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Careers

Staff at The San Diego Foundation address the region’s most pressing challenges and identify opportunities by working with donors and partners to improve the quality of life for all San Diegans.

Thank you for your interest in the work of The San Diego Foundation. To learn more about our work and inquire about joining our team, contact jobs@sdfoundation.org.

Current Opportunities

At The San Diego Foundation, we value our diverse and experienced staff that are committed to our mission of improving the quality of life within all of San Diego’s communities. We strive to be an employer of choice, offering a competitive compensation package, and a professional and vibrant work environment for those who have a passion for our mission that is carried out every day by providing leadership for effective philanthropy and promoting community solutions.

Finance & Investment Analyst

We are seeking an experienced team member to join the Finance & Investment Department to provide analyst-level resources and to deliver professional, superior customer service to all internal and external constituents.  The analyst will provide effective, efficient, and reliable assistance to the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Controller.

Essential duties and principal responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Finance & Accounting 30% of time (under direction of Controller)
  • Provide budgetary, organizational, and operational services to the F&A Department.
  • Research, compile, and prepare financial and accounting data for internal detailed analyses including, but not limited to, industry comparisons, contributions, grants, fees, and focus areas as well as for board materials.
  • Analyze monthly budget vs. actual reporting and forecast organizational future requirements.
  • Develop reports, spreadsheets, tables, and grids to summarize and present dashboard information (KPI-key performance indicators).
  • Provide earnings and fee projections as well as other requested analyses to Development & Stewardship as needed.
  • Provide accurate and timely reports and statistics necessary to benchmark F&A team goals.
  • Coordinate submission of website updates for F&A sections of TSDF web pages for posting.
  • Assist in preparing materials and presentations in preparation for staff meetings; Leadership Team meetings; and Board of Governors and Executive, Finance, and Audit Committee meetings.
  • Provide back up and support to the Senior Accountant.
  • Take lead on special projects, as assigned.
Investment 70% of time (under direction of CIO)
  • Monitor each investment portfolio’s adherence to the Investment Policy Statement by conducting onsite meetings or conference calls.
  • Conduct manager due diligence on prospective investment managers.
  • Monitor the portfolio’s investment managers’ performance and positioning on a regular basis through meetings and conference calls.
  • Take the lead on special investment-oriented assignments.
  • Prepare materials and presentations in preparation for staff meetings; Executive Team meetings; and Investment Committee meetings.
  • Lead investment rebalancing for all TSDF’s investment portfolios.
  • Monitor the cash position(s) across all investment portfolios to ensure adequate investment funding (capital calls).
  • Assist in annual audit process by providing support to CIO and Controller.
  • Become the in-house expert in third party investment software.
  • Manage Black Diamond performance reporting software, including the monthly reconciliation, and rebalancing process.
  • Update manager account information and new account set-up.
  • Manage the investment data administration process.

We are looking for:

  • Minimum of 3 years professional business experience; candidates without previous investment experience will not be considered.
  • Strong diplomatic and communication skills, with the ability to develop buy-in across a wide range of stakeholders; ability to develop effective working relationships with all colleagues, external constituencies, and decision makers.
  • Work with and effectively manage information of a confidential nature requiring considerable discretion, judgment, tact, and diplomacy.
  • Demonstrated track record in developing and utilizing organizational systems with attention to detail, accuracy, timeliness, and record keeping.
  • Experience with developing and maintaining budgets.
  • Experience with financial modeling & forecasting.
  • Analytical and critical thinking skills.
  • Teamwork, self-motivation, a proactive approach to work, flexibility, and exceptional interpersonal skills are essential.
  • High initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision.
  • Proven ability to work independently and successfully organize, prioritize, and implement multiple projects, and meet deliverables and timelines.
  • Regularly takes initiative to recognize and anticipate problems, and clearly communicate possible solutions.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Meticulous writing and editing skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to utilize technology in process improvements.
  • Computer skills: Expert proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint and database entry and management as well as exporting and report generation.

EDUCATION

  • Bachelor’s degree required; business administration, finance or accounting helpful.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

  • Ability to read, write and speak English fluently.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Non-smoking, professional office environment
  • Fast-paced work with multi-level distractions

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

  • Ability to work extended hours, as needed.

The San Diego Foundation offers an excellent work environment, benefits package, and competitive compensation. Apply at jobs@sdfoundation.org and place Finance & Investment Analyst in the Subject line. Please include your PDF resume and cover letter.

MANAGER, COMMUNITY IMPACT

The Community Impact (CI) programs at TSDF focus on inclusive growth, which involves the entire region in a vision for livability and prosperity. Aligned with The San Diego Foundation’s goal to deliver on the promise of a more vibrant future for all who call San Diego home, these programs support efforts that build a region with equitable pathways to success for all San Diegans.

We are seeking a Manager to be responsible for supporting the implementation of the The Foundation’s Strategic Initiatives related to health and human services with a primary focus on strategic efforts that promote strong, healthy families in the region. This includes project management, written content creation, and oversight of grantmaking processes.

This experienced manager will:

  • Possess knowledge of the local non-profit and governmental landscape, and a track record of managing a regional initiative with cross-sector partners related to health equity, trauma informed care, child welfare, or a related topic.
  • Support strategic regional efforts to increase awareness and access to health care, trauma informed care, and family support services.
  • Implement a grantmaking strategy to support mental and behavioral health, including supportive services for parents.

These efforts require strong written and verbal communication skills, budgetary oversight experience, grantmaking experience, and experience in the development of information that can be shared publicly. The position requires project management skills and expertise, including experience in managing public-facing grant programs, and preferably experience working with local County and direct service partners in fields related to trauma-informed care, family support services, or child welfare.

This position will primarily focus on the implementation of newly developed strategies related to the above-described efforts. In addition to this, the Manager will also support departmental operations. Working as a cohesive part of the CI team is an important part of the Manager’s responsibilities.

Essential Duties and principal responsibilities include but are not limited to:

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

  • Work collaboratively with the Community Impact team coordinating strategy, priorities, and tracking success towards annual goals.
  • Project management:
    • Map program activities to strategic goals, manage milestones
    • Identify upcoming changes, support team engagement in collaborative problem-solving
    • Support program budgetary and financial processes
    • Maximize operational effectiveness.
  • Craft data-driven documents and presentations that convey program goals and purpose. Develop and utilize data and narrative to frame and support goals.
  • Utilize community knowledge, experience in regional efforts, and research to identify alignment and partnership opportunities related to the goals of The San Diego Foundation.
  • Manage grantmaking processes and related document development, application review and approval practices in alignment with CI best practices.
  • Support TSDF’s community leadership efforts by:
    • Ensuring complex projects are managed efficiently, supporting communication and coordination
    • Identifying and supporting alignment opportunities with appropriate local efforts and initiatives
    • Communicating the appropriate message to support these efforts.
  • Co-develop and support convening efforts that engage local thought leaders and community stakeholders on issues concerning equity, workforce development, and other relevant issues to raise awareness and facilitate collaboration.
  • Support budgetary and related operational processes.
  • Improve the efficiency of processes and procedures to enhance quality and output.
  • Excel while working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
  • Strong time management skills
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills

We are looking for:

  • Experience working with civic and/or governmental partners to manage regional initiatives.
  • Demonstrated experience within fields of work and research related to trauma-informed care, mental/behavioral health, child welfare, or related fields.
  • Minimum five years of management-level experience in a comparable industry.
  • Outstanding project management skills, time management, attention to detail, and familiarity with project management software.
  • Experience engaging team members to problem-solve, build plans, and coordinate timelines.
  • Strong verbal, interpersonal and written communications skills, including experience creating public-facing professional writing, documents, presentations, and related content.
  • Experience working with program budgets and related financial processes.
  • Willingness to regularly utilize databases and work with relationship management software.
  • The ability to construct and work across plans for multiple programs simultaneously while regularly meeting deadlines.
  • Knowledge of and experience working with organizations that address a range of issues facing the region, including but not limited to early childhood, health and human services, workforce development.
  • Experience and success in stewarding relationships with cross-sector partners, including governmental and non-profit partners.
  • Must be experienced and comfortable in a fast-paced, highly adaptive environment.
  • Team player with a professional and positive demeanor.
  • Knowledge, experience and proficiency with computer software applications required: MS Windows, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Asana and Blackbaud experience preferred.

EDUCATION

  • Bachelor’s degree in related field required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

  • Ability to read, write and speak English fluently
  • Additional language proficiency helpful

JUDGMENT/REASONING ABILITY

  • Logical thought process
  • Use of good judgment and own initiative

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • Able to safely lift 25 pounds
  • Able to sit for prolonged periods of time at meetings, desk, computer, driving
  • Able to sit at a desk and view a computer screen for up to two hours
  • Able to type using a computer keyboard
  • Able to speak into and use a telephone
  • Ability to bend and stoop

WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Non-smoking, professional office environment
  • Fast-paced working with multi-level distractions
  • Professional presentation and demeanor
  • Open office space with potential audio/visual distractions
  • Multi-track workflow that requires the ability to prioritize and plan

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

  • Ability to work evenings and weekends periodically as needed
  • Ability to periodically travel out of area (as COVID-19 health and safety regulations permit)

The San Diego Foundation offers an excellent work environment, benefit package, and competitive compensation. 

Please apply at jobs@sdfoundation.org and place Manager, Community Impact in the subject line. Attach your PDF resume and cover letter.

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

We are seeking an experienced Senior Director to oversee the fundraising operations for The San Diego Foundation’s strategic initiatives, including Community Impact programs and programmatic areas of TSDF’s strategic plan.  The Senior Director will develop and implement comprehensive fundraising plans for TSDF’s programs and strategic initiatives to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward an array of funders including individual donors, existing TSDF fund holders, foundations, corporations, and others. The Senior Director will work closely and collaboratively with the VP, Chief Impact and Partnerships Officer, and Directors on the Community Impact Team, to execute fundraising plans in support of TSDF’s programs and strategic initiatives.

Expected Results

  • Oversees the development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising plan to support The Foundation’s programs and strategic initiatives, including specific strategies for support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and more.
  • Partner closely with VP, Chief Impact and Partnerships Officer and Directors on the Community Impact Team on all aspects of Strategic Initiatives fundraising.
  • Collaborate with Foundation colleagues for specific engagement of existing fund holders, new donors, corporate funders, and others.
  • Collaborate with Foundation colleagues on targeted stewardship activities for donors to programs and strategic initiatives.
  • Personally qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards portfolio of donors, while collaborating with Foundation colleagues on strategies for donors in other staff portfolios.
  • Tracks and measures activity and productivity for Strategic Initiatives fundraising in Foundation databases.
  • Reports to Foundation colleagues, leadership, and Board of Governors on goals, progress, etc. of Strategic Initiative fundraising efforts.
  • Represents The Foundation as needed in the community.

Essential duties and principal responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Serve as the primary contact for fundraising efforts related to the Foundation’s Strategic Initiatives for both internal and external parties.
  • Continue implementation and updating of fundraising plan for Strategic Initiatives, with a specific focus on adjustments as needed to align with annual tactics related to the Foundation’s overall Strategic Plan.
  • In conjunction with the Community Impact Team, continue to design and implement strategies to engage prospects and donors with the Foundations Strategic Initiatives.
  • In conjunction with colleagues on the Development and Stewardship Team, continue to develop and implement engagement, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for existing Foundation donors for Strategic Initiatives.
  • Maintain understanding of the capabilities of each of the Blackbaud modules to include Raiser’s Edge, Financial Edge, GenXT, and My TSDF; maintain proficiency in using each.
  • In conjunction with the Community Impact team and the Marketing and Communications Team, disseminate information on the impact of charitable giving to the Foundation’s Strategic Initiatives.

External Contacts

  • Current and prospective Strategic Initiative donors and fund advisors
  • Advisory Committees as required
  • Corporations and Foundations

We are looking for:

  • Minimum of five to ten years of donor relations and fundraising experience; nonprofit or foundation experience strongly preferred
  • Proven track record of executing fundraising strategies in support of nonprofit programmatic initiatives
  • Experience in collaboration with nonprofit programmatic leadership to develop and execute fundraising plans in support of programs
  • Strong communication and presentation skills to include an ability to convey a compelling and inspired vision and sense of core purpose to a wide range of people
  • Culturally competent
  • Ability to work and communicate with diverse groups including volunteer committees, prominent individuals, foundations, businesses, academic institutions, scholarship recipients
  • Solid experience managing volunteers, including recruitment, training and recognition
  • Successful experience in educating, managing and tracking prospects and donors
  • Exceptional business skills including strategic planning, goal setting, budgeting and marketing
  • Expertise in successfully coordinating and overseeing multiple projects
  • Skilled at networking and relationship building
  • Knowledge of the San Diego philanthropic community  
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills to include staff leadership as needed
  • Ability to lead, be proactive and create standards of excellence
  • Experience working in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong writing skills
  • Computer skills include strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, contact management systems and web research

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s degree in related field; advanced degree strongly preferred

LANGUAGE SKILLS

  • Ability to read, write and speak English fluently
  • Additional language proficiency helpful

JUDGEMENT/REASONING ABILITY

  • Logical thought process
  • Use of good judgment
  • Works well under pressure

OTHER SKILLS/ABILITIES

  • Respected, admired and trusted in the community
  • Professional attitude and demeanor
  • Articulate, caring and inquisitive
  • Flexible, creative, innovative and entrepreneurial
  • Adaptable to change and able to multi-task
  • Self-directed and a problem solver

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • Ability to lift 25 lbs
  • Able to sit at a desk and view a computer screen for long periods of time
  • Able to type on a computer keyboard
  • Able to speak into and use a telephone for long periods of time
  • Ability to bend and stoop

WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Non-smoking, professional office environment
  • Fast paced working with multi-level distractions

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

  • Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed
  • Transportation: ability to attend meetings San Diego region-wide as needed
  • Valid and current driver’s license with required auto insurance

The San Diego Foundation offers an excellent work environment, benefits package, and competitive compensation. Please apply at jobs@sdfoundation.org and place Senior Director of Development, Strategic Initiatives in the subject line and attach your resume and cover letter.