Vice President of Development

At the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA), we offer care and protection to animals in need, and we believe all cats and dogs (and the people who love them) deserve access to high-quality veterinary care. For more than 155 years, the SF SPCA has been a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare with a proven track record of innovation in animal care, animal rights, and proactive prevention programs. Through our public hospital, shelter programs, offsite community medicine clinics, and statewide advocacy/policy work, we are transforming the way pets – and the people who love them - access lifesaving resources. At the SF SPCA, we are ensuring that access to care means access for all.

As the largest animal welfare organization and veterinary hospital in the SF Bay Area, the founder of the No Kill movement, and the first cageless animal shelter established in the U.S., we are now looking forward to Vision 2030, our groundbreaking strategic plan to expand access to care in communities where the need is greatest. Vision 2030 will have a lasting impact on the SF SPCA’s legacy, its community, and animal welfare at large. Through Vision 2030, the SF SPCA pledges to improve the quality of life for all companion animals, not just those in shelters. This next frontier focuses on establishing all shelters in California as safe places for dogs and cats to land; aligning local laws with the best outcomes for animals; and strengthening communities’ access to quality care for their pets.

In the coming year, we will launch a campaign to fund this ambitious vision, while continuing to grow our annual fundraising programs. We are seeking a sharp, strategic, energetic, innovative, and visionary Vice President of Development to serve as a key leader to ensure Vision 2030’s success. The incoming VP of Development will lead the Development Team, working closely with the Development Directors, the Chief Advancement Officer, the Chief Executive Officer, the Development & Marketing teams, and the Board of Directors to elevate our ability to raise the funds necessary (approximately $20 Million this fiscal year) to fulfill annual goals and the mission of the SF SPCA.

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, and leading a team of ten (10), the VP of Development joins at a pivotal moment as the organization endeavors to ensure every companion animal has access to quality medical care, compassionate shelter, and a loving home.

As Vice President of Development, you will: 

• Foster a dynamic Development Team and lead them in designing and implementing a comprehensive development plan to exceed the goals of the strategic vision and annual budget.
• Focus on annual revenue growth and expand the organization’s financial base of contributors through all giving vehicles and initiatives.
• Engage the time and talents of all stakeholders (team members, Board, community, etc.) toward maximizing growth opportunities
• Provide effective leadership, mentoring and guidance in all fundraising activities including individual and major giving, planned giving, foundation & corporate relations, event management and sponsorship expansion.
• Prepare, monitor and forecast fundraising budgets, annual operational plans, key performance indicators, and monthly dashboards.
• Manage a personal portfolio of donors and prospects with high-levels of capacity and inclination. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors of all levels.
• Foster integrity, leadership, and a strong sense of teamwork within Development Team, creating an environment that embraces change and seeks to innovate. Utilize the organization’s performance management philosophy to increase team engagement.
• Collaborate with the VP of Community Experience and their department on the development and implementation of a comprehensive communications plan to support development initiatives including Our Animals, annual reports, videos promotional materials and event collateral.
• Challenge the status quo, develop and improve processes, remain ahead of trends, research best practices, navigate key issues, translate challenges and opportunities into actions that achieve goals and align with values and strategic vision.
• Provide guidance for all department operations and functions, and drive the team toward on-time, on-budget deliverables.

The specific bits that will help your candidacy stand out: 

• You are a Relationship Builder: Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization. Maintains relationships across a variety of functions and locations. Connects the right people to accomplish goals.
• You lead with a Strategic Mindset: Possesses the ability to create a vision and plan for enhancements to the organization’s financial position that are in alignment with the Society’s overall strategic plan. Adept at engaging Board, staff, donors and stakeholders in making that vision a reality. Plans ahead, stays organized and uses data to drive decisions.
• You have Organizational Savvy:  Uses knowledge of organizational culture to partner successfully with program leaders across the organization.
• You Drive Engagement: Creates a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives. Demonstrates ability to create a fundraising culture throughout the organization. Influences and teaches managers and staff to “think in terms of development.” Specifically skilled at coaching and developing Board members to enhance their fundraising skills.
• You have a Diverse Skill Set: Has obtained experience and insight into a diverse set of fundraising vehicles: direct mail, major gifts, planned giving, events, grant writing, corporate sponsorship, over-the-counter asks, online and mobile giving, etc. Should be an eloquent and convincing communicator across channels (written, verbal, etc.).
• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, Masters preferred.
• You have established, fine-tuned, and elevated your craft: 10+ years advanced experience in leading Fundraising/Development departments in large progressive organizations, with primary responsibility in all aspects of major giving, planned giving, and annual campaigns.

Must-haves that will help you succeed: 

• An entrepreneurial approach to fundraising with a proven track record identifying and cultivating donors; personal and group solicitations for individuals, corporations and foundations; and first-hand experience building relationships and stewarding donors.
• Repeated success with implementing best practices in various campaign activities including: direct mail, proposal and grant development, event planning and management, direct solicitations, leveraging fundraising databases and systems for donor segmentation, research and volunteer management.
• Exceptional storyteller with superb writing skills and proven success in narrating the history of an organization, its legacy, and its ability to influence the future.
• Experience closing million dollar gifts
• Proven ability to develop and lead an effective, productive and deeply engaged development team.
• Vertically and horizontally nimble, should be able to drive both the strategy and implementation of ideas.
• Accomplished background in executive leadership with the ability to motivate, influence and form partnerships to work collaboratively towards solutions.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise excellent judgment, while driving and managing change.
• Commitment to the mission, values, goals and success of the SF SPCA.
• A hard worker with a high energy level. A ‘doer’ with a willingness to work hands-on in creating and executing a variety of development and advancement activities.
• Commitment to a collaborative work environment.

Compensation + Benefits: 

The anticipated salary range for this position is $180k - $215k and depends on the length and breadth of experience. Our location is easy access from the freeway, a 10-minute walk from the 16th street BART station, and there is an on-site free, employee parking lot. Our exceptional benefits include medical, dental, vision insurance, a tax-deferred retirement plan + matching funds, PTO, holiday pay, student debt benefit program, non-profit student loan forgiveness, and employee discounts.

The San Francisco SPCA welcomes everyone! We know diversity drives innovation and brings new perspectives. We consider our differences valuable assets that help us continually strive to be better at what we do.

If you are ready to use your experience to grow with a well-established, mission-oriented organization and feed your soul in the process, we want to hear from you!