Senior Director of Philanthropy

Description San Diego Youth Services seeks a Senior Director of Philanthropy in the Marketing & Development program to be based in San Diego. This is a full‑time & exempt position reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. Who we are San Diego Youth Services has helped improve the lives of more than 834,000 homeless, runaway and vulnerable youth since its beginning in 1970. We provide safe places to live and long‑term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing to more than 16,000 youth every year at 100+ community and school locations. Through prevention, early intervention and treatment, we also help youth before they need higher levels of care or become homeless. We aim to: Meet the basic needs of youth. Hunger, poverty and youth homelessness are on the rise for many youth and their families today. We help meet these basic needs for youth. What could be more vital than food and shelter? We provide safe places to live and long‑term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing. Create positive connection. We help youth focus on positive life changes and healthy relationships as part of providing needed resources and services. San Diego Youth Services has long provided foster homes and adoption support services for families considering adopting a youth in the foster care system. Help youth develop life skills. In addition to a range of safe and stable housing options, we offer support to help youth develop the independent living skills necessary to become self‑sufficient and keep off the streets. Promote overall health and well‑being. Early intervention and care for the whole child are critical. We provide a broad continuum of services to help youth overcome trauma and challenges that put them at risk, including case management, counseling, mental health treatment and educational support and resources. SDYS has a staff of approximately 250 employees and 80 volunteers working across San Diego County and an annual budget of approximately $24 million. You can learn more about us at Context of the Position The Senior Director of Development is responsible for leading the daily operations of the organization's fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation, stewardship, annual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, grants, fundraising events, and donor engagement. Reporting to the CEO, this position develops and implements fundraising initiatives that advance philanthropic revenue while supporting the organization's strategic goals. Essential Functions Philanthropy & Fundraising Strategy Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive annual fundraising strategy aligned with organizational priorities. Establish annual fundraising goals, revenue projections, and key performance indicators. Personally manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects through all stages of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Manage annual giving campaigns. Lead special fundraising initiatives, giving campaigns, and campaign readiness efforts, including capital or comprehensive campaigns when applicable. Develop and manage donor stewardship strategies. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, and foundation donors. Build and maintain a healthy donor pipeline. Manage donor portfolios and prospect moves management. Coordinate donor recognition activities. Manage donor database. Develop and maintain fundraising dashboards, pipeline reports, and performance metrics to evaluate fundraising effectiveness and inform strategic decision-making. Co‑lead the planning and execution of agency fundraising events. Develop strategies to expand planned giving and legacy giving opportunities. Identify, evaluate, and prioritize prospective donors using data, research, and relationship mapping strategies. Monitor emerging trends and best practices in philanthropy and recommend innovative strategies to strengthen donor engagement and increase philanthropic revenue. Develop and manage the philanthropy budget and monitor fundraising performance against established goals. CEO & Board Partnership Partner with the CEO to develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for major donors and strategic prospects. Support the Board of Directors and Development Committee in fundraising activities, donor engagement, and relationship development. Prepare donor briefings, meeting materials, and solicitation strategies for executive leadership and board members. Foundation & Corporate Giving Identify funding opportunities. Develop relationships with corporate partners and foundations. Support grant strategy and proposal development. Coordinate sponsorship opportunities. Community Partnerships Represent SDYS throughout the community to strengthen awareness, engagement, and philanthropic support. Build and maintain relationships with civic organizations, community leaders, businesses, and strategic partners. Participate in networking opportunities that expand SDYS's visibility and fundraising opportunities. Foster volunteer engagement as a pathway to deeper community involvement and philanthropy. Interdepartmental Collaboration Partner with the Senior Director of Marketing to develop integrated fundraising campaigns. Collaborate with the leadership team, on strategic initiatives and long‑range fundraising planning. Work closely with program leaders to communicate impact and identify funding opportunities. Team Leadership Supervise, coach, and develop fundraising staff while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Establish departmental goals, monitor performance, and support professional development. SDYS Expectations Adhere to and uphold the rigorous standards of SDYS as mandated by its mission, purpose, guiding principles and standards of quality. Maintain confidentiality and privacy standards of service partner protected health information and other applicable information and material in accordance to agency and center policies, and applicable regulations and laws including HIPAA. Welcome and support SDYS volunteers and assist them in accomplishing their services whenever applicable. Effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Receive and give supportive feedback to foster equity and inclusion in working relationships. Recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co‑workers. Maintain warm, welcoming and safe work environments. Possess flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office. Requirements and Qualifications Bachelor's degree preferred. 7+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience. Experience in public speaking and excellent oral and written skills required. Demonstrated success managing comprehensive fundraising programs. Experience with major gifts, annual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, and fundraising events. Experience supervising development professionals. Experience working with donor CRM systems. Familiar with planning systems, policies and procedures. Motivated; results oriented; team worker; flexible; able to quickly shift and adapt to changing priorities. Physical Requirements Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift approx. 20lbs at a time of supplies and equipment. Supervisory Responsibilities This position does have supervisor functions. Salary range: $125,000 - $145,000 To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on SDYS website. SDYS offers a comprehensive benefits package to full time employees that includes generous PTO, personal holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, parental leave and a 403(b)-retirement plan with matching contribution. SDYS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer. SDYS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. In compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended, all new employees must verify their eligibility to work in the United States. #J-18808-Ljbffr