Decorator Showcase Director

Socket.dev; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

San Francisco University High School is seeking a Director for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase. This role leads strategic vision, oversees venue selection and logistics, and strengthens donor and community partnerships.

It requires hands-on management of designers, homeowners, and vendors to deliver a premier, mission-aligned event. Reporting to the Director of Development, you will steward reserves, budgets, and governance with the Design Advisory Board while guiding a small team of staff

Qualifications

• Strategic vision and leadership for a high-profile showcase event.
• Strong relationship-building with designers, donors, and volunteers.
• Experience guiding boards and committees with governance focus.
• Proven track record managing complex events, budgets, and permits.
• Significant fundraising and sponsorship development experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the entire event lifecycle from venue to logistics.
• Lead designer recruitment and coordination with homeowners and designers.
• Manage budgets, vendor relations, and compliance processes.
• Direct Showcases operations and events team and interns.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Community Relations

Stakeholder Relations

Board Engagement

Job description

Description

About the Role

Since 1977, the San Francisco Decorator Showcase has raised over $20 million to benefit the San Francisco University High School (UHS) Financial Aid Program. As the premier showcase house event on the West Coast, this month-long public event transforms an exemplary San Francisco home through the collaborative efforts of dozens of lauded designers. Revenue from ticket sales, corporate events, and direct fundraising grants hundreds of deserving Bay Area students access to a world-class college preparatory education.

The Director is responsible for strategically advancing the event’s mission while maintaining direct administrative and operational oversight. Reporting to the Director of Development and serving as a key member of the UHS Development Team, you will oversee the entire event lifecycle—from securing the home and managing relationships with homeowners and designers to orchestrating construction logistics and high-end events. Due to the relational nature of this role, it will predominantly be an in person and on site role.

Requirements

Strategic Leadership & Community Relations

• Vision & Strategy: Implement and continually refine the event’s strategic vision, ensuring the program directly aligns with the school’s mission and strategic goals.
• External Ambassadorship: Serve as a key spokesperson for the Decorator Showcase and Financial Aid programs, building strong local and national relationships.
• Stakeholder Relations: Maintain robust, trusting partnerships with designers, real estate professionals, donors, neighbors, and the broader UHS volunteer community.
• Board Engagement: Lead the restructure of the Design Advisory Board (DAB)—including creating by-laws, term limits, and job descriptions—and deliver regular progress reports to both the DAB and the UHS Board of Trustees.

Operational Execution & Project Management

• Site & Venue Management: Identify and confirm annual showcase venues, negotiate lease terms with homeowners, and manage ongoing homeowner and neighbor relations.
• Construction & Compliance: Oversee and manage the house's physical transformation, including pulling permits, sourcing vendor quotes, managing contractors, and hosting inspectors.
• Designer Curation: Lead designer recruitment, selection, and overall project management, acting as the primary liaison between the homeowner and designers to ensure work is completed beautifully and on time.
• Team Leadership: Directly manage the Showcase Operations and Events Manager, alongside seasonal part-time employees and interns, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.

Fundraising & Financial Sustainability

• Budget Oversight: Partner with the UHS Business Office to develop, manage, and scale an annual budget that reflects organizational and strategic priorities.
• Fundraising Strategy: Collaborate closely with the UHS Development Office to drive corporate underwriting programs and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Executive Presence: Proven experience leading large-scale projects, high-level volunteer boards, and cross-functional teams.
• Operations & Logistics Expert: Strong background in complex project management, vendor relations, and navigate regulatory/permitting environments.
• Fundraising & Relationship Savvy: Demonstrated success in donor cultivation, corporate underwriting, and community engagement.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. UHS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including retirement, medical, vision, dental, and vacation.

Reports To: Director of Development

FLSA Status and Schedule: Exempt 12-month - full time

Salary: $135,000 - $150,000

Non-Discrimination Policy

San Francisco University High School is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. School policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.