The Chief Philanthropy & External Affairs Officer

Insight Housing; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Housing seeks a Chief Philanthropy & External Affairs Officer to lead external engagement, fundraising strategy, and revenue growth toward a $3M annual goal. The role reports to the CEO and guides philanthropy, policy, and communications across the executive team.

The leader will supervise the Philanthropy Manager and Policy & Communications Manager, cultivating partnerships and building a data-driven, results-oriented culture to advance housing solutions in Northern California.

Qualifications

• Proven major gifts and capital campaign leadership with six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Strategic thinker who connects philanthropy to programmatic and real estate priorities.
• Exceptional relationship builder and external ambassador with donors, funders, and policymakers.
• Strong writer and speaker who guides organizational messaging and communications strategy.
• Experience mentoring and developing a team, driving culture, and accountability.
• Data-informed fundraiser using CRM tools to forecast, segment, and track progress.

Responsibilities

• Lead external engagement, communications, and revenue strategy for Insight Housing.
• Align fundraising, policy, and communications with organizational priorities and impact.
• Oversee philanthropy, policy, and communications initiatives and staff performance.
• Cultivate partnerships with donors, funders, and community leaders to advance funding.
• Shape and elevate Insight Housing’s brand and messaging across channels.

Skills

Major gifts & campaigns

Strategic fundraising leadership

Relationship building

Brand & MarCom leadership

Team leadership & development

Data-driven fundraising

Executive mindset

Tools

Salesforce

HubSpot

Job description

The Chief Philanthropy & External Affairs Officer (CPEAO) is the strategic leader responsible for driving Insight Housing’s external engagement, communications, and revenue strategy. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving on the executive team, the CPEAO ensures alignment across fundraising, policy, and communications to advance organizational priorities and impact. With a current goal of raising $3 million annually, the CPEAO provides strategic vision and leadership to the philanthropy team while also leading our efforts to shape public policy, build meaningful partnerships, and amplify the organization’s voice. This role directly supervises the Philanthropy Manager and the Policy and Communications Manager.

Must-Have's:

• Proven Major Gifts & Capital Campaign Leadership: Brings a strong track record securing six- and seven-figure gifts, sustaining long-term donor relationships, and generating $3M+ annually. Demonstrates executive-level fundraising experience and the ability to grow philanthropy year over year
• Strategic, Growth-Focused Fundraising Leader: A strategic thinker and hands-on operator who can connect philanthropy to Insight’s programmatic and real estate priorities. Sets ambitious goals, builds strategies to achieve them, and pivots in a competitive funding landscape
• Exceptional Relationship Builder & External Ambassador: Charismatic, mission-driven storyteller who builds authentic relationships with donors, funders, corporate partners, community leaders, and policymakers. Comfortable representing Insight publicly and engaging the board as partners
• Strong Communicator & Brand/MarCom Leader: Outstanding writer and speaker who can articulate Insight’s impact clearly and compellingly. Able to shape, refine, and elevate organizational messaging and guide or oversee communications strategy
• Team Leader, Talent Developer & Culture Builder: Experienced in inspiring, developing, and holding a team accountable. Able to mentor a junior team, strengthen confidence, build structure, and lead through change
• Data-Informed, Systems-Savvy Fundraiser: Uses data, research, and CRM tools (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.) to manage pipelines, measure progress, and inform strategy. Brings discipline to forecasting, segmentation, and tracking
• Leadership Style & Personal Qualities: Flexible and calm under pressure, with the ability to navigate shifting priorities with resilience and humor. Visionary and collaborative, operating effectively at the intersection of philanthropy, policy, and public engagement. Resourceful, intrinsically goal-driven, and achievement-oriented, with a strong sense of urgency balanced by thoughtfulness

Who We Are:

For more than 55 years, Insight Housing (formerly Berkeley Food and Housing Project) has provided a comprehensive range of housing, food, and support services to help those in need move from homelessness into a safe and affordable home of their own. We serve in seven Northern California counties - Alameda, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Amador County. We are proud of our team members who are very dedicated in our mission to ensure everyone in our community has a home through supportive, equitable, and sustainable housing solutions.

What We Do:

Insight Housing recognizes that our clients need more than a meal and a warm bed; they need to be respected as individuals making a transition back to full and thriving life. Depending on their individual needs, Insight Housing services can include:

• Emergency and temporary housing, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing
• Fresh and nutritious meals, water, and snacks
• Wellness checks and links to medical providers