Executive Director (Part Time)

Job Description

Location: San Diego, CA. Remote work; local for events and partner meetings.

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Start date: January 1, 2027

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Type: Independent contractor (1099)

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Hours: ~80 hours/month

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Compensation: $60,000 base + performance bonuses. Target total comp: $65,000–$100,000.

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Application deadline: October 26, 2026

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About SDAF

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The San Diego Architectural Foundation (SDAF) is a nonprofit dedicated to education and the promotion of outstanding architecture, planning, landscape, interior, and urban design throughout the San Diego region.

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Through public programs, events, tours, conversations, awards, and educational initiatives, SDAF connects the design community with the public, civic institutions, community organizations, educational partners, sponsors, and supporters who care about the places that shape our region.

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Mission: Promoting outstanding architecture, landscape, interior, and urban design to improve the quality of life for all San Diegans.

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Signature Programs

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• Orchids & Onions: San Diego’s only community-driven awards program, recognizing architecture, planning, landscape architecture, interior design, historic preservation, and more through public nominations, professional jury review, and the People’s Choice award.
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• Open House San Diego: The region’s largest free architectural festival and part of Open House Worldwide, opening remarkable buildings and public spaces to the community.
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• PechaKucha Night (PKN): SDAF’s San Diego presentation of the global format featuring designers and creatives sharing work through 20 images and 20 seconds per image.
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• BEEP (Built Environment Education Program): Partnerships with architects and design professionals to introduce K-12 students to concepts shaping buildings, places, and spaces.
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• Signature Events: Taste of Design, Hot Property Tours, Design Film Series, and other programs offering opportunities to experience and explore the built environment.
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• Scholarships: Support for students pursuing architecture and related fields.
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• Additional Programs: Public programs, partnerships, and community initiatives throughout the year.
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The Role

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SDAF seeks a relationship-driven leader who combines financial and organizational leadership with the ability to build partnerships and inspire support for SDAF’s mission.

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The Executive Director will oversee day-to-day operations in close partnership with the Board of Directors, Executive Officers, contractors, and service providers. SDAF has no physical office; the Executive Director will work remotely while being present in San Diego for events, sponsor meetings, civic conversations, and partner engagement.

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Fundraising and relationship-building are central to the role. The Executive Director will turn Board and personal connections into lasting donor, sponsor, grant, and partnership relationships that strengthen SDAF’s financial sustainability.

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What You’ll Do

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Financial Stewardship & Revenue Development

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• Lead fundraising across donors, sponsors, grants, and partnerships.
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• Strengthen existing relationships, re-engage lapsed supporters, and develop new opportunities.
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• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
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• Maintain a clear development pipeline with the Board.
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• Reach $30,000 in new annual revenue, with milestone bonuses for exceeding it.
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• Build a stronger, more diversified financial foundation.
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Strategic Leadership & Governance

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• Work with the Board and Executive Officers to establish priorities and turn ideas into clear plans and action.
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• Identify opportunities and risks.
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• Support strong governance, bylaws compliance, and nonprofit best practices.
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Operations

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• Oversee day-to-day operations and improve systems and processes.
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• Support Board committees in planning and executing programs and signature events.
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• Keep program work aligned with budget and organizational capacity.
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• Coordinate contractors and service providers with clear expectations and accountability.
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Communications & Public Presence

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• Shape SDAF’s voice, marketing, communications, and public relations.
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• Build awareness of SDAF’s programs and mission.
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• Strengthen SDAF’s public presence and serve as the face of the organization.
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What Success Looks Like

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The successful Executive Director will:

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• Strengthen and diversify revenue through sponsorships, philanthropy, grants, partnerships, and other opportunities.
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• Build relationships with sponsors, donors, community organizations, and strategic partners.
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• Broaden community participation and SDAF’s visibility throughout the region.
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• Ensure signature programs are impactful, well-managed, and financially sustainable.
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• Build strong organizational systems and an effective workflow with the Board.
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First 90 Days

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• Establish meaningful relationships with at least 12 existing key sponsors, donors, community partners, and stakeholders through meetings, calls, and events.
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• Assess SDAF’s financial position, development efforts, and fundraising pipeline.
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• Establish priorities and present a Year-One development and sustainability plan to the Board.
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First 6 Months

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• Demonstrate progress toward agreed fundraising and revenue goals.
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• Establish a consistent financial and organizational reporting cadence.
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• Re-engage 5 former sponsors/partners while cultivating 5 new funding and partnership opportunities.
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First 12 Months

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• Achieve agreed revenue and fundraising goals and establish a strong pipeline for the following year.
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• Strengthen relationships with sponsors, donors, community partners, and supporters.
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• Demonstrate progress toward a more diversified and sustainable revenue model.
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• Improve and document operational systems supporting SDAF’s long-term effectiveness and growth.
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Who We’re Looking For

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Required

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• 5+ years of nonprofit leadership experience , such as Executive Director, Development Director, COO, or equivalent.
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• Demonstrated fundraising track record: You have personally cultivated donors, sponsors, grants, or partnerships and can point to measurable results.
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• Strong communicator: You write clearly, tell compelling stories, and confidently represent SDAF with community leaders, donors, design professionals, civic officials, and the public.
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• Builder and problem-solver: You are comfortable creating systems, improving processes, and moving ideas forward without a playbook.
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• Interest in San Diego and the built environment: You are curious about how the region is shaped and eager to engage with the people, communities, organizations, and issues influencing its future. Architecture or design credentials are not required.
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• Independent, hands-on working style: You can manage priorities, take initiative, and work effectively without day-to-day supervision or a traditional office.
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Preferred

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• Experience growing a small nonprofit through a revenue inflection.
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• Existing San Diego donor, civic, or AEC-industry relationships.
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What SDAF Provides You

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• An engaged, working Board that opens doors, makes connections, and shows up.
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• Warm introductions to current sponsors, donors, and AEC industry contacts.
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• An established and respected brand with 40+ years in San Diego’s architecture and design community.
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• Signature programs with built-in audiences and strong community recognition.
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• Part-time administrative support funded through an existing grant.
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• Accessible Executive Officers who are engaged, responsive, and ready to support you.
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• Financial transparency, including access to SDAF’s financial reporting, most recent Form 990, and annual report.
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Compensation and Work Environment

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Base: $60,000/year

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Commitment: part time (80 hours/month)

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Performance bonus milestones. We heavily reward growth. Candidates are eligible for a lump-sum performance bonus based on the highest revenue milestone achieved:

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$5,000 if new revenue raised reaches $30,000

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$10,000 if new revenue raised reaches $70,000

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$17,500 if new revenue raised reaches $100,000

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$27,500 if new revenue raised reaches $125,000

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$40,000 if new revenue raised reaches $150,000

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Target total compensation: $65,000–$100,000 annually based on fundraising performance.

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Engagement: 1099 independent contractor. You handle your own taxes, insurance, and equipment.

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Term: Annual agreement, renewable, with 45-day termination notice for either party.

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Performance check-ins: Quarterly with the final check-in as an annual review

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Flexibility and autonomy with remote work and a self-directed schedule.

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How to Apply

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Send the following to View email address on ziprecruiter.com with subject line “SDAF Executive Director: [Your Name]” :

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• A cover letter telling us why this role and why now.
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• Your resume or CV.
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• One concrete example of revenue you have grown for a prior organization, with numbers.
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• Three professional references. We will not contact them without your permission.
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Deadline: October 26, 2026

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Interviews: Early November 2026

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Target start date: January 1, 2027

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Equal Opportunity

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SDAF is committed to building a leadership team that reflects the diversity of San Diego. We encourage applications from BIPOC, women, LGBTQ+, disabled, and other historically underrepresented candidates.

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SDAF does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

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