Vice President of Development, Individual Giving & Regional Engagement

Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users worldwide and 1.4 million educators every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.

Job Overview:

We are seeking a strategic, relationship-centered, and mission-driven Vice President of Development to lead our individual giving and fundraising operations during a time of national momentum. This is a high-impact role that combines strategic vision, community connection, and operational excellence to fuel our mission and expand our reach from $5M to $10M+ in annual individual giving revenue over the next five years.

At Common Sense Media, we believe that philanthropy is rooted in authentic, long-term relationships. Fundraising is not transactional—it's about building trust, aligning values, and connecting our mission to the passions of our community. This role will serve as both a frontline fundraiser and strategic leader, cultivating deep donor partnerships while managing comprehensive fundraising operations.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and working in close partnership with the co-CEOs and senior leadership, this role will drive national major gift strategy, oversee development operations, and shape a culture of philanthropy aligned with our values and goals.


Location: San Francisco, California
Reports To: Chief Development Officer
Salary: $160,000–$190,000
Type: Full-time, exempt

What You'll Do:

Strategic Leadership & Fundraising Strategy

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual and multi-year fundraising strategy to expand donor base and grow revenue from $5M to $10M+ over five years

• Champion a fundraising philosophy focused on cultivating authentic, lasting connections and relationship-centered philanthropy

• Build and expand regional growth strategies through donor engagement, partnership-building, and community storytelling

• Collaborate with CDO, CEO, and senior leadership to integrate fundraising into broader strategic planning and program priorities

Major Gift Portfolio Management

• Personally cultivate and manage a portfolio of 100-125 active major donors and prospects, focusing primarily on gifts in the $25K to $1M+ range

• Design bespoke cultivation and solicitation strategies that reflect donor interests and organizational impact

• Serve as lead strategist on principal/leadership gifts ($100K and above) in partnership with CDO, CEO, and board volunteers

• Demonstrate proven experience in stewarding gifts of $1M or more and securing six- and seven-figure commitments

Program Integration & Relationship Building

• Direct all individual-giving fundraising efforts, including leadership gifts, major gifts, annual giving, events, and donor advisory councils

• Partner with research, advocacy, and education teams to create compelling engagement opportunities aligned with mission delivery

• Activate regional advisory councils and flagship events (e.g., LA, SF, Silicon Valley, NYC) as catalysts for deeper relationships

• Translate programmatic work into compelling stories that inspire donors at all giving levels

Annual & Mid-Level Giving Oversight

• Oversee strategy for growing base of supporters ($1,000–$24,999) through targeted cultivation and pipeline development

• Optimize digital campaigns, direct mail, and peer-to-peer channels to strengthen donor retention and community involvement

• Coordinate curated donor events and mission-based experiences that move prospects through the giving pipeline

Events & Stewardship

• Oversee development events (friendraisers and fundraisers) across regions, including signature national events

• Refine and manage comprehensive stewardship and donor communications programs aimed at cultivating deeper donor ties

• Ensure seamless donor experiences through collaboration with communications, events, and finance teams

Team Leadership & Operations

• Manage geographically distributed team of regional engagement staff

• Foster a collaborative, donor-centered culture rooted in community alignment and goal-oriented achievement

• Coach team members to prioritize trust-building and long-term stewardship alongside performance metrics

Data Management & Reporting

• Establish clear, realistic, and transparent fundraising success metrics and accountability practices

• Monitor all donor information using CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and donor research tools

• Provide timely and accurate fundraising reports and statistical analysis to CDO, executive leadership, and board

Board & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Board of Directors to grow culture of philanthropy and support high-level relationship management

• Collaborate across departments with high level of intra- and interdepartmental coordination

• Work closely with communications, events, and finance teams to ensure integrated donor experiences

What We're Looking For:

Required Experience

• 15+ years of fundraising experience, including major gift cultivation, multiyear fundraising strategy, and team leadership

• Demonstrated experience formulating visionary strategies and managing integrated individual giving programs (major gifts, events, annual appeals)

• Proven track record helping to lead major gifts or capital campaigns with depth of knowledge in comprehensive campaign management

• Proven success securing six- and seven-figure gifts and building long-term donor relationships

• Experience managing teams of four or more while creating goal-oriented environments that empower and inspire

Essential Skills & Competencies

• High level of comfort and effectiveness working with high net-worth individuals and corporate business leaders

• Deep belief in relationship-based philanthropy and community building

• Authentic communicator and active listener who builds trust and champions collaboration

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with ability to create compelling impact stories

• Entrepreneurial spirit with strategic vision and willingness to execute hands-on work

• Demonstrated ability to lead with empathy, inspire action, and navigate sophisticated donor landscapes

Technical Requirements

• Familiarity with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred), donor research tools, and performance analytics

• Experience supporting board fundraising and regional philanthropic activations

• Personal flexibility to travel and work evenings as required

Education & Values Alignment

• Bachelor's degree in related field required; master's degree preferred

• Passion for Common Sense's mission and deep commitment to organizational values

• Commitment to building authentic, long-term relationships over transactional approaches

Our Benefits:

• The chance to work with talented, passionate professionals.

• A great health and welfare benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, a matching 401(k), and other key benefits.

• An organization that offers work/life balance.

• The opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of kids and families!

Common Sense Media provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected classification or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Common Sense Media will also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. However, job offers are made on the condition that the applicant subsequently passes a criminal background check. If the background check indicates a prior criminal conviction, we will conduct an individualized assessment to determine whether the conviction should result in denial of employment. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.