Senior Director of Fundraising & Operations

Position Title: Senior Director of Fundraising & Operations

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Oakland, CA (hybrid; strong preference for candidates with deep roots in Oakland)

About the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation (OFPI):

The Oakland Fund for Public Innovation’s (OFPI) mission is to improve the prosperity, safety, and quality of life for all Oaklanders by establishing innovative public-private partnerships in our most vulnerable communities. The Fund strives to improve the prosperity, safety and quality of life for all Oaklanders with projects that:

• Build a more trustworthy and responsive government
• Allow Oaklanders to stay rooted and thrive in our city
• Create a more vibrant and connected Oakland for all who live, work and play here

The Oakland Fund sponsors projects seeking innovative solutions in a collaborative environment, engaging public and private resources and delivering measurable results.

Summary:

The Senior Director of Fundraising & Operations will serve as the CEO’s right hand, responsible for ensuring OFPI’s operations are smooth, aligned, and effective while enabling the CEO to focus on external leadership and fundraising. This leader will manage day-to-day operations, partner with the CEO on fundraising and donor management, and act as a strategic thought partner. This leader will be deeply connected to Oakland, equity-driven, and trusted by staff, funders, and civic partners alike.

Key Responsibilities

Internal Operations (50%)

• Manage finance, HR, compliance, IT, and operational systems.
• Ensure budget and planning align with strategic goals.
• Build high-performing teams and implement accountability tools.
• Oversee cross-team coordination, goal setting, and role clarity.
• Provide staff leadership and coaching, supporting professional growth and strong team dynamics. (May directly supervise staff depending on structure and fit.)

Fundraising & External Relations (40%)

• Partner with CEO on fundraising strategy and donor relations.
• Manage funder deliverables, grant reporting, and prospect pipeline.
• Represent OFPI at external events and in civic/philanthropic settings.
• Integrate data and outcomes into storytelling, communications, and fundraising materials

Strategic Thought Partnership (10%)

• Serve as CEO’s trusted advisor and sounding board.
• Help refine priorities, make tradeoffs, and anticipate challenges.
• Play a visible leadership role with staff, board, and key partners through the CEO transition and beyond.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Deep connection to Oakland and commitment to equity: You bring a grounded understanding of Oakland’s civic, nonprofit, and philanthropic ecosystem, and a demonstrated commitment to racial, social, and economic equity. You understand how systems impact opportunity and approach your work with both humility and purpose.
• Operational excellence: You are skilled in designing and managing organizational systems, budgets, and compliance processes. You balance structure with flexibility — creating clarity amid complexity — and keep the trains running on time while ensuring the work feels mission-driven and meaningful.
• Fundraising and relationship-building acumen: You are an excellent communicator and trusted partner to funders, donors, and civic leaders. You have experience managing fundraising initiatives or campaigns and can represent OFPI with warmth, credibility, and integrity.
• Team leadership and development: You believe in leading people, not just managing processes. You create an inclusive environment that builds trust, celebrates strengths, and holds high expectations. You enjoy supporting others toward growth and shared accountability, and are comfortable providing supervision where appropriate.
• Goal-oriented and results-driven: You set ambitious goals, develop clear milestones, and consistently follow through. You bring a sense of ownership and urgency, take initiative to move projects forward, and communicate progress transparently when priorities shift.
• Strategic thought partnership: You are a steady, solutions-oriented thought partner who can zoom between big-picture strategy and tactical execution. You bring sound judgment, curiosity, and discretion, helping the CEO and team make thoughtful decisions under pressure.
• Startup spirit and adaptability: You thrive in a dynamic, evolving environment. You’re comfortable in ambiguity, able to pivot quickly, and willing to roll up your sleeves to make things happen.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of senior nonprofit, civic, or philanthropy experience.
• Demonstrated success in managing teams, budgets, and organizational operations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to synthesize complex information.
• Track record of partnership with executives, boards, and funders.
• Aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving.
• Strong preference for candidates who live in and reflect the diversity of Oakland.

Compensation:

The target salary range for this role is $130,000–$170,000, commensurate with experience. OFPI offers a competitive total compensation package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; generous paid vacation and holidays; and other benefits that support employee well-being and work-life balance.

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume to info@oaklandfund.org and cc kyra@oaklandfund.org, with the subject line “Senior Director of Fundraising & Operations.” In your cover letter, please include the names and contact information for at least three professional references (which we may contact later in the selection process).

OFPI is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experience in Oakland’s communities.

The target salary range for this role is $130,000–$170,000, commensurate with experience. OFPI offers a competitive total compensation package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; generous paid vacation and holidays; and other benefits that support employee well-being and work-life balance.