Director, Development

SFJAZZ is a recognized international leader in jazz creation, presentation, and education. SFJAZZ explores the full spectrum of jazz—from the music’s origins in the African American community, to its diverse present-day expressions around the world. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, SFJAZZ works to develop the audience for jazz in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. SFJAZZ celebrates jazz as a living art form, built on a constantly evolving tradition.

SFJAZZ is one of the world’s most popular presenters of jazz. The SFJAZZ Center is a beautiful stage for jazz artists and the community to celebrate the living American art form of jazz. Our 37-year-old non-profit organization crafts distinguished programming and education services from the heart of the San Francisco arts district, reaching 200,000 fans annually and supported by 15,000 Members and donors. In March 2020, SFJAZZ launched its initial digital offering Fridays at Five and the SFJAZZ Digital platform now includes members in all 50 U.S. states and more than 50 countries.

To increase SFJAZZ’s capacity to drive the mission forward for the community it serves, Nonprofit HR has been exclusively retained to assist in the recruitment efforts for a Director, Development (Director). Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Development leads all aspects of SFJAZZ’s short and long-term contributed revenue efforts, raising nearly $8 million for the annual fund as well as capital initiatives for designated and special projects. The Director of Development manages a staff of 12 in the planning and execution of major gifts, special events, membership, institutional, and planned giving programs. The Director is a strategic thinker and is responsible for developing a bold development plan and the fundraising strategies to achieve the plan.

Further, s/he/they will set goals, monitor work, and evaluate results to ensure that departmental and organizational objectives are met and are in line with the needs and mission of the organization. The Director is a key leader in advancing SFJAZZ’s mission and strategic direction. The Director develops and leads SFJAZZ’s efforts to enhance current and generate new programmatic and unrestricted funding. The Director will oversee and support the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual, government, corporate, and foundation donors, and drive efforts to broaden the donor base and revenue streams. It is also the responsibility of the Director to recruit and retain a robust network of members, and cultivate a meaningful, valuable and impactful membership experience.

The Director ensures that the organization is well positioned in a rapidly evolving and competitive environment. The Director ensures that strategies are clearly understood by all stakeholders and that the development office is achieving its strategic goals at an optimum pace. In collaboration with the CEO, s/he/they identifies and leads new business development opportunities and ensures highly productive and positive relationships for the benefit of SFJAZZ. The Director serves as the Chief Fundraiser for the organization and successfully balances a (at times) rigorous travel schedule meeting with potential and current funders.

The ideal candidate will possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Degree preferred) with a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience, including at least five years of executive-level fundraising experience with private foundations, corporations, and major donors on a national scale. This role requires passion for SFJAZZ’s mission and goals, coupled with work experience and donor contacts in mission aligned areas. The position requires a proven track record in fundraising from a variety of sources, including government agencies, private foundations, individuals, and the private sector. The person should be skilled at building relationships among and working effectively with diverse groups, and preferably have knowledge of and/or experience serving underrepresented communities, neighborhoods, and populations. It is essential that s/he/they possess excellent written and oral communication skills, with considerable experience in writing and presenting information to a variety of audiences, as well as a demonstrated ability to use data and CRM systems to set fundraising strategy and priorities, measure outcomes, and drive superior performance. Candidates with experience using CRM systems for direct marketing as well as donor research and prospecting are encouraged to apply.

For consideration, interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Your cover letter must address your experience and qualifications for the position. Please visit: www.SFJAZZ.org for more information about the organization.