Deputy Director of Development

San Francisco Symphony; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

San Francisco Symphony is seeking a Deputy Director of Development (DDD) to provide strategic leadership for fundraising efforts and manage a team of nine development professionals. The DDD will partner with the Chief Philanthropy Officer to enhance the organization’s philanthropic initiatives.

Responsibilities include overseeing major gifts and organizational strategy, managing donor engagement, and contributing to fundraising growth. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in fundraising and a passion for the arts.

The position requires periodic travel throughout California and attendance at evening and weekend events.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a senior fundraising role.
• Proven track record of managing significant fundraising portfolios.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization’s frontline fundraising efforts.
• Oversee development team performance and strategy.
• Engage with Board and community stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising Strategy

Donor Engagement

Portfolio Management

Education

Relevant Bachelor’s degree

Job description

9 am-5 pm; intermittent evenings and weekends

Reports To:

Yes. Leads a team of 9 with 4 direct reports

JOB SUMMARY

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 Development Team. Serving as a senior partner and 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.

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 foster a culture of ambitious, relationship-driven fundraising across the organization.

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

The ability to travel as needed to represent the Symphony throughout the Bay Area and Northern California, and to attend evening and weekend concerts and events, is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

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 45–50 leadership and major gift households and prospects through all stages of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with annual fundraising responsibility of approximately $3M–$5M.
• 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.
• Take on other strategic leadership and organizational responsibilities as needed.

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 community ambassadorship.
• Help shape and support strategies that build meaningful pathways for the Bay Area’s diverse communities to engage with and support the Symphony as donors, partners, advisors, and ambassadors.
• Foster strong relationships with donors, trustees, institutional partners, and community stakeholders in support of the Symphony’s fundraising and engagement priorities.
• Take on other Board and donor engagement responsibilities as needed.

Team and Organizational Oversight

• Provide strategic leadership, coaching, and management for senior fundraising staff and their teams to maximize performance, collaboration, accountability, and contributed revenue growth.
• Ensure fundraising portfolios and donor strategies are managed according to best practices and aligned with institutional fundraising priorities and annual goals.
• Guide and support the development of robust donor pipeline and discovery strategies across multiple channels and donor segments.
• Partner collaboratively with colleagues across Development, including Donor Engagement, Development Operations, and Legacy Giving, to strengthen integration, communication, and overall departmental effectiveness.
• Help foster a collaborative, high-performing, and team-oriented culture grounded in accountability, professionalism, respect, and shared purpose.
• Maintain a broad understanding of charitable giving strategies, tax considerations, and philanthropic trends relevant to high-net-worth donors and institutional fundraising.
• Take on other team leadership and organizational responsibilities as needed.