Director of Business Development & Programs

Join a fast-paced non-profit that feels like a family business and operates like a startup.  No job is too big or too small for our dynamic team that passionately educates, communicates, and supports our farm families and employees in Sonoma County. The foundation has three key pillars of work: education, workforce development, and resiliency.

In addition to the work of the foundation, there is a management services agreement with the Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), which educates, communicates, and markets on behalf of the 1,800 grape growers and vineyard owners in Sonoma and Marin Counties.  

We are seeking an innovative and energetic Director of Business Development & Programs. This person must love agriculture, family business and wine and believe in the long-term value of preserving our local farms and supporting our vineyard workforce in the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: 

Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos

The Foundation’s flagship program is the Leadership Academy. It is the nation’s only leadership program specifically for vineyard employees. The Leadership Academy does not teach new farming skills.  Instead, the focus is on introducing, developing, and advancing vital skills needed for vineyard employees to become future leaders in the wine industry and local community.  Topics taught during the eight-month program include sustainability, financial literacy, conflict resolution, communications, human resources, education, disaster preparedness, healthcare, and wine appreciation. 

Leadership Academy

Manage Leadership Academy annual program

• Create and execute annual program
• Establish and execute annual budget
• Create and update course outlines and identify speakers/panelist
• Create and manage sponsorship opportunities for the program and classes

Manage Capstone trip to Washington, D.C.

• Coordinate travel and plan activities and tours, working with partners

Manage Leadership Academy Alumni Program

• Develop quarterly education and social opportunities for the Leadership Academy Alumni

 Foundation’s Monthly Employee Recognition & Annual Celebration Event

• Foster relationships with employers to ensure robust participation in program
• Create annual communication calendar to include announcements, reminders to nominate and other communications necessary
• Manage annual employee of the year selection process and communicate with employees and employers
• Oversee and execute all aspects of annual event

Fundraising & Sponsorship

• Develop and maintain sponsorship program for the foundation to ensure year-round funding opportunities are available
• Strategize and create a target account list for potential new sponsors/donors and create annual outreach plan
• Manage charitable donation process to include tracking, documentation, and collection
• Create an annual fundraising event(s) to support foundation programs
• Identify and apply for potential and applicable grants, and prepare all reporting and follow-up required.

Community Support

• Identify and build relationships with organizations in the community to educate on work of foundation and build potential resources for the foundation programs
• Responsible for content management of SCGGF’s website to ensure community has up to date resources available

Sonoma County Winegrowers:

SCW Sponsorship program

• Develop comprehensive sponsorship program and cultivate sponsors for annual, event, and other future opportunities, reviewing and assessing annually
• Create and maintain tracking system for sponsorship benefits to ensure sponsors are taking full advantage of benefits available
• Foster relationships with current sponsors to ensure continued support
• Strategize and create a target account list for potential new sponsors and create annual outreach plan

AG Center – ag think tank

• Support CEO in organizing and executing annual AG Center think tank meeting

Other program support as needed

Excellent English language communication skills including the ability to read and summarize material in a broad range of professional publications and the ability to write in a clear, concise and compelling manner. Bilingual in Spanish preferred but not required.