San Francisco Unicorns: Head of Foundation

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4374067607/

The Unicorns Sport Foundation is committed to using cricket as a platform to expand access, drive equity, and create meaningful opportunity for youth across the Bay Area and beyond. The Foundation’s strategy and programming are guided by five core principles:

• Inclusivity

• Community First

• Accountability and Transparency

• Empowerment

• Legacy and Sustainability

The Foundation delivers its mission through three strategic pillars:

• Bridging the gender gap

• Access and equity

• Grassroots pathways and infrastructure

Role Description

The Head of Foundation is responsible for establishing, leading, and scaling the Unicorns Sport Foundation to deliver meaningful, measurable community impact through cricket and sport. This role is accountable for translating the Foundation’s Strategic Framework for Inclusive Impact Through Sport into action by building the Foundation’s operating model, fundraising engine, governance capability, programs, and partnerships. The Head of Foundation will foster a strong culture of philanthropy, accountability, and community-first delivery, while positioning the Foundation for long-term sustainability and growth

Key Responsibilities 

Foundation Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and oversee all aspects of the Unicorns Sport Foundation, including strategy, operations, governance, fundraising, programs, and partnerships.
• Develop and execute a rolling 12-month Foundation strategy and operating plan aligned to the Foundation’s long-term vision and impact targets.
• Establish a strong organizational culture that connects philanthropy, social impact, and the Unicorns brand narrative.
• Serve as the primary executive lead for the Foundation with the USF Board, Committees, and key stakeholders.
• Act as the primary connector between the Unicorns Sport Foundation and the San Francisco Unicorns, integrating Foundation programs, fundraising, and storytelling into club activities, matchdays, players, and commercial partnerships where appropriate.

Fundraising & Revenue Generation

• Design and implement a sustainable fundraising strategy, with emphasis on: Major gifts and individual donors, corporate partnerships and CSR-aligned sponsorships, Trusts, foundations, and philanthropic grants and events and community-based fundraising initiatives
• Build and manage a donor and partner pipeline, including prospecting, stewardship, solicitation, and renewal.
• Develop compelling cases for support and partner value propositions aligned to Foundation pillars.
• Ensure best-practice donor stewardship, reporting, and impact communication.

Program Design, Delivery & Impact

• Lead the design, launch, and oversight of flagship Foundation programs aligned to the three strategic pillars.
• Lead the evaluation and selection of third-party programs and delivery partners, determining where the Foundation should partner, fund, or co-design initiatives to advance the three strategic pillars.
• Work with community partners, schools, clubs, and local authorities to co-design inclusive programs. •
• Oversee pilot programs, budgets, timelines, and KPIs, ensuring programs deliver measurable outcomes.
• Establish and maintain an impact measurement and evaluation framework, including annual impact reporting.

Partnerships & Relationships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, corporate partners, community organizations, government bodies, and sporting stakeholders.
• Identify and secure strategic partnerships that scale impact and extend the Foundation’s reach.
• Represent the Foundation externally at events, meetings, and public forums.
• Collaborate closely with the San Francisco Unicorns commercial, marketing, and community teams to ensure alignment.

Governance, Compliance & Board Support

• Support the USF Board through effective planning, reporting, and governance processes.
• Prepare board materials, dashboards, and impact reports for regular meetings.
• Ensure compliance with all governance, financial, child safeguarding, and reporting requirements. •
• Establish effective committee structures, policies, and operating rhythms.

Brand, Marketing & Communications

• Lead the development of the Foundation’s positioning, narrative, and messaging.
• Oversee marketing and communications strategies for fundraising, programs, and impact storytelling.
• Coordinate with Unicorns marketing and communications teams to amplify Foundation initiatives.
• Ensure the Foundation maintains a strong, credible, and transparent public presence.

Operations & Infrastructure

• Build and maintain Foundation systems, processes, and playbooks, including: Budgeting and financial reporting frameworks, CRM and donor management systems and Internal workflows and documentation
• Manage vendors, consultants, and external delivery partners.
• Establish a sustainable operating cadence that supports scale and long-term success.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, lead, and manage the Foundation team as it grows.
• Set clear goals, KPIs, and accountability structures for staff and contractors.
• Foster professional development and a high-performance, values-led culture.

Required Experience & Capabilities:

• Demonstrated leadership experience building, scaling, or managing a foundation, social impact organization, or philanthropic initiative
• Deep understanding of fundraising strategy, donor cultivation and stewardship, and partnership lifecycle management.
• Proven track record designing and delivering social impact programs with clear objectives and measurable outcomes.
• Experience engaging effectively with boards, advisory committees, and C-suite stakeholders.
• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to manage diverse stakeholders across corporate, nonprofit, and community environments.
• Strong organizational leadership, financial oversight, and strategic planning capabilities.
• In-depth knowledge of the Bay Area cricket ecosystem, including clubs, schools, leagues, and key community stakeholders.
• Experience within sport, community development, or youth-focused organizations.
• Experience with corporate partnerships, events, and CSR-led activations. Familiarity with impact measurement frameworks and reporting.

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree in business, commerce, marketing, social impact, public policy, or a related field; or comparable hands on professional experience.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Demonstrated commitment to child safety, safeguarding practices, and ethical leadership.