Chief Development Officer

Position Summary & Purpose:

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a key executive leadership position reporting directly to the CEO. The CDO will be responsible for leading and implementing SJPLF’s fundraising strategy, building and managing the development team, and driving advocacy and awareness of the organization’s mission, need, and deliverables to expand mission impact and organizational growth. In the next three years, SJPLF will lead a ballot measure funding campaign and establish a general endowment to sustain excellence. The position will work with the CEO and will manage the five-member fundraising team to secure $7 million annually.

Our ideal candidate is an experienced, organized, and motivated individual who is looking to be part of a dynamic and professional team, wants the opportunity to work with a high-profile volunteer board, donors, and is passionate about libraries’ role in a vibrant society. If you thrive on being in the middle of everything, are excited by diversity, find joy in managing others, relish working with mission-driven people, and have expertise in a variety of fundraising practices, then this could be the position you’ve been waiting for!

Key Responsibilities:

Design and execute a comprehensive fundraising and marketing strategy.

Identify, cultivate, and engage individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects through a well-rounded fundraising strategy.

Oversee all aspects of the fundraising program, including major gifts, planned giving, annual fund campaigns, special events, and grant writing initiatives.

Develop and implement marketing strategies to enhance fundraising efforts, including the creative direction of collateral materials, social media content, and communications that promote SJPLF’s mission, programs, and services.

Collaborate closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partner organizations, and community leaders.

Building a Donor-Centered Strategy

• Maintain a donor-centered fundraising approach that builds strong relationships with donors, emphasizes the organization’s mission and impact, and encourages donor engagement and investment.
• Develop and maintain the proper stewardship of donor relationships through a donor recognition program that celebrates and acknowledges donors’ contributions to SJPLF.
• Work with the CEO and Board of Directors to develop and maintain a robust donor pipeline to support the organization’s long-term fundraising goals.
• Build the infrastructure & team to carry out a well-crafted donor-centered development plan
• Develop and maintain effective systems and processes to support fundraising and development operations, including gift processing, database management, and reporting.
• Develop and implement a fundraising plan that includes clear goals, metrics, and timelines for achieving fundraising targets.
• Build and manage a budget for the development team that is aligned with SJPLF’s strategic priorities and goals.
• Identify and implement technology solutions to support fundraising and development operations and to enhance donor engagement and stewardship.

Major Donor Cultivation & Engagement:

• Develop and implement strategies for identifying and cultivating major gift prospects, including individuals, corporations, and foundations, to expand the SJPLF’s donor base and resources.
• Develop and maintain relationships with major gift donors through personalized engagement and stewardship activities, such as one-on-one meetings, cultivation events, and recognition programs.
• Work closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to solicit major gifts and to develop tailored proposals and gift agreements that align with donors’ interests and the organization’s priorities.
• Develop and manage systems for tracking and reporting on major gift fundraising progress and success.

Staff Management & Mentorship

• Build and manage a high-performing development team that is aligned with SJPLF’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to development staff to build their capacity to achieve fundraising goals and to support the organization’s mission and goals.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within the development team, across the organization, and with the Library.
• Develop and implement performance metrics and evaluation tools to ensure the team’s performance meets or exceeds fundraising targets and other organizational goals.
• Drive awareness & advocacy of the SJPLF’s mission, need, & deliverables to expand mission impact & growth
• Develop and implement strategies to raise awareness of the organization’s mission, programs, and services to increase its visibility and support.
• Develop and implement strategies to engage and mobilize supporters to advocate for SJPLF’s mission and its impact on the community.
• Represent the organization at community events, conferences, and other public forums to enhance SJPLF’s visibility and influence.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including Library staff, potential donors, community leaders, and elected officials, to advance the organization’s mission and goals.

Executive Leadership Team Leadership, Planning & Strategy:

• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, working collaboratively with the CEO and other senior leaders to develop and implement SJPLF’s strategic plan and vision.
• Provide leadership and direction to the development team and other departments as needed to ensure alignment with SJPLF’s goals and objectives.
• Lead the annual planning and budgeting process for the development department, ensuring that goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
• Participate as staff lead on board of directors’ fundraising committee and communications committee. Attend all board meetings and prepare regular updates to the CEO and Board of Directors on fundraising progress and challenges.

Qualifications:

• A demonstrated passion for SJPLF’s mission and fundraising, with a deep understanding of and commitment to the values and principles of the nonprofit sector.
• Proven broad fundraising experience and securing funding from a variety of sources, including corporations, foundations, individuals, and federal grants, with a track record of achieving fundraising goals.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with prior experience in public speaking and external relations, and the ability to represent the organization to a variety of stakeholders, including donors, elected officials, and partner organizations with a high level of integrity, diplomacy, and initiative.
• Prior experience creating strategic multiyear fundraising plans and building consensus among stakeholders to achieve fundraising goals.
• Demonstrated success in staff management and mentorship, with a commitment to creating a positive and inclusive work culture that fosters professional growth and development.
• Thorough practical knowledge of fundraising CRMs (Donor Perfect a plus), Microsoft Office, and communications platforms (Canva, Constant Contact, Hootsuite, Adobe Creative Cloud).
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required, and CFRE, a master’s degree, or other advanced degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position requires the ability to sit for sustained periods of time and to sometimes travel throughout the city of San José. The vision requirement includes close vision. The employee is occasionally required to work evenings and weekends and lift 20 pounds.

About the Organization

Do you love the library and want to work at one of the most well-known buildings in San José? The San José Public Library is proud to be one of the nation’s best public library systems. Part of its success is owed to the dynamic and committed Library Foundation, which is a separate 501(c)3 established in 1987 by a group of community volunteers who understood that a great library system needed more than public funding.

The San José Public Library Foundation (SJPLF) has raised more than $45 million so far to enhance the library above and beyond what tax-based funding provides for buildings, programs, collections, and services. Our work will result in more students being prepared for success from kindergarten to college and career; more adults being fully informed and able to participate in civic life; greater access to information in print and digital forms; and for everyone to find the spark that ignites their curiosity, imagination, and wonder.