Current open positions:
Resumes for all positions should be sent to resumes@childfocusnj.org with a cover letter addressed to the Executive Director discussing your interest in the specific role.
Benefits for all positions are as follows:
Retirement Plan with 3% organization-funded match (SIRA)
Paid Time Off (First year: 10 Vacation, 10 Sick & 15 Public Holidays, plus additional week in holiday season, and birthday)
Paid family leave (Maternity, Paternity)
Training & Development
QSEHRA Health Care Plan
Flexible schedule
Professional development assistance
Eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness program
Employer-paid life insurance
Our Values
We are Resourceful: We think outside the box to support and create solutions for all children served. We recognize that staff, volunteers, donors, and community members play an integral role in the success of the organization and the children we serve.
We are Respectful: CASA recognizes the vital role that the organization and its advocates play in the child welfare system and in the life of a child and their family. We appreciate individual differences and lifestyle choices, and how both enhance the organization.
We are Resilient: We strive to operate at the highest efficiency, even amid significantly complex situations. We seek opportunities for support that build a stronger community.
We are Responsive: We prioritize the value of active listening, both as an organization and as advocates. Timely communication is a priority in all aspects of the organization.
We value Relationships: Positive working relationships are necessary for overall success. We develop relationships that encourage open and honest communication, while showing maturity in managing conflict and trauma.
Now Hiring For:
Director of Development Strategy & Partnerships
Court Appointed Child Advocate
Director of Development Strategy & Partnerships
Child Focus, Inc. | Northern New Jersey
Help build the future of an organization that refuses to look away when children need someone in their corner.
About Child Focus
Every child deserves to be safe, supported, and surrounded by adults who show up.
At Child Focus, we turn that belief into action.
Formerly Passaic County CASA, Child Focus has grown into a multi-program nonprofit serving children and families across northern New Jersey. Through our Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs in Passaic and Union counties, Safe Babies Court Team work in Passaic, Essex, and Hudson counties, and Open Door Store, we bring advocacy, relationships, and practical support to children and families navigating some of life's most difficult circumstances.
Our work is deeply human, often complicated, and never one-size-fits-all.
We're innovative because children can't wait for systems to catch up. We're collaborative because no one organization can do this work alone. And we're accountable because the stakes are too high to settle for good intentions without meaningful results.
As Child Focus continues to grow and respond to an increasingly challenging funding environment, we are reimagining how development can best support our mission.
We're looking for a leader who wants to help build what comes next.
The Opportunity
This isn't a traditional Director of Development position; we're not looking for someone who wants to inherit a department and simply maintain it.
We're seeking a Director of Development who can think strategically, build authentic relationships, lead people effectively, and make things happen.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this person will serve as a trusted strategic partner and lead the planning, coordination, execution, and performance of Child Focus' fundraising and development efforts. They will help shape a sustainable, diversified fundraising strategy while ensuring the people, projects, and systems needed to execute it are working together.
As an external representative of Child Focus, this person builds relationships with individuals, businesses, foundations, civic organizations, and community partners who share our commitment to children, and is the face of the organization to major donors, corporate partners, and community supporters.
The ideal candidate is equally comfortable sitting across from a prospective major donor, collaborating with a longtime staff member, facilitating a planning meeting, and reviewing a fundraising pipeline to determine what needs attention.
This role combines the strategy of a development executive, the relationship-building ability of a fundraiser, and discipline of an exceptional team leader.
What Makes Someone Successful Here
We recognize a strong candidate isn’t defined solely by job titles or organizations listed on a resume. We're looking for a combination of professional experience, leadership ability, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to relationship-driven fundraising.
Relationship. Develops trust and meaningful connections with donors, community partners,colleagues, and other stakeholders.
Strategic and results-oriented. Connects big-picture goals with practical plans, clear priorities, and measurable outcomes..
Collaborative leader. Brings people together, recognizes strengths, sets expectations, and fosters a culture of respect and accountability
Adaptable and resourceful. Embraces growth and change, identifies opportunities for improvement, and makes thoughtful use of available resources
Strong communicator. Listens well, navigates sensitive situations with professionalism, and engages effectively with diverse audiences.
Mission-driven and accountable. Balances compelling storytelling with data, financial stewardship, measurable progress, and follow-through..
Seeking a meaningful, long-term opportunity. Most of our leadership team and supervisory staff have been with the organization far beyond the average tenure, including many at 12, 15, and 20 years. We are seeking a candidate looking to dedicate long-term commitment to the mission and organization.
Qualifications
Significant progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, development leadership, philanthropy, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated success securing philanthropic support through individual giving, donor cultivation, major gifts, corporate partnerships, or sponsorships.
Experience leading teams, managing complex projects, and coordinating work across multiple functions.
Strong interpersonal, presentation, communication, and relationship management skills.
Ability to develop fundraising strategies, manage pipelines, interpret performance data, and translate goals into action.
Experience partnering with executive leadership, Board members, and community stakeholders.
Sound financial judgment, organizational discipline, and the ability to manage competing priorities.
Comfort using donor management systems, fundraising technology, and project management tools.
Personal or professional experience in child welfare, adoption, foster care, human services, or another mission-driven field is valuable, but not required.
Candidates whose experience may not follow a traditional nonprofit career path but who demonstrate relevant leadership, fundraising, relationship-building, and execution skills are welcome.
Our Culture: The Five R's of Child Focus
Our culture is grounded in five values that shape how we work, lead, and serve: Resourceful, Respectful, Resilient, Responsive, and Relationships.
Resourceful. We think creatively, find solutions, and make the most of the resources entrusted to us.
Respectful. We value different perspectives, experiences, and contributions. We recognize the expertise of our colleagues and partners, and we believe strong leadership combines high expectations with genuine respect.
Resilient. Child welfare work is complex, and the nonprofit funding environment can be unpredictable. We adapt, persevere, and remain focused on what children need, even when circumstances are challenging.
Responsive. We listen actively, communicate clearly, follow through on commitments, and recognize that timely action matters. We believe accountability is demonstrated through what we do, not simply what we intend.
Relationships. We build trust and meaningful partnerships through collaboration, honesty, and shared purpose.
We work hard, support one another, welcome new ideas, and make room for humor and humanity along the way.
We're not looking for someone who needs everything to be perfectly established before they can succeed. We're looking for someone who embodies these values, embraces the opportunity to help an evolving organization continue to grow, and who brings people together around a mission that matters.
Position Details
Title: Director of Development Strategy & Partnerships
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Northern New Jersey; based in Wayne, with work and relationship-building throughout our service area
Schedule: Full-time; occasional evening and weekend events or meetings
Compensation: $80,000-$120,000
Work arrangement: Office and community facing schedule with flexibility for occasional work from home capacities.
Interested?
If you're an accomplished fundraiser and collaborative leader who wants to do more than maintain the status quo, we'd love to hear from you.
Tell us about relationships you've built, teams you've led, ideas you've turned into results, and why Child Focus' mission resonates with you.
To apply: Send a cover letter with your resume to Resumes@childfousnj.org.
Child Focus is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace where diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences are valued.
What You'll Lead
Fundraising Strategy & Sustainability
Partner with the Executive Director to develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that strengthens financial sustainability and diversifies revenue.
Lead individual giving, donor retention, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, annual appeals, fundraising campaigns, and event revenue strategies.
Identify opportunities to expand unrestricted support, recurring gifts, and multi-year commitments.
Translate organizational priorities into realistic fundraising plans, measurable goals, and clear accountability.
Monitor revenue performance, donor pipelines, fundraising forecasts, and emerging opportunities.
Bring creativity and sound judgment to the challenge of growing philanthropic support in a changing funding environment.
Donor Relationships & Community Partnerships
Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual donors, corporate supporters, sponsors, and community partners.
Partner with the Executive Director on major donor relationships, strategic solicitations, and institutional partnerships.
Build meaningful connections with businesses, professional networks, civic organizations, and philanthropic leaders throughout northern New Jersey.
Create thoughtful, personalized stewardship experiences that help supporters understand the difference their investment makes.
Represent Child Focus confidently and authentically at community meetings, events, presentations, and donor engagements.
Develop opportunities for Board members and other organizational ambassadors to open doors, strengthen relationships, and advance fundraising goals.
Department Leadership & Execution
Lead the department's overall work plan, ensuring that priorities are clear, responsibilities are assigned, and commitments are completed.
Supervise designated development staff, providing coaching, direction, accountability, and opportunities for growth.
Establish practical project management processes, regular team check-ins, and effective communication across functions.
Coordinate development priorities with grant management, content and communications, Finance, Programs, and Strategy & Impact.
Support the successful execution of grant-related priorities while respecting the established editorial and grant project management responsibilities of other team members.
Identify bottlenecks, resolve competing priorities, and help the team work smarter rather than simply harder.
Build on the experience and strengths of existing staff while introducing thoughtful improvements to processes and accountability.
Executive & Board Partnership
Serve as a trusted thought partner to the Executive Director on development strategy, funding opportunities, donor relationships, and organizational sustainability.
Bring well-developed recommendations, informed analysis, and practical solutions to leadership discussions.
Prepare clear fundraising updates, forecasts, and progress reports for executive leadership and the Board.
Help engage Board members in fundraising, relationship-building, sponsorship development, and community introductions.
Connect fundraising priorities to the organization's long-term mission, program needs, and strategic direction.
Court Appointed Child Advocate
Summary:
This position serves as the Child Advocate responsible for ensuring the best interest of children in the foster care system by assisting staff and volunteer advocates with visiting children residing across the State of New Jersey.
Examples of Duties:
Maintain detailed records and reports of all activities and contacts.
Conduct monthly face to face visits with children at their home for children placed more than 60-90 minutes away from Passaic or Union Counties.
Drive to locations across the State of New Jersey as required by the organization caseload to access information or conduct in-depth interviews. (Requires reliable personal vehicle, mileage and toll reimbursement)
Interview and maintain contact with service providers, caretakers, and educators in order to promote the best interest of the child to the Court.
Enter all data and activity into “Optima” database system, uploads documents electronically to system, and proofread documents as needed.
Assists Program Director and Case Supervision staff with substitute monthly visits to children as needed.
Performs various clerical duties, including, but not limited to, answering telephones, faxing, copying, filing, maintaining file integration, and electronic and hard copy filing system.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
MA/MS/JD level degree preferred
Successful candidates should have previous experience as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Law Guardian, Law Guardian Investigator or Guardian ad litem (GAL).
Working knowledge of standard office practices and computer programs used by the department, and ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks, and operations. Working knowledge of family court, child welfare, and/or child focused social issues and knowledge and understanding of issues and dynamics within families in crisis relating to child abuse and neglect preferred.
Excellent English grammar skills, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare various documents and reports as required.
Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written and oral instructions, and present findings in oral or written format.
Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment.
Ability to work on several tasks at the same time and work rapidly for long periods, often under time pressure.
Ability to plan and layout assigned work projects, and apply knowledge of people and/or locations. Ability to occasionally work extended, weekend, and/or evening hours, and occasionally travel out of town for training, sometimes overnight.
Possession of a valid driver's license and a demonstrated safe driving record. 50% or more of this position requires travel in personal vehicle. Mileage and tolls are reimbursed.
Bilingual Spanish candidates encouraged to apply.
Supplemental Information:
The successful candidate will perform duties both in a standard office environment and on the road using a personal vehicle, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds, keyboarding, close vision, color perception, handling/grasping objects, speaking clearly and hearing sounds/communication. Incumbent occasionally works extended, weekend, and/or evening hours, traveling during the work day and occasionally travels out of town for training, sometimes overnight. This position is full time (40 hours per week).
Compensation and Benefits:
$60,000 annually; generous PTO, monthly QSEHRA health insurance stipend, life insurance, matching IRA, cell phone/internet stipend, and paid winter holiday week and birthday off.
Hybrid Schedule:
This is primarily an in-person role. After 6 months of successful employment, employees are eligible to participate in the flexible work program that includes one remote day weekly.
Child Focus, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a merit-based hiring and employment process. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
All employment decisions — including recruitment, hiring, promotions, compensation, benefits, training, termination, and other terms and conditions of employment — are made based on individual qualifications, merit, performance, and business needs.
Child Focus, Inc. complies with all relevant federal statutes enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and all other applicable equal employment laws.
If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact the Operations Manager at Pam@childfocusnj.org so we can work with you to meet your needs.