At San Diego Foundation, we value our diverse and experienced staff who are committed to our mission of improving the quality of life within all of San Diego’s communities. We strive to be an employer of choice, offering a competitive compensation package, and a professional and vibrant work environment for those who have a passion for our mission that is carried out every day by providing leadership for effective philanthropy and promoting community solutions.
The Community Impact (CI) Division of San Diego Foundation collaborates with donors, local education agencies, community-based -based educators and organizations, government, business, policy analysts, and researchers to create new strategies and solutions for the region’s most pressing challenges. CI’s impact is measured with data, as well as the difference we make in the lives of people throughout San Diego County.
Education Initiatives, within the Community Impact Division of San Diego Foundation, mobilizes philanthropy to advance educational equity in San Diego County. We do this by focusing on strategies that improve educational outcomes in K-16 so students are prepared for college, career and life success. Nothing like access to a quality K-12 education and post-secondary degree can do more to level the playing field and ensure all our young people have what the need to dream, succeed and lead. Advancing educational equity means providing quality education and college/career success for all students – especially those who sit furthest from opportunity in San Diego. By advancing educational equity through key strategic efforts, San Diego Foundation is better preparing our region’s students for college and career with support for their postsecondary pathways, so they are poised to achieve their aspirations and contribute to our region’s prosperity.
San Diego Foundation is seeking an experienced, mission-driven professional to join the Education Initiatives Team, within our Community Impact division as the Assistant Director of Education Policy. This person will be a vital contributor to the Foundation in driving and supporting the development of a policy agenda and investment strategies for K-16 education, including a specific focus on educator workforce and diversity efforts.
The experienced Assistant Director will draw on their considerable knowledge of the local UTK-16 and educator workforce landscape to support strategic regional efforts towards better educational outcomes for San Diego County students. This position requires a candidate with a strong understanding of education policy, the root causes of structural inequities, and the ways in which good policy improves the learning experience and outcomes for students. This position is intended for a person who is deeply motivated by a desire to use their knowledge and talents in service of advancing educational equity. The ideal candidate will also have some experience in a governmental or legislative context.
Primary strategies under the purview of the Assistant Director, include, but are not limited to, the identification of policy priorities and elaboration of a policy agenda that advances the San Diego Foundation’s education investments in key content areas (increasing access to quality and coherent expanded learning; improving college access and success for underrepresented student populations, English Language Learners, students experiencing homelessness and students in the foster care system); and in particular teacher workforce issues) development of grantmaking strategies in support of program and policy goals in key content areas, conducting desk research and data analysis to support evidence-based program design and decision-making, and supporting convening and collaboration between diverse stakeholders working to achieve shared, long-range objectives.
This initiative includes a multi-county collaboration with partners at community foundations in Los Angeles and Riverside Counties to engage their policy makers and educators, ensuring a regional approach to improving curriculum coherence and educator preparation.
Note: This role is structured as a two-year term, contingent on the continuation of external funding.
This is a hybrid role with weekly onsite requirements at our San Diego Headquarter Office in Liberty Station.

REQUIREMENTS

• Mission-driven leader with a demonstrated commitment to advancing educational equity and strengthening San Diego’s educator workforce.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in program development, grantmaking, policy analysis, or community partnerships, with a focus on education, workforce development, or philanthropy.
• Proven expertise in managing cross-sector collaborations, including school districts, higher education institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic partners.
• Strong track record in designing and implementing strategic initiatives that support teacher preparation, retention, and workforce diversity.
• Experience overseeing budgets, managing grants, and tracking impact metrics, with the ability to translate data into compelling narratives for various stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing staff, consultants, and/or contractors, with a focus on team development and results-driven execution.
• Deep understanding of California’s education landscape, including policies, funding structures, and workforce trends affecting TK-12 educators.
• Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously while ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• High emotional intelligence and cultural competency, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse communities, educators, and stakeholders.
• Strong public speaking and facilitation skills, with experience presenting to educators, policymakers, donors, and community leaders.
• Proficiency in financial management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, and grant compliance.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, database/contact management software, and data visualization tools.
• Familiarity with key issues in educational equity, including teacher diversity, credentialing pathways, and the impact of systemic barriers on historically marginalized communities.
• Ability to develop and execute a policy and advocacy agenda, working collaboratively with internal and external partners to advance systemic change.
• Experience in donor relations, fundraising, and resource development, with the ability to cultivate funding partnerships and secure aligned investments.
• Must reside in San Diego County.

Language Skills:

• Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently
• Additional language proficiency is helpful

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• Professional, hybrid work environment in San Diego
• Fast-paced work with multi-level distractions
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time at meetings, desk, computer, driving
• Ability to sit at a desk and view a computer screen for up to two hours
• Ability to type using a computer keyboard
• Ability to speak into and use a telephone

BENEFITS

• Salaried Exempt: $120,000.00 - $130,000 .00 (San Diego Foundation is committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. Actual offers will be reflective of qualifications, skills and experience, internal equity, alignment with market data, among other relevant factors.)
• Supportive, inclusive company culture; awarded Top Workplace by the San Diego Union Tribune 5 years in a row
• Flexible 9/80 Alternative workweek schedule, with every other Friday off
• Hybrid work environment with support for at home office setup
• 100% Employer paid medical, vision, dental, life, AD&D and long-term disability premiums; 75% Employer-paid premiums for all dependents on your benefits
• 403B Retirement plan match up to 4% + Annual discretionary contribution
• Earned Incentive Program
• 3 weeks of paid time off + 1 additional week off with pay in July for all staff
• 4-week sabbatical for every 5 years of service
• 13 paid holidays + 2 paid volunteer days off each year
• Extended Health Care Time accruing at 2.77 hours per pay period to a cap of 480 hours: use for sick time, family care, and parental leave baby bonding
• $100 monthly cell and internet reimbursement
• $75 quarterly gym reimbursement
• Donor Advised Fund contribution with no minimum and $600 annual match from the Foundation to a nonprofit of your choice
• Annual service award $100 donation to nonprofit of your choice
  This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice

Education Policy & Advocacy

• In close collaboration with the Director of Education, and in consultation with other internal and external partners, defines, implements, monitors, evaluates and communicates the results of a policy agenda and complementary investment strategies that advance SDF’s education objectives in key content areas in San Diego County
• Maintains depth and expertise in the Foundation’s areas of interest, major education policy reform efforts, and initiatives that impact education issues in San Diego County, the State of California, and the United States.
• Identification of opportunities for philanthropic investments to support successful implementation of policy changes and engaging in feedback to state or federal partners on local opportunities, barriers and results

Grantmaking & Impact Strategies for Teacher Workforce & Diversity

• Implement San Diego Foundation’s direct and aligned grants and grant programs in teacher preparation, retention and diversity effort
• Oversees and leads a collaboration between SDF and several funding partners to build awareness of TK-12 teacher workforce issues including data and innovations to ensure San Diego’s teachers are prepared and successful in our region’s classrooms. Duties, include developing a learning arc and complementary convening schedule for partners, investment strategy development, budget and workplan setting, reporting and communicating impact, and donor stewardship and fundraising.
• Monitors, document and compellingly communicate the impact of these investments for internal and external audiences
• Identifies grantmaking and other impact opportunities to advance teacher diversity, preparation, retention and other educator workforce issues in San Diego County. When required, develops grant guidelines, review and awarding process and reporting structures. Monitors grant progress and impact and creates and delivers compelling impact reports to internal and external audiences.
• Acts as thought partner to funded and aligned community partners and, by employing the tenants of Trust-Based Philanthropy, seizes on opportunities to build field capacity of partners and allies
• Contributes expertise to related networks and works to represent San Diego County’s needs and opportunities at statewide and national tables

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Nurtures relationships with the region’s education leaders, district and school administrator, teachers and education advocates
• Represents SDF in state and national settings to share the impact of our educator workforce investments
• Forge partnership with other investors in educational equity such as state and national foundation, philanthropists, government agencies to drive at co-funding and aligned funding opportunities

Education Policy & Advocacy

• In close collaboration with the Director of Education, and in consultation with other internal and external partners, defines, implements, monitors, evaluates and communicates the results of a policy agenda and complementary investment strategies that advance SDF’s education objectives in key content areas in San Diego County
• Maintains depth and expertise in the Foundation’s areas of interest, major education policy reform efforts, and initiatives that impact education issues in San Diego County, the State of California, and the United States.
• Identification of opportunities for philanthropic investments to support successful implementation of policy changes and engaging in feedback to state or federal partners on local opportunities, barriers and results.

Fundraising & Resource Development

• In consultation with Director, Education Initiatives, pursues and brings in additional funding resources, prepares funding proposals, and completes required reports as appropriate. Develops and maintains relationships with local/national funders and seeks opportunities to leverage additional resources in the form of gifts, awards, scholarships and/or job opportunities for youth. Prepares information for donors and/or meets with donors to discuss related giving preferences and appeal for support for postsecondary opportunities for underserved youth. Presents donor fundholders with grant recommendations through written communications and presentations.