AT LA COCINA, everything we do is done with hospitality, for our community, and in the service of opportunity and inclusivity. Our work is to transform the economic conditions that have put up barriers for women, working-class people, immigrants, and people of color in the food industry by providing affordable kitchen spaces, training, resources, and community to talented entrepreneurs so they can build thriving businesses. We center our entrepreneurs in everything that we do, including making working directly with entrepreneurs a requirement of all employees at the organization. We look for passionate, mission-driven individuals that are just as outraged by current social and political structures as we are, and who are touched by the power that food has to transform lives. We’re able to achieve all of this because of the energy you bring and share with others. You can learn more about the organization at www.lacocinasf.org. JOB SUMMARY | As the Director of Development, your mission is to direct a $7M fundraising strategy at La Cocina by cultivating and deepening meaningful relationships with current and prospective individual supporters and our network of institutional donors, building a dedicated community of advocates who are inspired by La Cocina’s mission so that the organization has the resources necessary to fulfill its budgetary obligations and have the maximum mission impact possible. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT ROLE AT LA COCINA CENTERING ENTREPRENEURS | At La Cocina, 5% of your time (approximately 100 hours) will be dedicated to centering the entrepreneurs. This is achieved by delivering technical assistance to participants and graduates of the La Cocina program, participating and engaging with the businesses directly (attending soft openings, speaking/promoting the businesses at networking events, etc.) and supporting events that center the businesses (e.g. loading in and out at Outside Lands). This looks different for each staff member at La Cocina, based on your role and the unique skills and interests that you are able to share. COMMIT TO THE MISSION, VALUES, AND VISION – You must motivate yourself and others to accomplish La Cocina’s goals while remaining committed to our core values (hospitality, community, opportunity, and inclusivity) and ensuring that we're all working towards our vision. LEAD AND MANAGE THE DEVELOPMENT STAFF – You must inspire and motivate the development team and consultants ensuring that they have the work environment, equipment, and technological systems needed to do their jobs, supporting the growth and development of existing staff, and ensuring the quality and effectiveness of development efforts at La Cocina. DEVELOP FUTURE LEADERSHIP – Invest in developing the leadership potential of each team member, creating opportunities for growth and preparing a strong internal bench. This ensures continuity, a smooth transition during key changes, and coverage for critical roles whenever needed. LEAD HIGH IMPACT FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES – Collaborate closely with the Executive Director, Development Manager, Development Committee, Board members, colleagues, and volunteers to design and implement effective strategies for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Ensure all initiatives engage past, current, and potential donors with targeted, meaningful outreach that supports lasting relationships and growth in contributions. SET AND MANAGE ANNUAL BUDGETS – Establish realistic development and organizational budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic goals. Track and maintain these budgets consistently to support accurate grant budgeting and financial transparency. DESIGN AND EXECUTE DONOR ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES – Develop and implement targeted strategies for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors at every level, including: MANAGE EXECUTIVE-LEVEL DONOR PORTFOLIO – Oversee a portfolio of $5,000 donors, supporting the Executive Director in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of these high-impact supporters to maximize engagement and donations. SERVE AS PRIMARY CONTACT FOR INSIDER-LEVEL DONORS – Act as the main relationship manager for Insider-level and above donors, ensuring personalized communication, tailored engagement, and consistent relationship-building. LEAD STRATEGIC GIVING CAMPAIGNS – Collaborate on and manage year-end, Giving Tuesday, and other special giving campaigns, aligning with organizational goals to expand donor reach and increase contribution levels. DEVELOP AND PROMOTE PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM – Market and grow a legacy giving program to engage donors interested in planned giving, providing meaningful opportunities for long-lasting impact. PLAN AND MANAGE DONOR ENGAGEMENT EVENTS – Curate a robust annual calendar of cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising events, including the annual gala, with clear objectives and follow-up plans to ensure strong sponsorship, donor connections and measurable outcomes. LEVERAGE SALESFORCE FOR STRATEGIC INSIGHTS – Regularly analyze giving trends using Salesforce data to inform strategy and adjust donor engagement practices, ensuring data-driven decision-making. OVERSEE DONOR COMMUNICATIONS – Partner with the communications team to create and deploy donor stewardship, renewal, and acquisition messaging across mailings, virtual campaigns, website content, and social media to enhance engagement and reach fundraising targets. OTHER DUTIES that align with the overall skill set and responsibilities of this role may be assigned, as needed. WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TABLE AT LA COCINA LEADERSHIP | All members of the La Cocina staff display leadership by participating in the annual planning and budgeting process for the organization, the annual review process for other members of the staff, and by supporting recruiting initiatives for open roles within the organization. This culture of feedback leads to our collective team’s growth and success. As a people leader of La Cocina, you’ll be responsible for up to 3 employees, acting as a champion for professional development opportunities for your team and delivering thoughtful and candid feedback to support their growth. You’ll take the lead on delivering annual reviews and for hiring for open roles in your department. As the Development Director, you’ll be responsible for the management of the Development Manager. The Development team is supported by consultants and contractors, you are responsible for working closely with them and ensuring that they have the information and resources necessary to effectively support La Cocina with their skills. IMPACT REPORTING AND TECHNOLOGY | Reporting on activities using technology systems including Salesforce is an essential part of La Cocina’s ability to tell the story of the work we do and the impact we are having. Your diligent use of an efficient response to these reporting systems and requests are essential to our ability to raise funds and accurately reflect our impact. Proven history of achieving fundraising goals, executing impactful events, and effectively managing fundraising initiatives to meet organizational objectives. Demonstrated experience in respectfully and authentically telling stories that amplify, center, and celebrate the voices of diverse women, immigrant, and BIPOC communities with the result of driving financial resources towards that mission. Skilled in relaying narratives that uplift these communities with sensitivity, empathy, and cultural awareness, ensuring their stories are told with integrity and respect. A passionate commitment to racial and gender equity in business ownership with deep experience working within low-income communities as well as deep experience working in high-net-worth individuals, philanthropic advisors and philanthropy. Ability to clearly communicate, enthusiastically representing La Cocina to the media, at events and to individuals in ways that effectively inspire and engage our community of supporters and advocates leading to increased donations to the organization. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees, entrepreneurs, local government, corporations, banks, commercial real estate, and food industry leaders, consulting experts, and the general public. Outcome-driven leader who can guide strategy and also know when adjustments are needed to successfully adapt to a constantly changing environment. Experience in the food industry will allow you to relate to and support the entrepreneurs in La Cocina’s program. Thoughtful and eager participant in community-wide events and initiatives. Being bilingual in Spanish and English will serve you well in this role, but is not required. $110,000 - $150,000 a year Annual Salary determined based on candidate skills and qualifications TIME OFF RESTRICTIONS Avoid substantial time off during any major fundraising campaigns, all La Cocina development special events and for any large donor or partner commitments. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY La Cocina is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.