Deputy Director of Development

201 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102

Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, the Deputy Director of Development (DDD) is a key strategic leader and the second most senior position on the San Francisco Symphony’s (the Symphony) Development Team. Serving as a senior partner and designated proxy to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, the DDD plays a central leadership role in departmental strategy, contributed revenue growth, team performance, and organizational planning across the Symphony’s philanthropy operation.

Together, they help lead a comprehensive philanthropy program that generates approximately $35 million annually.

The DDD provides leadership for the Symphony’s frontline fundraising efforts, the largest fundraising vertical within the Development department, and oversees a team of nine development professionals, including senior fundraising leaders responsible for major gifts, leadership annual giving, new philanthropy, and foundation and government support. Through this leadership structure, the DDD guides strategy, performance, and contributed revenue growth across a broad portfolio of fundraising activity and donor engagement initiatives.

Working closely with the Chief Philanthropy Officer, Board leadership, fundraising volunteers, and senior institutional leadership, the DDD helps advance the Symphony’s philanthropic priorities and fosters a culture of ambitious, relationship‑driven fundraising across the organization.

As a senior frontline fundraiser, the DDD personally manages a select portfolio of approximately 45 to 50 leadership and major gift households and prospects, with annual fundraising responsibility of approximately $3 million to $5 million in support of the Annual Fund and broader institutional priorities.

The Symphony operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring a minimum of two days per week in the office. The Deputy Director of Development is expected to maintain an active presence at select concerts, donor events, and other organizational activities throughout the year, including some evenings and weekends.

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a senior strategic and operational partner to the Chief Philanthropy Officer in departmental planning, contributed revenue strategy, organizational leadership, and overall philanthropy operations.
• Lead strategy and performance for the Symphony’s frontline fundraising efforts, including major gifts, leadership annual giving, foundation and government support, and new philanthropy initiatives.
• Provide leadership, direction, and mentorship for senior fundraising leaders and their teams to ensure strong portfolio management, strategic donor engagement, and achievement of ambitious contributed revenue goals.
• Oversee and guide contributed revenue growth strategies, donor pipeline development, and fundraising performance across frontline fundraising programs and donor segments.
• Serve as a member of the Development Leadership Team, contributing to department-wide planning, cross‑functional collaboration, and organizational strategy.
• Manage a select portfolio of approximately 45 to 50 leadership and major gift households and prospects through all stages of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with annual fundraising responsibility of approximately $3 million to $5 million.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and volunteer leaders to identify, cultivate, and engage prospective Board members and philanthropic leaders.
• Represent the Development department internally and externally as a senior institutional leader and ambassador for the Symphony’s mission, vision, and philanthropic priorities.

Board and Donor Engagement

• Partner closely with the Chief Philanthropy Officer, Board leadership, and fundraising volunteers to strengthen philanthropic engagement and advance contributed revenue goals.
• Attend and participate in Board and committee meetings, including Development, Gift Planning, Committee on Governors, and other meetings as needed.
• Advise Board members and volunteer leaders on donor engagement strategies, cultivation planning, philanthropic best practices, and…