TITLE: Executive Director, Sharks Foundation & Head of Community Impact

POSITION TYPE: Full Time, Exempt

COMPANY: Sharks Sports and Entertainment, LLC

LOCATION: San Jose, CA

REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President, General Counsel

POSTING DATED: April 24, 2024

Pay Range: The pay range for this role is $170,000 - $200,000 per year

Actual base pay will be determined based on permissible factors such as transferable skills, work experience, market demands and primary work location. The base pay range provided is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Position Overview

The Executive Director, Sharks Foundation & Head of Community Impact will lead and drive strategic growth across Sharks Sports & Entertainment’s (SSE) community- and philanthropic-oriented functional groups, including community relations and the Sharks Foundation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Sharks Foundation

Strategy and Programming
- Establish strategic direction and ensure successful implementation of annual operating plan
- Establish policies and procedures for all functions and day-to-day operations
- Build and maintain relationships with individuals and organizations to strategically enhance the Foundation’s mission
- Oversee all Foundation programming, storytelling, public affairs, and volunteer engagement opportunities
Governance
- Manage and mentor team on all aspects of governance, including a restructure of Foundation Board (“Board”) member appointments and involving the Board in policy decisions, fundraising and overall Foundation operations
- Support the recruiting, nominating, and training process for new Board members
- Institute and oversee Board committee meetings
- Mentor and encourage Board members in personal giving and fundraising goals
- Prepare agendas, reports, and materials for Board meetings, attend Board meetings, and communicate such materials to the Board in a clear and timely manner
- Introduce and encourage Board development initiatives as appropriate for healthy Board governance Participate in pertinent Board committee meetings and facilitate and support their work
Fiscal & Operational Management
- Develop and oversee annual budget; revise and update as needed to ensure alignment with the Foundation’s strategic plan and emerging priorities
- Institute and collaborate with a Board Finance Committee to facilitate oversight of financial management and Board reporting
- Direct and coordinate financial programs for all funding operations and oversee all fundraising efforts.
- Organize and manage projects and people to accomplish the Foundation’s mission and ensure healthy revenue streams
- Collaborate with accountants regularly on routing oversight of financial operations including banking, cash flow, and internal controls
Administration and Operations
- Serve as the Foundation’s primary spokesperson to constituents, the media, and the general public
- Lead, mentor and collaborate with Foundation staff, and cross-functional SSE teams and staff
- Oversee the day-to-day operations, staff and programs, in close collaboration with working committee including conducting staff meetings to ensure all team members clearly understand the vision for their roles and activities
Fundraising
- Articulate a vision of philanthropy to inspire and motivate donors, volunteers, and staff
- Develop a comprehensive annual fundraising plan to ensure sustainability of desired programming, including cash and in-kind contributions
- Explore and expand fundraising activities to support desired programming and new ventures, including grant writing, fundraising events, donor outreach, and increased community presence
- Personally engage donors, oversee grant applications, investigate fundraising events, expand digital fundraising efforts, manage annual appeals and encourage major gifts
- Prepare annual fundraising budget, identify contribution levels, and expand donor base
- Ensure philanthropic goals are aligned with strategic goals

Community Relations

Oversee all San Jose Sharks community relations staff and programming
Advise on best practices for independent youth hockey programs and fundraising efforts and design plan to further cohesion between Community and all Sharks-sponsored youth programming
Develop community impact strategy and assess program viability through revenue generated by partnerships and/or ticket sales
Manage programming with current and alumni players and collaborate with the Alumni Foundation
Direct development, planning, and execution of community initiatives and projects, working with SSE staff to achieve organizational objectives
Oversee community development components of SSE corporate social responsibility programs

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree, 10+ years senior nonprofit management and/or corporate social responsibility experience
Subject matter expertise of fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to nonprofit sector; sports industry experience required
A commitment to and passion for the San Jose/greater Bay Area community, children, and families
Objective-driven, self-directed and highly adaptable to working in a rapidly changing environment
Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate with all levels of donors as well as mid-level fundraising, marketing campaigns and grant writing as needed
Strong leadership skills including excellent oral and written communication skills, public speaking, and ability to engage, delegate and motivate staff, volunteers and Board members, donors, and other stakeholders
Solid knowledge of organizational development, short- and long-range planning
Demonstrated leadership of managing multiple projects across multiple locations as well as managing volunteers
A leadership style rooted in integrity, transparency, and accountability
Financial management expertise including fund allocation, and leveraging assets and resources; solid, hands-on, budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting
Demonstrated ability to oversee, lead, and collaborate with staff
Experience in designing, implementing and executing a comprehensive development plan and in identifying and securing gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies, including membership, corporate memberships, patron contributions, grants and event rentals

Physical Requirements

Ability to sit, stand and utilize a computer for extended periods of time
Communicate via phone and email with a variety of individuals
Ability to bend at the waist, reach overhead and lift up to 15 lbs with or without accommodation
Physically navigate stairs and catwalks at SSE facilities during normal work hours and events with or without accommodation
Ability to work occasional extended hours including nights, weekends, holidays (all with advance notice)
May be required to travel to other company locations
May be required to attend conference, events, and training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations.

What We Offer

Competitive compensation (base salary and variable incentive plan)
Medical/Dental/Vision/Flexible Spending Accounts (all LGBTQ+ friendly)
Pretax Transportation Benefit
401K (pre-tax and Roth options)
Generous Paid Time Off Policy
Minimum of 10 Paid Holidays and Wellness Days per year
Complimentary or discounted sports and concert tickets
Other League & partner discounts
Central office location in downtown San Jose at the heart of Silicon Valley; convenient access to Caltrain, VTA, major freeways and free parking
An inclusive culture which values diversity of background and a passion to improve our SSE’s commitment to change with impact on our community and industry
Potential for flexible scheduling and telework opportunities
Free access to on-site Volta EV charging stations on non-event days

This position is not eligible for U.S. work authorization sponsorship.

Summary:

Born in 1991, Sharks Sports and Entertainment (“SSE”) has grown into a multi-faceted organization that includes the SAP Center, the NHL San Jose Sharks, the AHL San Jose Barracuda, the Tech CU Arena, three Sharks Ice facilities, and the non-profit Sharks Foundation. Additionally, we are growing our organization through expansion in the Bay Area and surrounding communities in Northern California.

We work and play in the Bay Area, and are deeply influenced by the technology, innovation, diversity, and commitment to excellence that surrounds us. Our culture is transforming to reflect those values, with an eye towards a pioneering, forward-thinking, and inclusive environment in sports and entertainment.

We live, work, and innovate by a set of Pioneering Principles:

T – Team success is more important than individual success

E – Exceptional experience is non-negotiable in everything we do

A – Appreciate others for their diversity and opinions

M – More risk leads to more rewards and expands our comfort zones

T – Trust that all teammates have the best intentions

E – Empower all teammates to make informed decisions

A – Always say what you really mean and do what you say

L – Lead by showing the respect to others you expect from them

We strive to unite people through a shared love of ice sports, entertainment, and our hometown. We are #TealTogether.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

Here at Team Teal, we recognize and celebrate that individuals come with a wealth of experience and talent well beyond any list of required skills and qualifications – in fact, we believe diversity of backgrounds and skills, combined with passion, are the most important keys to meaningful innovation and excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to ourpositions. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sharks Sports and Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, medical condition as defined by state law (genetic characteristics or cancer), physical or mental disability, military service or veterans’ status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.

Notice to Recruiters and Agencies

SSE recruits candidates directly, rather than through third-party recruiters or agencies. Under no circumstances will SSE pay a fee for candidates submitted or presented without a signed recruiting agreement in place between SSE and the recruiter or agency prior to the submittal; any submittal must be for requisition specifically and individually assigned in writing by SSE’s HR department. In the case of candidate(s) submitted or presented to SSE by a recruiter or agency without a signed agreement AND written assignment by SSE Human Resources, SSE explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) with no financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.