San Jose Sharks
Director, Development – Sharks Foundation
San Jose Sharks, San Jose, California, United States, 95199
Overview
Director, Development – Sharks Foundation role at San Jose Sharks. The Director, Development is a leadership role responsible for shaping and executing the Sharks Foundation’s comprehensive fundraising and revenue strategy. This position will drive the strategic growth and diversification of the Foundation’s financial resources, ensuring long-term sustainability and expanded impact. Reporting to the Executive Director, Sharks Foundation & Head of Community Impact, the Director will lead all fundraising initiatives, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, grants, special events, and donor engagement. This individual will work closely with internal teams, donors, and external partners to secure new funding opportunities, steward existing supporters, and elevate the Foundation’s visibility within the philanthropic community. The Director, Development will directly manage two full-time team members, as well as a team of part-time 50/50 Raffle sellers, and collaborate across Sharks Sports & Entertainment (San Jose Sharks, San Jose Barracuda, Sharks Ice) to achieve ambitious fundraising goals, aligning all efforts with the organization’s broader community impact strategy. Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Develop and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy with clear short-, medium-, and long-term goals to expand and diversify revenue streams. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure fundraising effectiveness, ensuring accountability and alignment with the Foundation’s mission. Oversee the creation and management of the Foundation’s fundraising budget, ensuring financial sustainability and strategic resource allocation. Regularly report to the Foundation’s Board of Directors and Community Impact leadership on fundraising progress, financial performance, and strategic opportunities. Provide leadership and supervision to direct reports, fostering a high-performance culture, ensuring effective performance, professional development, and alignment with organizational goals. Stay informed on fundraising trends, best practices, and innovations within the nonprofit and sports philanthropy sectors.
Revenue Growth and Relationship Management
Lead major gift cultivation and solicitation efforts, securing five-figure and above commitments from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Build and nurture relationships with donors, corporate sponsors, and community partners, ensuring long-term financial support and engagement. Develop and oversee corporate partnership and sponsorship programs, working closely with Sharks Sports & Entertainment’s Corporate Partnerships and Premium Sales teams. Expand the Foundation’s grant portfolio, identifying and securing funding from local, regional, and national foundations. Cultivate relationships with Sharks and Barracuda players, coaches, and significant others, fostering their active involvement in fundraising events, campaigns, and donor engagement initiatives. Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to develop compelling donor engagement materials, impact reports, and storytelling campaigns. Work closely with the Sr. Manager, Operations to ensure fundraising efforts align with programmatic impact and community engagement.
Event and Campaign Execution
Oversee the planning and execution of marquee fundraising events, ensuring a high return on investment and donor engagement. Align fundraising events with the Foundation’s community impact programs, creating synergy between giving and program execution. Identify and implement innovative fundraising campaigns, including peer-to-peer fundraising, online giving, and donor engagement activations. Represent the Foundation at networking events, donor meetings, Sharks/Barracuda games, and industry conferences to elevate its philanthropic presence.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, or a related field. Master’s degree or advanced certification preferred. 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in the nonprofit sector (or equivalent), with direct leadership experience in fundraising and development. Proven track record of securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and driving revenue growth. Experience in a nonprofit entity closely aligned with a for-profit organization is preferred. Strong expertise in major gifts, corporate partnerships, grant writing, annual giving, and fundraising events. Exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills with a focus on results-driven fundraising. Highly skilled in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with the ability to inspire and engage high-net-worth individuals and corporate partners. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience crafting compelling fundraising proposals and donor correspondence. Strong budget management and financial acumen, ensuring alignment between revenue and program needs. A goal-oriented, self-starter with a proactive mindset and entrepreneurial approach to identifying new funding opportunities. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while effectively managing multiple projects and deadlines. Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in sports philanthropy, entertainment, or corporate social responsibility (CSR). Familiarity with the Bay Area’s philanthropic landscape, including donor networks, foundations, and corporate giving programs. Knowledge of marketing, public relations, and brand-building strategies as they relate to fundraising. Physical Requirements
Ability to sit, stand and utilize a computer for extended periods of time Communicate via phone and email with a variety of individuals Ability to bend at the waist, reach overhead and lift up to 15 lbs with or without accommodation Physically navigate stairs and catwalks at SSE facilities during normal work hours and events with or without accommodation Ability to work occasional extended hours including nights, weekends, holidays (all with advance notice) May be required to travel to other company locations May be required to attend conference, events, and training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations. What We Offer
Competitive compensation (base salary and variable incentive plan) Medical/Dental/Vision/Flexible Spending Accounts (all LGBTQ+ friendly) 401K (pre-tax and Roth options) Generous Paid Time Off Policy Minimum of 10 Paid Holidays and Wellness Days per year Complimentary or discounted sports and concert tickets Other League & partner discounts Central office location in downtown San Jose at the heart of Silicon Valley; convenient access to Caltrain, VTA, major freeways and free parking An inclusive culture which values diversity of background and a passion to improve our SSE’s commitment to change with impact on our community and industry Potential for flexible scheduling and telework opportunities Access to on-site Volta EV charging stations on non-event days This position is not eligible for U.S. work authorization sponsorship.
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Director, Development – Sharks Foundation role at San Jose Sharks. The Director, Development is a leadership role responsible for shaping and executing the Sharks Foundation’s comprehensive fundraising and revenue strategy. This position will drive the strategic growth and diversification of the Foundation’s financial resources, ensuring long-term sustainability and expanded impact. Reporting to the Executive Director, Sharks Foundation & Head of Community Impact, the Director will lead all fundraising initiatives, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, grants, special events, and donor engagement. This individual will work closely with internal teams, donors, and external partners to secure new funding opportunities, steward existing supporters, and elevate the Foundation’s visibility within the philanthropic community. The Director, Development will directly manage two full-time team members, as well as a team of part-time 50/50 Raffle sellers, and collaborate across Sharks Sports & Entertainment (San Jose Sharks, San Jose Barracuda, Sharks Ice) to achieve ambitious fundraising goals, aligning all efforts with the organization’s broader community impact strategy. Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Develop and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy with clear short-, medium-, and long-term goals to expand and diversify revenue streams. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure fundraising effectiveness, ensuring accountability and alignment with the Foundation’s mission. Oversee the creation and management of the Foundation’s fundraising budget, ensuring financial sustainability and strategic resource allocation. Regularly report to the Foundation’s Board of Directors and Community Impact leadership on fundraising progress, financial performance, and strategic opportunities. Provide leadership and supervision to direct reports, fostering a high-performance culture, ensuring effective performance, professional development, and alignment with organizational goals. Stay informed on fundraising trends, best practices, and innovations within the nonprofit and sports philanthropy sectors.
Revenue Growth and Relationship Management
Lead major gift cultivation and solicitation efforts, securing five-figure and above commitments from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Build and nurture relationships with donors, corporate sponsors, and community partners, ensuring long-term financial support and engagement. Develop and oversee corporate partnership and sponsorship programs, working closely with Sharks Sports & Entertainment’s Corporate Partnerships and Premium Sales teams. Expand the Foundation’s grant portfolio, identifying and securing funding from local, regional, and national foundations. Cultivate relationships with Sharks and Barracuda players, coaches, and significant others, fostering their active involvement in fundraising events, campaigns, and donor engagement initiatives. Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to develop compelling donor engagement materials, impact reports, and storytelling campaigns. Work closely with the Sr. Manager, Operations to ensure fundraising efforts align with programmatic impact and community engagement.
Event and Campaign Execution
Oversee the planning and execution of marquee fundraising events, ensuring a high return on investment and donor engagement. Align fundraising events with the Foundation’s community impact programs, creating synergy between giving and program execution. Identify and implement innovative fundraising campaigns, including peer-to-peer fundraising, online giving, and donor engagement activations. Represent the Foundation at networking events, donor meetings, Sharks/Barracuda games, and industry conferences to elevate its philanthropic presence.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, or a related field. Master’s degree or advanced certification preferred. 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in the nonprofit sector (or equivalent), with direct leadership experience in fundraising and development. Proven track record of securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and driving revenue growth. Experience in a nonprofit entity closely aligned with a for-profit organization is preferred. Strong expertise in major gifts, corporate partnerships, grant writing, annual giving, and fundraising events. Exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills with a focus on results-driven fundraising. Highly skilled in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with the ability to inspire and engage high-net-worth individuals and corporate partners. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience crafting compelling fundraising proposals and donor correspondence. Strong budget management and financial acumen, ensuring alignment between revenue and program needs. A goal-oriented, self-starter with a proactive mindset and entrepreneurial approach to identifying new funding opportunities. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while effectively managing multiple projects and deadlines. Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in sports philanthropy, entertainment, or corporate social responsibility (CSR). Familiarity with the Bay Area’s philanthropic landscape, including donor networks, foundations, and corporate giving programs. Knowledge of marketing, public relations, and brand-building strategies as they relate to fundraising. Physical Requirements
Ability to sit, stand and utilize a computer for extended periods of time Communicate via phone and email with a variety of individuals Ability to bend at the waist, reach overhead and lift up to 15 lbs with or without accommodation Physically navigate stairs and catwalks at SSE facilities during normal work hours and events with or without accommodation Ability to work occasional extended hours including nights, weekends, holidays (all with advance notice) May be required to travel to other company locations May be required to attend conference, events, and training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations. What We Offer
Competitive compensation (base salary and variable incentive plan) Medical/Dental/Vision/Flexible Spending Accounts (all LGBTQ+ friendly) 401K (pre-tax and Roth options) Generous Paid Time Off Policy Minimum of 10 Paid Holidays and Wellness Days per year Complimentary or discounted sports and concert tickets Other League & partner discounts Central office location in downtown San Jose at the heart of Silicon Valley; convenient access to Caltrain, VTA, major freeways and free parking An inclusive culture which values diversity of background and a passion to improve our SSE’s commitment to change with impact on our community and industry Potential for flexible scheduling and telework opportunities Access to on-site Volta EV charging stations on non-event days This position is not eligible for U.S. work authorization sponsorship.
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