Director of Advancement & Community Impact

SF Day; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 215,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Dental

Vision coverage

Retirement plan

Professional development support

Job summary

San Francisco Day School seeks a Director of Advancement to build and refresh our development program. You will shape engagement, storytelling, and a culture of generosity, beyond traditional fundraising. This role emphasizes community-building, donor relationships, and durable systems.

You will lead a nimble team, collaborate across school life, and drive campaigns with impact. A strong background in independent schools and capital campaigns is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred) with at least seven years in advancement.
• Track record closing major gifts and growing annual funds.
• Experience with donors new to institutional philanthropy a plus.
• Strong data fluency with metrics, reporting, and analytics.
• Tech-savvy with Google Docs/Sheets and other productivity tools.
• Experience leading and developing a team with coaching style.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Capital campaign readiness or experience required.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to navigate complex relationships.
• Deep belief in independent school mission and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and plan the advancement program with ambitious annual goals.
• Develop data-informed plans for donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Build partnerships with families and donors, managing relationships with care.
• Provide clear reporting to Head of School and Board; translate data into decisions.
• Oversee stewardship to ensure donors feel seen and connected.
• Design joyful fundraising events and campaigns reflecting the school’s character.
• Collaborate with communications to tell compelling philanthropic stories.
• Manage onboarding and growth of the advancement team.
• Plan long-range capital campaign strategy and budget.

Skills

Independent schools experience

Fundraising and donor relations

Data fluency and reporting

Team leadership

Capital campaign experience

Donor stewardship

Relationship building

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Prospect research

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Raiser's Edge

CRM systems

Google Docs

Google Sheets

Job description

San Francisco Day School seeks a Director of Advancement to build and refresh our development program. You will shape engagement, storytelling, and a culture of generosity, beyond traditional fundraising. This role emphasizes community-building, donor relationships, and durable systems.

You will lead a nimble team, collaborate across school life, and drive campaigns with impact. A strong background in independent schools and capital campaigns is preferred.