Make a Lasting Impact in Santa Cruz County
Build a stronger Santa Cruz County by joining our team! Our employees are passionate about the work we do and the impact we are making in people’s lives and in our community. And as an employer, we’re fortunate to have a diverse, collaborative and hardworking team of professionals—all of whom are dedicated to improving the lives of people in need.
Our United Way offers a flexible work environment built on transparency and trust and most team members have hybrid schedules. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, employer contribution to employee's 403(b) retirement, paid vacation, and sick time off.
United Way Core Competencies for All Staff
- Mission-Focused: Enroll others' commitment to mission to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This drives their performance and professional motivations.
- Relationship-Oriented: Understands that people come before process and is astute in cultivating and managing relationship toward a common goal.
- Collaborator: Understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.
- Results-Driven: Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good; creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.
- Brand Steward: Steward of the brand and understands their role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Expectations for All Staff:
- Behaviors reflect a belief that individuals from diverse backgrounds lead to a more successful organization.
- Educates self about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the organization and community.
- Demonstrates a willingness to become aware of and address one's own implicit bias.
- Deliberately works to include individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in efforts both internally and externally as appropriate.
- Identifies and integrates the tools and resources needed to create more equitable environments.
Openings as of 7/1/25
Development Director
The Development Director will provide strategic leadership for achieving a $2 million development goal. Working closely with the CEO, Board, and program staff, you will develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising and communications plan—spanning workplace campaigns, individual and major gifts, grants, events, and digital giving to ensure long-term financial sustainability. You will oversee the entire development cycle from donor cultivation through stewardship, aligning efforts that advance United4Youth and United4Community initiatives. This role is ideal for a dynamic relationship builder who thrives in collaborative environments and is comfortable managing complex systems and speaking confidently in public settings.
Office Manager & Board Clerk
The Office Manager & Board Clerk plays a critical role in maintaining a welcoming, efficient, and organized office environment for United Way of Santa Cruz County, First 5 Santa Cruz County, and Cradle to Career. This full-time, in-person role is responsible for day-to-day office operations, coordinating internal and external events, supporting general administrative needs, and ensuring compliance with both United Way of Santa Cruz County and First 5 Santa Cruz County bylaws..
The Office Manager & Board Clerk serves as the board secretary for both organizations, manages office systems and vendor contracts, and provides a professional, warm point of contact for the public. This position also supports community outreach, data entry, and various administrative tasks as needed.
Our policy:
United Way employment practices are implemented without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religious beliefs, age, disability, sexual orientation, citizenship status, military status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local fair employment practice laws.