SMART (Schools, Mentoring and Resource Team, Inc.) is seeking an experienced nonprofit leader to join its team as Senior Director of Development & Communications. This hybrid leadership opportunity is based in San Francisco, California, and offers a competitive salary ranging from $115,000 to $130,000 annually, alongside a comprehensive benefits package.
The role is ideal for professionals with strong fundraising, donor engagement, communications, and nonprofit leadership experience who are passionate about advancing education equity for underserved students.
About SMART
SMART (Schools, Mentoring and Resource Team, Inc.) is a nonprofit organization committed to helping students overcome systemic barriers on their journey toward college graduation. The organization supports students through a twelve-year continuum of services that begins in fourth grade and continues through college.
SMART provides:
- Academic support
- After-school enrichment
- Summer learning opportunities
- College readiness programming
- Mentorship and long-term guidance
The organization has demonstrated impressive results in student success and college persistence, particularly among low-income students in San Francisco communities.
Its mission is grounded in values including equity, empowerment, learning, joy, and community collaboration.
About the Senior Director Role
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Senior Director of Development & Communications will lead all fundraising and external communication strategies for the organization.
This senior leadership role is responsible for growing and sustaining SMART’s annual operating budget of approximately $3.5 million through diversified fundraising efforts and strategic donor engagement.
The selected candidate will oversee:
- Fundraising strategy
- Grant development
- Donor stewardship
- Communications planning
- Development events
- Corporate partnerships
- Board engagement initiatives
The position also supervises the Grants & Communications Manager and the Events & Donor Engagement Manager.
Key Leadership Responsibilities
As part of SMART’s leadership team, the Senior Director will help shape organizational strategy and strengthen the nonprofit’s long-term sustainability.
Core leadership duties include:
- Supporting Board Development and Finance Committees
- Preparing reports and presentations for Board meetings
- Coaching and managing Development & Communications staff
- Establishing team goals and performance expectations
- Aligning fundraising and communications strategies across departments
The role requires a highly collaborative leader capable of working closely with executive leadership, program staff, donors, and community partners.
Fundraising and Development Strategy
One of the primary responsibilities involves leading SMART’s fundraising initiatives and donor engagement strategies.
Responsibilities include:
- Developing annual and multi-year fundraising plans
- Managing individual, corporate, and foundation giving
- Overseeing donor cultivation and stewardship
- Conducting prospect research for new funding opportunities
- Supporting grant writing and reporting
- Managing fundraising campaigns and special events
- Collaborating with Board members on donor outreach efforts
The organization is looking for a professional with a proven ability to secure major gifts and maintain strong donor relationships.
Communications and Storytelling
The Senior Director will also guide SMART’s communication and public engagement strategies.
Key communications responsibilities include:
- Overseeing newsletters and donor communications
- Managing branding and messaging consistency
- Supporting website and social media content
- Ensuring ethical and strength-based storytelling practices
- Representing SMART within professional and philanthropic communities
Strong storytelling and public communication skills are essential for this role.
Data Management and Reporting
The position also includes responsibility for monitoring fundraising performance and donor data systems.
The successful candidate will:
- Manage Salesforce donor tracking systems
- Analyze fundraising progress and performance metrics
- Coordinate data collection for grants and reports
- Provide updates to leadership and Board committees
- Improve systems and internal development processes
Experience using Salesforce and fundraising CRM platforms is considered highly valuable.
Qualifications and Experience Required
SMART is seeking candidates with:
- A bachelor’s degree
- At least 7 years of nonprofit fundraising experience
- 3+ years of staff management experience
- Proven success securing five- and six-figure gifts
- Strong project management and strategic planning skills
- Experience managing donor pipelines and fundraising campaigns
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
- Commitment to education equity and ethical storytelling
Preferred qualifications include experience in youth-serving nonprofits, Bay Area philanthropy, and digital communications.
Work Schedule and Benefits
This is a full-time hybrid role requiring employees to work three days per week in the San Francisco office and two days remotely.
SMART offers an impressive benefits package, including:
- 13 paid holidays
- Generous paid time off
- Paid parental leave
- Week-long seasonal office closures
- Wellness days
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) access
- Cell phone and home internet reimbursement
The organization also covers 100% of employee healthcare premiums and contributes toward dependent coverage.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
This position offers nonprofit professionals the opportunity to lead meaningful fundraising and communications initiatives that directly support educational equity and long-term student success.
For leaders passionate about youth empowerment, community impact, and nonprofit growth, this role combines strategic leadership with mission-driven work in one of the country’s most active philanthropic regions.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter to SMART’s hiring team.
Applications are accepted until the position is filled.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
