Description
About the Role
Since 1977, the San Francisco Decorator Showcase has raised over $20 million to benefit the San Francisco University High School (UHS) Financial Aid Program. As the premier showcase house event on the West Coast, this month-long public event transforms an exemplary San Francisco home through the collaborative efforts of dozens of lauded designers. Revenue from ticket sales, corporate events, and direct fundraising grants hundreds of deserving Bay Area students access to a world-class college preparatory education.
The Director is responsible for strategically advancing the event’s mission while maintaining direct administrative and operational oversight. Reporting to the Director of Development and serving as a key member of the UHS Development Team, you will oversee the entire event lifecycle—from securing the home and managing relationships with homeowners and designers to orchestrating construction logistics and high-end events. Due to the relational nature of this role, it will predominantly be an in person and on site role.
Requirements
Strategic Leadership & Community Relations- Vision & Strategy: Implement and continually refine the event’s strategic vision, ensuring the program directly aligns with the school’s mission and strategic goals.
- External Ambassadorship: Serve as a key spokesperson for the Decorator Showcase and Financial Aid programs, building strong local and national relationships.
- Stakeholder Relations: Maintain robust, trusting partnerships with designers, real estate professionals, donors, neighbors, and the broader UHS volunteer community.
- Board Engagement: Lead the restructure of the Design Advisory Board (DAB)—including creating by-laws, term limits, and job descriptions—and deliver regular progress reports to both the DAB and the UHS Board of Trustees.
- Site & Venue Management: Identify and confirm annual showcase venues, negotiate lease terms with homeowners, and manage ongoing homeowner and neighbor relations.
- Construction & Compliance: Oversee and manage the house's physical transformation, including pulling permits, sourcing vendor quotes, managing contractors, and hosting inspectors.
- Designer Curation: Lead designer recruitment, selection, and overall project management, acting as the primary liaison between the homeowner and designers to ensure work is completed beautifully and on time.
- Team Leadership: Directly manage the Showcase Operations and Events Manager, alongside seasonal part-time employees and interns, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
- Budget Oversight: Partner with the UHS Business Office to develop, manage, and scale an annual budget that reflects organizational and strategic priorities.
- Fundraising Strategy: Collaborate closely with the UHS Development Office to drive corporate underwriting programs and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies.
- Executive Presence: Proven experience leading large-scale projects, high-level volunteer boards, and cross-functional teams.
- Operations & Logistics Expert: Strong background in complex project management, vendor relations, and navigate regulatory/permitting environments.
- Fundraising & Relationship Savvy: Demonstrated success in donor cultivation, corporate underwriting, and community engagement.
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. UHS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including retirement, medical, vision, dental, and vacation.
Reports To: Director of Development
FLSA Status and Schedule: Exempt 12-month - full time
Salary: $135,000 - $150,000
To Apply
Interested candidates should prepare a resume, cover letter, and any additional portfolio materials that highlight your executive leadership or event production skillset. Please submit all materials using the online application.
Non-Discrimination Policy
San Francisco University High School is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. School policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.
Skills Required
- Implement and refine event strategic vision aligned with organizational goals.
- Serve as spokesperson and build local and national relationships for the Showcase and Financial Aid programs.
- Maintain partnerships with designers, homeowners, real estate professionals, donors, neighbors, and volunteers.
- Lead restructure of the Design Advisory Board including by-laws, term limits, and job descriptions; report to boards.
- Identify and confirm annual showcase venues and negotiate lease terms with homeowners.
- Oversee construction logistics, permitting, vendor quotes, contractor management, and inspector coordination.
- Recruit, select, and manage designers; act as primary liaison between homeowners and designers to ensure timely completion.
- Directly manage Showcase Operations and Events Manager, seasonal part-time employees, and interns.
- Partner with Business Office to develop, manage, and scale the annual budget.
- Collaborate with Development Office to drive corporate underwriting and execute fundraising strategies.
- Demonstrated executive presence managing large projects, volunteer boards, and cross-functional teams.
- Strong operations, logistics, vendor relations, and regulatory/permitting expertise.
- Proven donor cultivation and community engagement skills for fundraising and relationship development.
What We Do
San Francisco University High School is a private, independent, and coeducational college preparatory high school located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1975, the school provides a rigorous academic experience and a transformational education that empowers students through a community of diverse voices, emphasizing values of inquiry, integrity, care, agency, and interconnection to help students reach their full potential.
