Director of Development, San Diego North

San Diego Foundation (SDF) is seeking an experienced, mission-driven Director of Development, San Diego North County to join our Development & Stewardship team. This frontline fundraising leadership role is 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 and demonstrated success in innovative fundraising strategies.

This is a hybrid role with regular onsite presence required at SDF offices in Liberty Station and Encinitas, along with frequent community engagement throughout San Diego North County.

• Develop and implement a strategy to grow donor engagement and major gifts fundraising in San Diego North County communities.
• Manage a portfolio of 60+ 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 with high‑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 and giving opportunities.
• 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 leader at 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 SDF objectives and outcomes.
• Provide thoughtful briefings and strategic recommendations to executive leadership regarding major 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.

• Actively participate in 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…