Organizational Profile

Stern Grove Festival is the longest-running nonprofit music festival in the country. Since 1938, this cherished summer tradition has brought Bay Area communities together for world-class performances in the stunning outdoor amphitheater of Sigmund Stern Grove, nestled on the city’s west side. Last year, the Festival welcomed over 105,000 attendees to its iconic concert series, which has featured legendary artists like Chaka Khan, The Flaming Lips, Diana Ross, Bob Moses, Girl Talk, Ziggy Marley, Herbie Hancock, and many more.

As a cultural cornerstone of the Bay Area, Stern Grove Festival remains committed to making music accessible to all while celebrating artistic excellence and community connection. 

 

Position Description

The Donor Relations and Events Manager supports activities to meet fundraising goals for Stern Grove Festival. Reporting to the Director of Development and working alongside the Development Operations Coordinator, this role is pivotal in overseeing donor relations, event management, and the execution of fundraising campaigns throughout the festival season. The Manager works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to deliver exceptional donor experiences.

• Donor Table Experience & Hospitality (Primary Focus)
  • Lead execution of donor table and VIP hospitality experiences during each concert.
  • Serve as the primary on-site contact for table donors and VIP guests.
  • Coordinate table placement, signage, credentials, parking access, and hospitality details in partnership with internal teams.
  • Troubleshoot guest needs in real time and ensure a welcoming, polished donor experience.
  • Oversee volunteer or support staff assigned to donor areas on concert days.

• Donor Stewardship & Communication
  • Serve as a key point of contact for table donors throughout the season.
  • Manage benefit fulfillment including ticketing, parking passes, credentials, and event communications.
  • Support donor acknowledgments and stewardship touchpoints.
  • Maintain accurate donor records in the CRM in collaboration with Development Operations.

• Event Support
  • Support planning and execution of select development-related events
  • Assist with day-of logistics for development activations and donor-facing moments.

• Coordination & Collaboration
  • Work closely with Development, Operations, Marketing, and Volunteer teams to ensure seamless delivery of donor benefits.
  • Provide post-show reporting and feedback to continuously improve the donor experience.

 

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of experience in nonprofit development, live event production, hospitality, donor services, or customer-facing operations (or equivalent transferable experience).
• Proven ability to manage logistics and execute high-quality guest or VIP experiences.
• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail, especially in managing guest lists, credentials, seating, and benefit fulfillment.
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, live event environments and solve problems calmly and professionally in real time.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to engage confidently and warmly with donors, sponsors, board members, and community stakeholders.
• Experience working with CRMs, ticketing platforms, or donor databases preferred.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace.
• Availability to work all required concert dates during the summer season.
• A commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and respect.

 

Physical Requirements

• Able to lift/carry 40lbs
• Able to experience periods of extended standing, employees must be able to remain on their feet in a stationary position.
• Able to walk and climb considerable distances including on the hillside during the course of a work day.
• Grasp, lift, carry, push and pull heavy objects such as barricades, fencing, and carts.
• Stooping, crouching and kneeling is needed to place signage throughout the Grove.
• Listening and speaking ability is required. In a typical work day the employee will be interacting with large groups of people and they must have the ability to hear and clearly express their ideas with spoken words.

We value a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives. If you meet many of the qualifications listed and are passionate about Stern Grove Festival’s mission, we encourage you to apply.

 

 

Locations - Hybrid Role

• SGFA Office at Fort Mason: 2 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94123
• Sigmund Stern Grove, 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco
• Work from Home: Video conferences as needed

 

Work Period and Hours

• Staff will need to be able to work all concerts:
  • Concerts: Sundays from June 14 - August 16 + Saturday, August 15
  • Orientations:
    • May 17 (virtual)
    • May 31 (on-site at Stern Grove)
    • June 7 (on-site at Stern Grove)

Hours: Employee will average 32 - 45 hours per week from March 23 - September 4

 

Compensation

Starting at $40 per hour and commensurate with experience. Paid semi-monthly.

 

EEO Statement

SGFA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, SGFA complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation and training. SGFA expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

 

How to Apply:

https://www.sterngrove.org/jobs

 

Email:

If you have any questions, please email jobs@sterngrove.org