Director of Development, San Diego North

San Diego Foundation (SDF) isseekingan experienced, mission-driven

Director of Development, San Diego North Countyto join our Development & Stewardship team. This frontline fundraising leadership roleis responsible for developing 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 making principal 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 SDF’s 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 SDF’s 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 in Liberty Station and Encinitas, along with frequent community engagement throughout San Diego North County.

Essential Responsibilities:

• 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, cultivate,solicit, close, and steward principal gifts ($1,000,000+).
• 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 SDF’s 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Activelyparticipatein the solicitation of gifts for SDF’s 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.