Assistant Director Jobs in San Francisco, CA

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. We cannot imagine life without art; it inspires and connects us every day. Now more than ever, these connections matter and are aligned with our values.

Inclusive: We strive to be a museum of many voices in dialogue.

Passionate: We believe working with art is more than a job or trusteeship - it's a way of life.

Brave: We are committed to approaching our work with courage and a sense of adventure, always ready to explore new perspectives.

Empathic: We aim to act like a person, not an institution.

SFMOMA is a place for the infinitely curious to explore, support, and experience the art of our time. We believe that modern and contemporary art can influence the way we think, view the world, and embrace the many voices and perspectives around us. We aspire to foster an environment that elicits joy, nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose—where difference is seen as a strength, and every one is appreciated for their whole self.

Schedule: Full Time, 35 hours/week, at least three days on site per week

SFMOMA’s Annual Giving team cultivates strong relationships to fundraise unrestricted support for museum initiatives. The Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Director’s Circle is responsible for successful oversight of the Director’s Circle annual membership program of contributors of $25,000 and above—achieving annual revenue goals, ensuring excellent donor relations, developing an engaging annual events program, identifying and soliciting prospects, leading acquisition and upgrade campaigns, and managing one staff member.

Reporting to and partnering with the Head of Major and Annual Giving, the person in this role must have an entrepreneurial approach to fundraising. They thrive at engaging and inspiring donors and have a strong track record of personally asking for and securing significant funding.

Within the first year, the Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Director’s Circle will:

• Demonstrate creative and enterprising ownership of revenue goals totaling over $3.7M annually.
• Build strong relationships with donors and Trustees, effectively managing the donor volunteer leadership committee, and actively fundraising from donors and prospects.
• Provide inspiring leadership to one full-time staff member: the Annual Giving Associate, Director's Circle.
• Model a commitment to advancing actionable diversity, equity, and inclusion in Annual Giving, Philanthropy, and across the museum.

Strategy

• Work collaboratively with Philanthropy colleagues, museum trustees, and volunteer leaders to develop and implement annual and multi-year fundraising strategies to grow revenue.
• Lead the Director’s Circle committee, made up of museum trustees and high-level volunteers.
• Partner with Travel Manager to create engaging and strategic donor travel opportunities for the Director’s Circle, must be available and amenable to staff donor trips.
• Use research and data to inform program leadership and continued evolution of donor offerings.
• Supervise one Annual Giving Associate.

Solicitation and Stewardship

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit annual Director's Circle gifts of $25000+.
• Ensure all donor touch points are comprehensively tracked within Tessitura.
• Identify and bring in new Director’s Circle members and move our most dedicated and loyal donors to higher levels of giving.
• Work with and prepare volunteer leaders and other appropriate staff members, as needed, to cultivate and acquire new members.
• Ensure excellent stewardship and the fulfillment of benefits for individual donors in Director’s Circle.

Community

• Communicate with colleagues in an effective and timely manner, sharing information about prospects and donors to contribute to a culture of transparency and efficiency.
• Build strong and productive relationships with colleagues throughout the museum, especially with the Annual Giving Manager, Curators' Circle, the Associate Directors, Major Gifts, and the Assistant Director of Membership.
• Collaborate closely with Donor Events colleagues to provide compelling cultivation opportunities and excellent stewardship via an engaging, creative benefits and events program.
• Understand the cultural fundraising landscape and is informed on local, national, and international trends.

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding annual goals of at least $1 million
• Minimum of five (5) years working directly with senior management and the Board of Trustees of an organization
• Extensive knowledge of fundraising principles, techniques, and ethics
• Experience in devising strategies for cultivation and solicitation of donors, including crafting compelling written solicitations and communications
• Knowledge of Bay Area philanthropic community is helpful
• A passion for or knowledge of the arts is highly desirable

• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Willingness to work flexible hours.
• Work schedule includes evenings and travel, as well as minimal weekends.
• Public and office environment.

Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street.

Benefits: PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Pet Insurance, Life and AD&D Coverage, Disability Insurance, Mental Health and Wellness Benefits, Discount Programs, Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits, 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, SFMOMA Membership, and more

At SFMOMA, we do not believe that any applicant can, or should, meet every qualification listed in a job posting. We are committed to welcoming applicants from all backgrounds and professional paths who are inspired to join a mission-driven, community-oriented organization grounded in inclusivity, passion, bravery, and empathy.