Director of Advancement

San Francisco Day School•San Francisco, CA

just now•Onsite

About The Position

This is a rare and exciting moment to join San Francisco Day School. We are looking for a Director of Advancement who is ready to build and refresh our development program. You will have the latitude to shape how we engage our community, how we tell our story, and how we build upon our culture of generosity. This role is not for someone looking to execute a traditional fundraising program. It is for someone who loves the craft of developing a community and culture of giving: who finds genuine pleasure in conversations that develop relationships, who can adapt and be nimble, who believes that a thank-you note matters as much as a solicitation letter, and who also loves to build the systems, data, and structure that make a program durable and ambitious. Many of our school families are early in their philanthropic journeys. They are accomplished, engaged, and deeply invested in their children’s education — but may not yet have a deep relationship with institutional giving. The Director of Advancement will be a skilled guide: patient and perceptive, helping families discover their own capacity and desire to contribute, without making giving feel transactional or obligatory. At San Francisco Day School, advancement is not a back-office function — it is woven into the life of the community. You will participate in the daily rhythms of the school: arrival and dismissal, lunch, recess, assemblies, and the countless informal moments that build trust with families. Your presence and genuine engagement in school life will be one of your most powerful fundraising tools.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree
At least seven to ten years of progressive advancement experience, ideally in an independent school or comparable educational setting.
Creativity, and a track record of closing major gifts and building annual fund programs from the ground up or through significant growth phases.
Experience with or genuine enthusiasm for working with donors who are new to institutional philanthropy — meeting people where they are and building lasting relationships.
Strong data fluency: comfort with prospect research, pipeline management, metrics, and reporting.
Experience managing and growing a team, with a coaching-oriented leadership style.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills — you can write a case statement and a personal note with equal care.
Capital campaign experience or a clear understanding of what campaign readiness requires.
High emotional intelligence, sharp instincts about people, and an ability to navigate complex community relationships with grace.
A deep and genuine belief in the mission of independent school education and the particular community SFDS has built.
Energy, flexibility, good humor, and the maturity to lead through ambiguity.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred
Experience with Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and Advancement Committee to set ambitious, achievable goals for the annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, and endowment.
Build and manage a strategic, data-informed plan to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at every level of the giving pyramid.
Working closely with our Head of School, develop meaningful partnerships with our families and donors, managing each relationship with care, discipline, and genuine curiosity about what motivates each donor’s giving.
Provide regular, clear, and actionable reporting to the Head of School and Board — translating data into insight and insight into decisions.
Oversee and continuously improve the stewardship program, ensuring every donor feels seen, appreciated, and connected to the impact of their gift.
Approach every family interaction as an opportunity to deepen their sense of belonging and investment in the school’s mission — long before any solicitation occurs.
Design and lead fundraising events and campaigns that are joyful, purposeful, and reflective of the school’s character.
Serve as a warm, credible, and trustworthy presence across the full school community: with parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the school.
Collaborate with communications and marketing to tell compelling, authentic stories about the impact of philanthropy at SFDS.
Lead, mentor, and roll up your sleeves alongside your nimble advancement team, including the Senior Associate Director of Advancement, Alumni Relations and Events Manager, and Advancement Services Manager.
Foster a team culture that is collaborative, execution-oriented, accountable, and genuinely motivated by the school’s mission.
Oversee prospect research, gift processing, data integrity, and all advancement operations — holding the program to a high standard of accuracy, data-driven execution and professionalism.
Work closely with the Head of School and Advancement Committee on long-range planning, including the strategy and preparation for a future Capital Campaign.
Manage the advancement budget with care and transparency.
Bring a strategic perspective to institutional planning, contributing your voice to broader conversations about the school’s future.
Participate in the daily rhythms of the school: arrival and dismissal, lunch, recess, assemblies, and the countless informal moments that build trust with families.