Director of Development, San Diego North County

San Diego Foundation (SDF) isseekingan experienced mission-drivenDirector of Development San Diego North Countyto join our Development & Stewardship team. This frontline fundraising leadership roleis responsible fordeveloping and implementing strategies to grow donor engagement and major gifts fundraising in San Diego North County communities with a primary focus on fund advisors and donor prospects capable of makingprincipal gifts of $1 million or more.

The Director leads San Diego North County development efforts by building deep trusted relationships with donors professional advisors and community partners; launching engagement and event strategies that foster connected philanthropy communities; and promoting SDFs charitable giving vehicles to advance organizational fundraising and community impact goals.

Working closely with the Senior Director Philanthropic Strategy; Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy; and Vice President of Development & Stewardship the Director plays a key role in expanding SDFs philanthropic reach across the region. This position requires a relationship-driven strategic fundraiser with strong judgment anddemonstratedsuccess in innovative fundraising strategies.

This is ahybrid rolewith regular onsite presencerequiredat SDF offices inLiberty Station and Encinitas along with frequent community engagement throughout San Diego North County.

Essential Responsibilities:

Donor Engagement & Relationship Management

• Develop and implement a strategy to grow donor engagement and major gifts fundraising in San Diego North County communities.
• Manage a portfolio of60 fund advisors and high-potential donor prospects.
• Identify cultivatesolicit close and stewardprincipal gifts ($1000000).
• Launch event and engagement strategies to build connected philanthropy communities in San Diego North County.
• Build and steward long-term relationships withhigh-net-worth individuals family foundations family offices and aligned donors.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with professional advisors(e.g. attorneys wealth managers financial planners) to advance philanthropic partnerships andgivingopportunities.
• Maintain a broad understanding of the San Diego community - including regional needs opportunities issues and use this knowledge to advance SDFs donor engagement goals and community impact.
• Represent San Diego Foundation as a trusted philanthropic leaderat community nonprofit and donor-facing events with a strong emphasis on relationship-building in San Diego North County.

Coordination & Collaboration

• Collaborate with division leadership on donor engagement and solicitation strategies including portfolio planning and principal gift activity.
• Collaborate effectively with divisional and organization-wide teams including Communications Finance Investments Programs Donor Services and Gifts to elevate SDFobjectivesand outcomes.
• Provide thoughtful briefings and strategic recommendations to executive leadershipregardingmajor donor relationships and solicitations.
• Work with team members to implement creative donor solicitation and stewardship strategies with an emphasis on San Diego North County communities.
• Partner with Communications to support donor marketing storytelling and retention initiatives.
• Work closely with Finance and Investment teams to enhance donor support including charitable gift planning.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor and coach members of the Development & Stewardship team to strengthen fundraising knowledge skills and effectiveness.
• Lead by example modeling best practices in donor engagement stewardship and philanthropic relationship management.
• Support a culture of collaboration learning accountability and excellence across the division.

Donor Stewardship & Campaign Support

• Activelyparticipatein the solicitation of gifts for SDFs 50th Anniversary campaign and other San Diego Foundation initiatives.
• Design and execute impactful donor stewardship strategies that deepen engagement and inspire increased giving.
• Maintain awareness of SDF programs initiatives and strategic priorities to inform donor conversations and philanthropic planning.

Reporting Data Management & Operations

• Document all donor interactionsmovesmanagement activity and solicitations in the CRM system.
• Track proposals gifts and pipeline progress to ensuretimelyfollow-up andaccuratereporting.
• Collaborate with Donor Services and Gifts teams tomonitorgift receipts and acknowledgments for accuracy and timeliness.
• Support organizational systems workflows and donor engagement processes that promote operational excellence.
• Align fundraising activities with SDFs broader strategic plan and organizational goals.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies industry best practices and donor confidentiality standards.
• Performadditionalresponsibilities as assigned by the Senior Director Philanthropic Strategy.

• 710 yearsof nonprofit fundraising experience working with high-net-worth individuals; community foundation experience preferred.
• Demonstrated successidentifying cultivatingsoliciting and closingmajor and principal gifts of $1 million or more.
• Proven ability to convert prospects into long-term strategic philanthropic partnerships.
• Experience engaging high-net-worth individuals family foundations family offices and professional advisors.
• Strong critical thinker withdemonstratedsuccess developing and executing innovative fundraising strategies.
• Ability to independently manage a donor portfolio and consistently move relationships toward defined goals.
• Strong cross-team collaboration skills with a commitment to transparent communication.
• Exceptional interpersonal verbal and written communication skills.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to build trust with diverse constituents.
• Highly self-motivated accountable and able tooperateindependently.
• Proficiencywith CRM systems Microsoft Office Suite and/or Google Workspace and online research tools.
• Ability to travel locally and nationally; willingness to work evenings or weekends as needed.
• Knowledge of prospect research metrics and philanthropic data tools is beneficial.
• Ability to read write and speak English fluently.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Hybrid work environment based in San Diego with regular onsite presence inLiberty Station and Encinitas.
• Fast-paced setting with multiple priorities and frequent interruptions.
• Ability to sit stand walk or drive for periods of time with or without accommodation.
• Ability to view and use a computer screen for extended periods.
• Ability to enter and retrieve information using a computer keyboard or similar tools.
• Ability to communicate by phone or other methods with or without accommodation.
• Ability tolift upto 20 pounds or requestassistanceas needed.

• Salaried Exempt $140000.00 - $160000.00(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 5 years in a row
• Flexibility to choose a 9/80 schedule giving you 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.

Required Experience:

Director