Vice President of Development and Communications

Vice President Of Development And Communications

This is a hybrid position based in Culver City, CA. Candidates must be local to Southern California.

The pay range for this role is $214,725 - $246,934 annually.

About Didi Hirsch

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care, and substance use services since 1942 and is home to the nation's first Suicide Prevention Center. We are a nonprofit organization providing care to about 270,000 people annually across our programs. Didi Hirsch has deep roots in community-based mental health and a commitment to providing culturally responsive services that are just and equitable. More than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers make Didi Hirsch's work possible.

Summary

As the Vice President of Development and Communications, you'll provide visionary leadership to advance Didi Hirsch's mission by overseeing all aspects of development and communication. You will advance a development plan focused on growing major and planned giving, institutional funding, annual and direct response campaigns, and special events that deepen donor engagement and strengthen relationships. You'll lead an integrated communications and outreach strategy that elevates Didi Hirsch's visibility and reputation, strengthens its brand, and reduces stigma around mental health and substance use. You will also serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, Executive Team, and Board of Directors, driving both near-term results and long-term sustainability.

Primary Duties

• Partners with the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors to establish and execute short and long-term development and communications goals that will both strengthen the Agency financially and enhance its stature.
• Provides strategic fundraising updates and insights at Board meetings.
• Along with the Committee Chair, leads the Development and Communications Board Committee
• Participates in the executive management team to strengthen and support the programmatic, financial and operational goals of Didi Hirsch.
• In consultation with the Executive Team, develops annual fundraising goals based on short and long-term Agency priorities.
• Oversees a comprehensive individual and major gifts program as well as an institutional giving strategy, ensuring timely submissions and reporting of grants in partnership with program and finance teams.
• Develops and executes an integrated communications strategy and plan, leveraging media, digital platforms, storytelling, and thought leadership to expand visibility and engagement.
• Works with staff and consultants to develop a year-end fundraising appeal that results in increased giving from current contributors and support from new ones.
• Oversees Agency events, including selection of outside contractors, committee development and logistics coordination. Events include Cultivation events, Suicide Prevention 5K Walk / Run, Open Houses and other gatherings.
• Carries a fundraising portfolio and works to identify, cultivate, and solicit major individual and institutional donors. Serves as a visible, external ambassador for Didi Hirsch and a fundraising thought partner to the CEO.
• Coaches and assists staff, volunteers and board members in identifying potential donors and making personal solicitations
• Creates and updates individual fundraising profiles for each staff member and monitoring progress quarterly.
• Oversees planned giving program including trust and bequest management; develops / publishes guidelines and collateral materials describing gift opportunities and methods of giving.
• Develops annual department budget for approval by Chief Executive Officer and manages projects and expenses to achieve budget objectives.
• Works closely with senior director of development operations and donor database manager to generate reports to inform Board and staff of their fundraising success and analyzes and recommends changes based on giving trends.
• Fosters a high-performing, collaborative team culture through recruitment, coaching, professional development, and succession planning.
• Ensures that donors receive timely, effective acknowledgment and supporters receive regular updates about Agency's services and successes.
• Oversees the development and updating of key policies and procedures and ensures cross-training within department.
• Manages the recruitment, performance, appraisal and development of department staff. Ensures staff are trained and are compliant with Agency policies and procedures.
• Maintains working knowledge of current fundraising and marketing practices in the nonprofit / mental health sector.

Position Requirements

Our Vision

A future where everyone has equitable access to care and is empowered to achieve optimal mental health and well-being.

Our Mission

Didi Hirsch provides compassionate mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services to individuals and families, especially in communities where discrimination and injustice limit access.

Core Values

Excellence : We are constantly innovating, learning from the communities we serve, and applying the latest research to advance best practices. We uphold the highest ethical standards to ensure we are providing compassionate and excellent care.

Diversity & Inclusion : We value diversity of background, experience, and ideas. We celebrate differences and prioritize creating a sense of belonging.

Equity : We are dedicated to promoting health equity in our communities, and we work to dismantle disparities and discrimination within both systems of care and society.

Well Being : We are devoted to the well-being of our staff, volunteers, and communities, and believe healthy teams lead to healthy clients.

Advocacy : We advocate across all levels of government and use our voice to reduce barriers to care with the goal of access to high quality, integrated healthcare for all.

Community Engagement : We build partnerships in the community and across sectors to create a more inclusive and responsive mental health ecosystem and enhance greater accessibility to care and support.