Job Description

WHO WE ARE

For more than 100 years, the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) San Diego has supported our military community. The organization serves as the constant in a military family’s life: on the home front, during deployment, when transitioning between bases, and in times of conflict and peace.

As an Association of the YMCA of the USA, the ASYMCA is specifically dedicated to serving active-duty junior enlisted military service members and their families from all six armed services: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The oldest military support organization in the U.S., the ASYMCA has been “Strengthening Our Military Family®” since 1861 through its 12 branches and 24 affiliate partners, serving 87 military installations and facilities nationwide. Our nationally and locally tailored programs and services for our nation’s troops and their families are offered at no or low cost and require no dues or membership fees.

Our first San Diego location opened at 500 Broadway to military members in 1924, with programs focused on physical activity, community, and religion. Now, ASYMCA San Diego has expanded its reach with locations in Murphy Canyon, Naval Medical Center San Diego, and Horse of the Sun Ranch in Pine Valley. As the need for support has grown, so have our programs, with our areas of focus encompassing Healthy Living, Youth Development, and Social Responsibility. In 2022, we provided 130,000 families with critical services, delivered 550,000 points of service to military families, and enrolled 2,500 youth in education and skill-building programs. By Spring 2025, we will more than double our childcare capacity and youth programs through the opening of our new Center for Military Families in Murphy Canyon. This space will include 7 new classrooms and a multi-use outdoor community space and learning area.

For more information, please visit:

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

The Armed Services YMCA San Diego is governed by a dedicated and supportive Board of Directors. The organization is comprised of over 30 capable and passionate professionals, many of whom have ties to the military community and understand the need for comprehensive programs and support. The organization’s Executive Director, Frank Martin, served 31 years active duty Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer with his last active duty assignment as Commander, Navy Region MIDWEST, with responsibility over three installations: Naval Station Great Lakes, IL; Naval Support Activity Crane, IN; and Naval Support Activity Mid-South Millington, TN. Prior to joining ASYMCA, Frank served as the Client Executive - Navy, for AT&T Government Solutions Inc. (GSI), where he ran the AT&T office in San Diego, supervised 63 direct employees, and served U.S. Navy customers.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary: $140,000 - $160,000 DOE/neg.
• Medical and dental coverage
• Life insurance coverage
• 403(b) with a 12% contribution which begins once an employee has worked for 2 years or completed 1,000 hours per year
• 10 days accrued paid vacation annually, 12 days paid sick leave, 11 paid holidays, and 3 personal paid days off
• $3,000 professional development plan
• Opportunity for an annual bonus
• 1 week-long training in July at the Lily School of Philanthropy
• Complimentary YMCA membership is available for staff and their household members
• Cellphone stipend of $40 per month

LOCATION

The Armed Services YMCA San Diego office is located at 3292 Santo Road, San Diego, CA 92124. This role is primarily in-person, with the option to work from home on occasion as needed.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Development and External Affairs role is a unique opportunity to expand our impact and further deepen the support we receive, ensuring our military families have access to resources, relationships, and opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Director will manage 5 direct reports: Development Director, Special and Community Events Director, Volunteer and Community Relations Director, Donor Relations Director, and Marketing Director. This role will be responsible for fundraising, donor relations, community engagement, marketing activities, media engagement, and support to special events. The Senior Director will ultimately be responsible for ASYMCA San Diego’s philanthropy portfolio and raise over $4M annually through campaigns, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, individual giving, major gifts, government grants, special events, and planned giving.

This is a highly collaborative role, partnering with leadership to strengthen and improve the organization’s overall fundraising capacity, providing critical funds to serve more families, and further develop our programs. As one of our senior team members, the Senior Director will also represent ASYMCA in the community, developing lasting relationships to build our visibility, impact, and financial resources.

Strategic priorities for the Senior Director of Development and External Affairs include:

• Raise funds in support of our capital project, Center for Military Families; secure funds to expand and sustain the programs that will be held at the facility.
• Build trusting relationships with new and existing stakeholders.
• Streamline processes and procedures and implement fundraising best practices to ensure the development team is cohesive and organized.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead, develop, and execute strategies for all fundraising areas including major gifts, individual giving, government and foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, and special events.
• Work collaboratively with various departments, and with military and civilian organizations, to provide fundraising in support of high-quality programs/events which benefit military members and their families.
• Participate in strategic planning, goal development, and assessment of effectiveness that are in accordance with the mission and the goals of the organization.
• Develop and manage an annual fundraising budget.
• Supervise, assist, and train a team of 6 staff members in Development, Marketing, and Community Events.
• Create and manage clear success metrics, holding yourself and others accountable for achieving those goals.
• Implement innovative strategies for securing new funding resources.
• Manage prospective and current funder relationships, ensuring all funders are informed about our work on an ongoing basis and feel connected to our organization.
• Build and cultivate trusting relationships with key organizations and community partners.
• Work with staff members, the Board of Directors, and other stakeholders to proactively enhance, expand, and execute development efforts, building current and new relationships.
• Partner with the leadership team to plan and execute special events.
• Oversee the design and production of donor recognition materials and solicitations, as well as the development and distribution of publications, newsletters, and the annual report.
• Create and give presentations as well as site tours to groups about ASYMCA San Diego’s mission and programs, activities, and benefits to help engage new audiences and expand awareness as well as the donor base.
• Oversee grant proposal development, working in close collaboration with relevant staff.
• Establish policies, systems, and procedures, with a special emphasis on professionalism and ethical standards, for soliciting, acknowledging, tracking, and reporting gifts.
• Supervise the appropriate use of technology and reporting, ensuring donor privacy, data accuracy, and timeliness of acknowledgments and reporting.

BACKGROUND PROFILE

• An appreciation for and a desire to support military members and their families.
• Demonstrated professional fundraising experience, with a complete end-to-end understanding of fundraising strategies, systems, and processes.
• Experience working directly with individuals, foundations, and corporations to cultivate and secure gifts at all levels.
• Demonstrated experience supporting programmatic fundraising efforts, including grant management, reporting, and proposal development.
• Strong leadership skills with a collaborative spirit and strong management skills, including budget development and team management.
• Effective communication skills, written and oral; comfortable communicating key data points and presenting to the Board, donors, and partners from diverse backgrounds.
• Exceptional managerial experience, with an inclusive leadership style, and the ability to lead and inspire staff, donors, and partners.
• Strong analytical skills and use of data to drive fundraising, partnership decisions, and forecasting.
• Donor CRM database knowledge and experience.
• Minimum BA, a MA and/or California Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) preferred.

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