board members
• - Implement Board-approved strategic initiatives
• - Perform all other reasonable and suitable duties and responsibilities as assigned by the

Board of Directors

Data & Systems Management

• - Maintain donor database (DonorPerfect) and ensure accurate gift processing and acknowledgment
• - Oversee QuickBooks accounting system and financial record-keeping
• - Manage email communications, donor appeals, and digital outreach (Mailchimp)
• - Manage Web site, proficient in Word, Excel, Power Point and Social Media Systems

Qualifications

Required

• - Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, or related field
• - Minimum 3 years of nonprofit leadership experience, including fundraising and budget management
• - Demonstrated success in donor cultivation, grant writing, and revenue diversification
• - Strong financial acumen with experience in budget development, financial reporting, and

audit processes

• - Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• - Proficiency with nonprofit financial and donor management systems (QuickBooks,

DonorPerfect or similar)

• - Commitment to serving people experiencing serious illness, and end of life care with

dignity and compassion

• - Ability to work independently and manage multiple competing priorities
• - Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation
• - Pass CA DSS Background Check

Preferred

• - Knowledge of hospice care, HIV/AIDS services, or homeless services sectors
• - Experience with government grants and contracts (city, county, state)
• - Familiarity with Santa Barbara nonprofit landscape and community resources
• - Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus
• - CA RCFE certification desired, funding for initial certification available

Personal Attributes

• - Mission-driven with a servant leadership approach
• - Comfortable working with people facing death and dying
• - Ability to build authentic relationships across diverse communities
• - Calm under pressure with strong problem-solving skills
• - Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time management abilities
• - Collaborative team player who can also work autonomously
• - Integrity, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of work

Compensation & Benefits

• - $110,000 base salary commensurate with experience and nonprofit sector standards
• - Health insurance contribution
• - IRA retirement plan with employer contribution
• - Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays)
• - Flexible schedule with occasional evening/weekend responsibilities for events and board meetings
• - 5% Commission associated with Grants and Fund Raising performance

Work Environment

• The Executive Director / Development Director works primarily from a home office or on site working space, with regular visits to Sarah House facility, community meetings, donor visits, and external appointments. Some evening and weekend work required for fundraising events and board meetings. This role requires comfort working in a residential hospice environment.

To Apply

Please submit the following materials to ***email_hidden***

1. Cover letter describing your interest in Sarah House and relevant experience
2. Current resume
3. Three professional references (to be contacted only after interview)

Application Deadline: until filled

Anticipated Start Date: 30 days after hire

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sarah House Santa Barbara is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of homelessness, HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+ communities, and other underrepresented groups.

Sarah House Santa Barbara, Inc.

Santa Barbara, California

License#: 425800089

Providing end-of-life care with extraordinary kindness since 1995

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