Job Description

Level: Management
Job Location: Pioneer - San Jose, CA 95118
Position Type: Full TimeEducation
Level: 4 Year Degree
Salary Range: $130,000.00 - $150,000.00 Salary/year
Travel Percentage: Road Warrior
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services
Position: Director of Development
Location:  San Jose, CA. Hybrid role, three days / week required in-office.
Reports to: Chief Development & Marketing Officer
Status: Regular, Full-time, Exempt
ABOUT HOMEFIRST
HomeFirst is a Bay Area nonprofit focused on ending homelessness. In the last five years, we have tripled our impact, delivering comprehensive services to help people secure and keep housing, addressing both immediate and long-term needs. With 45 years of experience, $80M in revenue, clean audits, a strong leadership team, and 500+ employees, HomeFirst is well established to advance the belief that housing is a fundamental human right that requires collaborative solutions.
OPPORTUNITY HIGHLIGHTS:
Salary Range: $130,000-$150,000
Benefits include:
- 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Additional wellness options like chiropractic care, mental health support, pet insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program
- 401(k)-retirement plan with up to 5% matching
- Life and disability insurance
- Flexible spending accounts and commuter benefits
- 12 holidays, sick leave, and PTO starting at 15 days annually, increasing with tenure, plus 8 hours of civic engagement leave annually to volunteer
YOU ARE
- A proactive, entrepreneurial fundraiser who takes ownership of outcomes and is motivated by achieving ambitious revenue goals.
- A strategic and disciplined operator who uses data to prioritize, make decisions and drive performance.
- A relationship-builder who is comfortable engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, from individual donors to corporate partners and senior leaders.
- A collaborative team leader who can both support and hold others accountable, fostering a high-performing and solutions-oriented environment.
- A mission-driven professional who is energized by HomeFirst’s work and brings authenticity, integrity and sound judgment to donor and community relationships.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Director of Development is a key driver of HomeFirst’s contributed revenue growth, supporting a multi-million-dollar fundraising program and leading the execution of integrated strategies across individual giving, corporate partnerships and annual campaigns. Reporting to the Chief Development & Marketing Officer, this role is responsible for expanding the organization’s donor and corporate funding base across Silicon Valley, the South Bay and Sonoma County, with a focus on growing major gifts and corporate support. The Director manages two team members and partners with leadership and program staff to build a robust pipeline, deepen relationships, and advance a high-performing, growth-oriented fundraising program.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Revenue Execution and Portfolio Leadership
- Lead execution of development strategy, translating revenue goals into actionable plans across individual giving, corporate partnerships and campaigns.
- Manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, with a focus on expanding mid-level and major gift pathways.
- Develop and implement strategies for cultivation, solicitation and stewardship that deepen engagement and increase giving over time.
- Build and maintain a strong pipeline, including re-engaging lapsed supporters and identifying new prospects.
- Track performance and provide insights to inform strategy and decision-making, ensuring accountability for revenue targets.
Corporate Partnerships and Revenue Growth
- Build and lead corporate partnerships program, aligning opportunities with organizational priorities and revenue goals.
- Establish a structured approach to corporate engagement, including prospecting, cultivation and stewardship.
- Drive corporate sponsorship revenue across events, campaigns and programs, ensuring a strong and consistent partner experience.
- Secure high-impact partnerships, with a focus on multi-year and six-figure opportunities.
- Partner with the Chief Development & Marketing Officer and executive leadership to advance key relationships.
Team Leadership and Development Operations
- Manage and coach two development team members (Development Manager / Annual Giving & Events; Development Manager / Donor Stewardship), fostering accountability and professional growth.
- Oversee development operations, ensuring effective systems, processes and workflows.
- Partner with the Development Manager / Donor Stewardship to leverage the CRM for tracking, segmentation, reporting and decision-making
- Monitor key performance metrics and maintain consistent pipeline management and reporting practices.
Internal Collaboration and External Representation
- Partner with program, marketing and leadership teams to align fundraising with organizational priorities.
- Represent HomeFirst in the community, building relationships that expand visibility, credibility and philanthropic support.
- Support engagement opportunities that connect donors and partners to the mission in meaningful ways.
Culture and Fundraising Effectiveness
- Reinforce a strong culture of philanthropy within the organization by supporting best practices and increasing internal alignment and shared ownership of fundraising success.
- Contribute to a collaborative, accountable and results-oriented development team.
OUR VALUES
- Kindness: We act with empathy toward others.
- Passion: We ignite change to fulfill our mission.
- Excellence: We deliver exceptional service to our communities.
ORGANIZATIONAL EQUITY STATEMENT
At HomeFirst, diversity, equity, and inclusion guide our services, workplace, and decisions. Recognizing housing as a social justice issue, we prioritize equitable practices, honor lived experiences and uphold dignity for all. By fostering belonging, accountability, and continuous improvement, we embed DEI values in our processes, recruitment, and leadership, striving for excellence at every level.
HomeFirst is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Additionally, HomeFirst participates in the E-Verify program, as required by law.
HomeFirst is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.

QualificationsQUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; advanced certifications a plus.
- 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience with a track record of meeting or exceeding revenue goals.
- Experience managing and growing donor portfolios, including mid-level and/or major gifts.
- Demonstrated success securing corporate partnerships and/or sponsorships.
- Experience managing staff and fostering a high-performing, accountable team environment.
- Proficiency with CRM systems and using data to inform decision-making and track performance.
- Excellent communication, organization, and relationship-management skills
- Willingness to travel within the Bay Area.