Director, Development

At San Diego Foundation, we value our diverse and experienced staff who are committed to our mission of improving the quality of life within all of San Diego’s communities. We strive to be an employer of choice, offering a competitive compensation package, and a professional and vibrant work environment for those who have a passion for our mission that is carried out every day by providing leadership for effective philanthropy and promoting community solutions. 

San Diego Foundation is seeking an experienced, mission driven Director, Development to join the Development and Stewardship Team. This position will work in coordination with Sr. Director, Development and Vice President, Development and Stewardship to build and cultivate relationships with new and existing fund advisors with capacity to make principal gifts, promote charitable giving products at San Diego Foundation, and support achievement of organizational goals. This is a hybrid role with weekly onsite requirements at our San Diego Headquarter Office in Liberty Station. 

Essential Responsibilities: 

Donor Engagement & Relationship Management

• Manage a portfolio of 50+ fund advisors and high-potential prospects.
• Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for long-term donor relationships.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward fund advisors and prospects.
• Forge long-term relationships to secure principal gifts (gifts of $1,000,000+).

Coordination & Collaboration

• Collaborate with VP, Development and Stewardship, AVP, Philanthropy, and Sr. Director, Development on donor engagement and solicitation strategies.
• Brief and advise staff, executive leadership, and other leaders on principal donor relationships and solicitations.
• Work with team members to implement creative donor stewardship strategies.
• Partner with Communications to support strategic donor marketing and retention efforts.
• Work closely with Finance and Investment teams to enhance donor support through gift planning.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor and coach members of the Development and Stewardship team to enhance fundraising knowledge, skills, and effectiveness.
• Lead by example, modeling best practices in donor engagement and stewardship.

Donor Stewardship & Campaign Support

• Actively participate in the solicitation of gifts for the 50th Anniversary campaign and other initiatives.
• Design and execute impactful donor stewardship strategies to deepen engagement and elevate giving.
• Remain informed about SDF programs, activities, and initiatives to effectively engage donors.

Reporting & Data Management

• Record all donor interactions in the CRM database.
• Track proposals, gifts, and other moves management actions for assigned portfolio.
• Monitor gifts, receipts, and acknowledgment processes in collaboration with Donor Services and Gifts teams to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

Strategic Operations & Systems

• Support organizational development and retention efforts through effective systems and processes.
• Align work with SDF's broader operational goals and fundraising initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and uphold organizational standards.

Qualifications: 

• A minimum of 7-10 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising with high-net-worth individuals. Experience in a community foundation setting is beneficial. 

• Demonstrated track record of soliciting/closing principal and major gifts of $1million and above 

• Passion for the work and mission of San Diego Foundation to inspire enduring philanthropy and enable community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region. 

• Demonstrated comfort working with high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, and/or family offices, as well as successful track record of identifying, cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding significant gifts, as well as building/managing donor/customer relationships.  

• Experience assessing and closing major gift/business opportunities; engaging, cultivating, and stewarding new stakeholders and converting them into strategic partnerships. 

• Capacity for strategic leadership and vision to work with executive leadership on fundraising priorities and to use moves management and metrics to ensure a high level of personal performance and accountability. 

• Deep experience in effectively managing a donor/customer portfolio and consistently moving relationships towards desired outcomes and goals. 

• Effectiveness working independently and across teams, with assiduous attention to sharing information with others. 

• Proficiency in communicating complex issues with diverse audiences and inspiring their engagement and support.  

• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills and high level of emotional intelligence. 

• Highly self-motivated, accountable, and able to make decisions independently. 

• Proficiency with CRM system is highly desirable, proficiency with MSOffice (and/or Google suite), and Internet required. 

• Ability to travel locally and nationally as needed, occasionally work after hours and on weekends. 

• Knowledge of relevant prospect research and philanthropic analytical tools beneficial. 

Language Skills: 

• Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently 

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• Professional, hybrid work environment in San Diego 

• Fast-paced work with multi-level distractions 

• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time at meetings, desk, computer, driving 

• Ability to sit at a desk and view a computer screen for up to two hours 

• Ability to type using a computer keyboard 

• Ability to speak into and use a telephone 

• Salaried Exempt: $140,000.00 - $160,000 .00 (San Diego Foundation is committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. Actual offers will be reflective of qualifications, skills and experience, internal equity, alignment with market data, among other relevant factors.)
• Supportive, inclusive company culture; awarded Top Workplace by the San Diego Union Tribune 4 years in a row  

• Flexible 9/80 Alternative workweek schedule, with every other Friday off  

• Hybrid work environment with support for at home office setup  

• 100% Employer paid medical, vision, dental, life, AD&D and long-term disability premiums; 75% Employer-paid premiums for all dependents on your benefits  

• 403B Retirement plan match up to 4% + Annual discretionary contribution  

• Earned Incentive Program  

• 3 weeks of paid time off + 1 additional week off with pay in July for all staff  

• 4-week sabbatical for every 5 years of service  

• 13 paid holidays + 2 paid volunteer days off each year  

• Extended Health Care Time accruing at 2.77 hours per pay period to a cap of 480 hours: use for sick time, family care, and parental leave baby bonding  

• $100 monthly cell and internet reimbursement  

• $75 quarterly gym reimbursement  

• Donor Advised Fund contribution with no minimum and $600 annual match from the Foundation to a nonprofit of your choice  

• Annual service award $100 donation to nonprofit of your choice  

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.