About This Opportunity
Sparta Business Solutions has been retained by Samaritan House to conduct a retained executive search for its next Vice President of Advancement.
This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished fundraising executive to join one of the Bay Area's most respected nonprofit organizations. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Vice President of Advancement will provide strategic leadership for fundraising, communications, marketing, public relations, and community engagement while helping shape the future of an organization dedicated to serving individuals and families throughout San Mateo County.
Samaritan House is seeking a confident, collaborative, and mission-driven executive who brings a proven record of fundraising success, inspires high-performing teams, builds meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers, board members, corporate partners, and community stakeholders, and is passionate about advancing an organization committed to creating lasting impact.
This is more than an executive leadership position—it is an opportunity to help transform lives, strengthen communities, and shape the future of one of the region's most impactful nonprofit organizations.
About Samaritan House
For more than 50 years, Samaritan House has been dedicated to helping individuals and families throughout San Mateo County meet their basic needs and move toward stability and self-sufficiency. Through comprehensive programs including food, shelter, healthcare, financial assistance, case management, and family support services, Samaritan House serves thousands of neighbors each year with compassion, dignity, and hope.
As the organization continues to grow and expand its impact, the Vice President of Advancement will play a critical leadership role in advancing its mission, strengthening philanthropic partnerships, expanding community engagement, and supporting long-term organizational sustainability.
Position Summary
The Vice President of Advancement serves as a strategic member of the Executive Leadership Team and provides vision, leadership, and oversight for Samaritan House's comprehensive advancement program, including:
- Major Gifts
- Individual Giving
- Corporate Partnerships
- Foundation Relations
- Planned Giving
- Annual Giving
- Special Events
- Marketing & Communications
- Public Relations
- Community Engagement
This executive will lead a talented advancement team while partnering closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, executive leadership, volunteers, donors, foundations, and community partners to achieve ambitious fundraising goals and elevate Samaritan House's visibility throughout the region.
The Ideal Executive Leader
The successful candidate is an experienced advancement executive who combines strategic vision with humility, authenticity, and servant leadership.
This individual is:
- A relationship builder who earns trust quickly.
- A strategic fundraiser with measurable success.
- A collaborative executive who enjoys developing people.
- A confident communicator who represents an organization with credibility and passion.
- An innovative thinker who embraces data, technology, and continuous improvement.
- A mission-driven leader who values teamwork, integrity, accountability, and service.
Minimum Qualifications
Qualified candidates should possess:
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive nonprofit fundraising and advancement leadership experience.
- Demonstrated success leading comprehensive fundraising programs, including major gifts, annual giving, foundation relations, corporate partnerships, planned giving, and special events.
- Executive Leadership Team experience with responsibility for organizational strategy and decision-making.
- Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams.
- Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills.
- Experience working collaboratively with CEOs, Boards of Directors, donors, volunteers, and community stakeholders.
- Experience with donor databases and CRM systems (Salesforce preferred).
- Passion for Samaritan House's mission and commitment to serving the community.
Why This Opportunity?
This is more than a fundraising leadership position.
It is an opportunity to:
- Shape the future of a highly respected nonprofit organization.
- Build meaningful relationships that transform lives.
- Lead a talented and committed advancement team.
- Partner with an engaged Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors.
- Expand philanthropic impact throughout San Mateo County.
- Leave a lasting legacy within one of the Bay Area's most respected human service organizations.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $200,000–$240,000 annually
Samaritan House offers a comprehensive executive benefits package.
Executive Search Process
This position is being conducted as a Retained Executive Search by Sparta Business Solutions on behalf of Samaritan House.
To ensure a consistent, confidential, and equitable search process, all applications and candidate communications must be submitted through Sparta Business Solutions via Indeed.
Please do not contact Samaritan House directly regarding this opportunity. Candidates who bypass the executive search process or contact the client directly may be removed from consideration.
Qualified candidates selected to move forward may participate in multiple stages of the executive search process, including:
- Executive Application Review
- Sparta Business Solutions Executive Interview
- Leadership Assessment
- Client Executive Interviews
- Professional Reference Review
- Final Selection Process
Each stage has been intentionally designed to identify the executive leader whose experience, leadership style, and values best align with Samaritan House's mission, culture, and long-term strategic goals.
Final candidates will be required to successfully complete professional reference and background checks prior to employment.
Samaritan House is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
About Sparta Business Solutions
Sparta Business Solutions is a relationship-driven executive search and recruiting firm committed to connecting exceptional leaders with organizations where they can create lasting impact.
Our retained executive search process is built upon partnership, integrity, transparency, and thoughtful evaluation. We believe successful executive placements are achieved by understanding not only a candidate's experience, but also their leadership philosophy, values, organizational fit, and long-term vision.
Through every retained executive search, our goal is to identify leaders who inspire people, strengthen organizations, and advance mission-driven work throughout the communities they serve.
Pay: $200,000.00 - $240,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Fundraising Leadership (Short Answer)
Describe the largest fundraising campaign, major gifts program, or advancement initiative you have personally led. Please include the approximate fundraising goal or annual revenue managed.
- Leadership Philosophy (Short Answer)
Describe your leadership philosophy and how you develop, coach, and inspire high-performing advancement teams.
Describe your experience partnering with a Board of Directors in fundraising, strategic planning, governance, and organizational leadership.
What interests you most about serving as the next Vice President of Advancement for Samaritan House?
How did you first learn about this executive leadership opportunity? (Short Answer)
Please tell us how you first learned about this opportunity. If you were referred by someone, please include their name, organization, or relationship to you. If applicable, include the networking group, professional association, recruiter, website, social media platform, or other source where you discovered this position.
Education:
Experience:
- Fundraising: 10 years (Required)
- Senior leadership: 10 years (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in San Mateo, CA 94403
