Director of Development

Background

ODC is a groundbreaking contemporary arts institution, delivering its mission through a world-class dance company, an innovative presenting theater, a dynamic digital platform, a dance school for movers of all ages and abilities, and ODC Heath with initiatives including a fee-free diagnostic and educational Healthy Dancers’ Clinic, and fitness offerings informed by dancer training for all levels and abilities. Guided by Founding Artistic Director Brenda Way; Kimi Okada as Director of ODC School and Associate Choreographer; and, Carma Zisman as Executive Director, ODC is nationally recognized for its entrepreneurial spirit and artistic innovation. Unique for its fully integrated vision, ODC strives to inspire audiences, cultivate artists, engage community, and foster diversity and inclusion through dance performance, training, and mentorship. ODC operates a three-building campus including a Dance Commons and the ODC Theater in San Francisco’s Mission District, and a robust digital program for classes, performances, and engaging dialogue. ODC’s programs and activities have contributed to community development, arts education, and access to creative art-making for more than 50 years.

Position Summary

The Director of Development (DD) is a key member of ODC’s senior leadership team and is responsible for designing, implementing, and leading a comprehensive and strategic fundraising program to secure $5 million+ in annual contributed revenue, as well as additional funding for capital, endowment, and visionary artistic initiatives.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the DD collaborates closely with the Founding Artistic Director, School Director, Theater Creative Director, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Board of Directors to advance ODC’s mission, visibility, and financial sustainability.

This is a highly strategic and hands-on role for a seasoned fundraiser who excels at building relationships, securing major gifts ($25,000+), actively managing a portfolio of strategic prospects and donors, and guiding a development team toward ambitious but achievable goals. The DD is responsible for cultivating a culture of philanthropy across the organization and for strengthening ODC’s position as a leader in the national arts landscape and the Bay Area’s cultural ecosystem.

Roles & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Design and execute an annual and multi-year development plan aligned with ODC’s strategic priorities, encompassing individual giving, major gifts, institutional giving (foundation, corporate, and government), special campaigns, and planned giving.
• Lead fundraising efforts for ongoing operations, capital campaigns, and innovation projects with clear performance metrics.
• Serve as a thought partner to the Executive Director and senior team in organizational planning and sustainability.
• Develop and implement strategies to grow the donor base and increase donor retention.

Fundraising and Relationship Management

• Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects; solicit and close gifts of $25,000+.
• Actively engage in strategic assessment and assignment of donors and prospects to staff and Board portfolios to leverage relationships, expertise and successfully grow the organization’s donor pool.
• Identify opportunities, develop and deliver strategic plans for pursuit of expanded corporate underwriting and sponsorship.
• Refine and implement the plan to fully launch the organization’s Planned Giving Program, building on the receipt of its first endowed bequest to support the School.

Board Engagement

• Inspire and support Board members in their fundraising responsibilities; staff the Board Development Committee and partner with Board leadership to advance peer-to-peer fundraising.
• Lead Board training and provide tools and support for successful fundraising engagement.
• Contribute to the organization’s culture of philanthropy, by designing and supporting the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to engage Board members and senior staff as donors and champions of the organization.

Team Leadership and Department Oversight

• Supervise and leverage the development team, including full-time staff, consultants, and volunteers.
• Set departmental goals and KPIs; monitor progress and make course corrections as needed.
• Review and determine priorities in real-time for opportunistic requests for campaigns, grants, and solicitations for special projects and cross departmental activities.

Collaboration and Communications

• Partner with the Marketing & Communications team to ensure consistent and compelling development messaging across channels.
• Coordinate donor segmentation and targeted appeals, integrating data and analytics to refine strategies.
• Identify and implement plan for key Development communications annually and quarterly with the Director of Marketing and Communications and other relevant stakeholders.

External Relations and Community Engagement

• Represent ODC in donor, community, and field-wide settings; cultivate relationships with civic leaders, public agencies, philanthropic networks, and arts funders.
• Stay current on trends and opportunities in arts philanthropy and local government funding.

Qualifications

• Minimum 21 years of age and eligible to work in the US.
• Based in proximity the Bay Area to allow regular on-site work on the ODC campus (351 Shotwell Street, 3153 17th Street, and 3175-77 17th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110)
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, including 5 years in a senior-level role.
• Proven success in securing major gifts ($25,000+) and managing multi-year campaigns.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to manage, mentor, and inspire staff and volunteers.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking, planning, and project management abilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, including demonstrable ability to guide strategic approaches, develop, craft and edit compelling appeals, proposals, and grant narrative.
• Knowledge of fundraising best practices, donor CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce/Patron Manager or similar), and analytics.
• Experience working closely with a Board of Directors and leading Board fundraising efforts.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE certification a plus.
• Familiarity with the performing arts and San Francisco Bay Area philanthropic community strongly preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work is performed in an office and performing arts facility setting, with hybrid remote options available.
• Requires regular use of computer and standard office equipment.
• Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods and move between campus buildings.

Compensation and Time Base

• This is an at-will, full-time, exempt position, this position is based on ODC’s San Francisco, CA campus and offices with arrangements for some remote work.
• Salary of $125,000 - $150,000, DOE.
• The role earns and accrues ten (10) days per year of paid time off as well as sick leave. In addition, as a member of ODC’s full-time staff, this role receives three (3) additional days as floating holidays. This role also receives these paid holidays each year: New Year’s Day, MLK Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
• As a dance organization committed to physical well-being, ODC’s benefits package currently includes health coverage for full-time employees (vision and dental coverage are available at the employee’s cost), a retirement savings plan and a life insurance plan. Additional benefits include pre-tax commuter deductions, access to tuition-free dance classes at ODC, complimentary tickets to select ODC performances, and a dynamic work environment.

To Apply

• To apply for this position, please email your current resume and a cover letter to: HR@odc.dance
• Note, please reference “Director of Development” in the subject line.

No phone calls please.

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At ODC we believe the vitality of life in the San Francisco Bay Area is contingent upon continued exposure to a variety of perspectives, beliefs, and wisdom. Our work at ODC is challenging and exciting. We attract people who are committed to dance and the arts and we are willing to work hard to engage our audiences and serve our communities. If you want to make a difference, challenge yourself and help us continue to innovate, we welcome your energy and talents. People of color and people with disabilities, of diverse sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Compensation and Time Base

• This is an at-will, full-time, exempt position, this position is based on ODC’s San Francisco, CA campus and offices with arrangements for some remote work.
• Salary of $125,000 - $150,000, DOE.
• The role earns and accrues ten (10) days per year of paid time off as well as sick leave. In addition, as a member of ODC’s full-time staff, this role receives three (3) additional days as floating holidays. This role also receives these paid holidays each year: New Year’s Day, MLK Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
• As a dance organization committed to physical well-being, ODC’s benefits package currently includes health coverage for full-time employees (vision and dental coverage are available at the employee’s cost), a retirement savings plan and a life insurance plan. Additional benefits include pre-tax commuter deductions, access to tuition-free dance classes at ODC, complimentary tickets to select ODC performances, and a dynamic work environment.