Director, Donor Strategy & Operations

Location: San Francisco, CA Department: Philanthropy and Gift Planning Type: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt Min. Experience: Senior -Level

The Semi-monthly (per pay period) compensation for this position in FY26 is: $7,798.46 per pay period

Organizational Result

All people living in the San Francisco Bay Area are economically secure, rooted in vibrant communities and engaged in civic life.

We Value

Anti-racism, Boldness, Equity, Rooted in Community

Position Summary

The Director, Donor Strategy & Operations will develop and implement actionable strategies aimed at organizational growth via development and donor engagement activities. This position will create systems and manage projects that ensure fundholders, donors, and partners at the San Francisco Foundation value being part of a generous community that actively works to support an equitable and thriving Bay Area for all. This position will lead the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to create a “best in class” donor engagement experience at the San Francisco Foundation and oversee events in order to deepen donors’ connections with the Bay Area nonprofit community, with each other, and SFF.

Boundaries

The Director, Donor Strategy & Operations will enable effective and innovative use of technology, engagement strategies, and donor communications to attract prospects and engage the donors of the San Francisco Foundation – including Donor Advised Fund holders, nonprofits who hold endowment funds, donors interested in supporting SFF’s programs and operations, legacy giving donors, and other philanthropic donations. This position works with front-line fundraisers and philanthropic advisors to grow revenue and increase impact, and collaborates across teams especially with Marketing & Communications (on donor communications & engagement) and IT (on CRM management and utilization).

Authority

The Director, Donor Strategy & Operations is part of the Philanthropy and Gift Planning Department (PGP) department, which is responsible for engaging donors to raise funds and to move resources into the community. The position reports to the Chief Philanthropy Officer and manages a team of three.

Role

The Director fulfills supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the SFF's policies and applicable laws and is responsible for interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; and all aspects of performance management.

Tasks

• Lead the creation and execution of a best-in-class donor engagement strategy, including developing a segmented approach to donor engagement.
• Provide leadership for process optimization and technology enhancements to drive improved relationship management with donors, impact, and reporting.
• Identify and develop opportunities to build a more effective and efficient Philanthropy & Gift Planning Department.
• Partner with the Marketing & Communications Department on donor and prospect engagement including donor and professional advisor newsletters, events, and other outreach
• Work and communicate cross-departmentally to drive projects forward and ensure alignment, serving as a liaison between PGP and other departments (especially Marketing & Communications, IT, and Community Impact) and Grants Management to ensure adequate understanding of processes and how work of different departments intersects and can be complementary and collaborative
• Manage the PGP Operations Manager, Operations Associate, and Events Manager.
• In partnership with the CPO, develop a Donor Segmentation Framework and continually work to balance portfolios to maximize staff success and optimize donor potential.
• Develop strategy and support the execution of a small portfolio of donor events.
• Create systems to ensure excellent donor experiences, including but not limited to new donor set up and ensuring smooth transitions among PGP sub-teams, donor stewardship, measuring portfolio engagement, and all aspects of how SFF engages with donors.
• Serve as the PGP lead representative on the implementation of SFF’s technology roadmap.

Competencies & Qualifications

• 7 years of relevant experience and 3 years of people management experience
• Experience in development and donor engagement, working to support donor relations for ultra-high-net worth individuals and families
• Experience in CRM systems and using CRMs for business development, reporting for impact, and decision making, Salesforce preferred.
• Exceptional project management skills
• Ability to collaborate and influence across departments
• Desire and ability to learn new applications quickly and innovate on processes
• Demonstrated interest in SFF’s mission and commitment to equity in the Bay Area
• Active listening, critical thinking, and a willingness to listen to dissident voices
• People management and development, humility, and high emotional intelligence
• Intermediate to advanced computer/software skills, including Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, & Teams) and Zoom.
• Ability to learn, navigate and manage online platforms, including Fluxx, Qlik sense, Smartsheet, Salesforce, and Adaptive

Compensation: The San Francisco Foundation offers a very competitive total compensation package including base compensation in alignment with our organizational budget size and rich medical and fringe benefits offerings. This position pays $7,798.46 per pay period. You may read more about our compensation philosophy and benefits on the career page.

Remote Work Policy: The Foundation has adopted a long-term hybrid in-person and remote work policy. Employees must reside or plan to relocate within the San Francisco Bay Area.

Requesting Accommodations: The Foundation is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Foundation will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected].

The San Francisco Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of diverse backgrounds to apply.