Receptionist at San Diego Foundation

At San Diego Foundation (SDF), we are committed to inspiring enduring philanthropy and enabling community solutions to improve the quality of life throughout our region. Our teams work collaboratively to create a welcoming, professional, and service-oriented environment for staff, donors, partners, tenants, and community members.

The part-time Receptionist serves as a key member of SDF’s front desk operations and helps create a positive first impression for everyone entering our Liberty Station headquarters. This position is responsible for providing a professional and welcoming reception experience while supporting essential administrative, facilities, and gift-processing functions.

The Receptionist greets and directs visitors, manages incoming calls, supports mail and package distribution, and processes incoming checks in accordance with established procedures. This role also helps maintain the organization and readiness of the reception area and supports day-to-day building operations as needed.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, dependable, and service-driven, with strong communication and organizational skills. This position requires sound judgment, professionalism, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while providing a consistent and welcoming experience for guests and staff.

This is an on-site position at SDF’s Liberty Station headquarters in San Diego.

Note: This is a part-time, as-needed position with no guaranteed number of hours. Scheduling will be based on organizational coverage needs and may occur Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Essential Responsibilities

Front Desk & Customer Service

• Provide best-in-class customer service to guests, tenants, and internal staff, ensuring a positive and professional image of San Diego Foundation.
• Promptly and professionally greet visitors, direct them to conference rooms, and notify appropriate staff of arrivals.
• Answer and manage a multi-line telephone system, including announcing and transferring calls and taking accurate messages as needed.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional appearance of the reception area and main lobby.
• Provide accurate data entry and administrative support as needed.

Gift & Payment Processing Support

• Open and distribute incoming mail daily, including scanning and routing urgent items to appropriate staff.
• Log all incoming mailed and hand-delivered checks accurately and in a timely manner.
• Support adherence to payment processing policies, internal controls, and documentation standards.
• Serve as an essential team member in gift and payment processing operations.

Facilities Coordination & Administrative Support

• Establish and enforce expectations for SDF guests utilizing conference room space and audiovisual equipment, in accordance with the SDF Conference Room Policy.
• Ensure high-quality, consistent work across all responsibilities and complete multiple assigned tasks within specified timeframes.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of experience in reception and administrative work within a fast-paced, highly professional business environment; nonprofit experience preferred.
• Commitment to the mission of San Diego Foundation to inspire enduring philanthropy and enable community solutions that improve quality of life in our region.
• Strong customer service orientation with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Professional attitude, demeanor, and appearance.
• Experience working with a multi-line phone system.
• Ability to interact effectively with a wide range of individuals, including community professionals, nonprofit leaders, donors, and vendors.
• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize effectively, and follow direction.
• Ability to develop, use, and maintain administrative systems and processes.
• Demonstrated initiative to recognize, anticipate, and resolve issues.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound judgment and logical decision-making abilities.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and database entry and management; ability to learn new applications quickly.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.

Preferred:

• Experience working in a foundation or other nonprofit organization.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• On-site work environment based in Liberty Station, San Diego.
• Fast-paced setting with multiple priorities and frequent interruptions.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, or drive for extended periods, with or without accommodation.
• Ability to view and use a computer screen for extended periods.
• Ability to enter and retrieve information using a keyboard or similar tools.
• Ability to communicate by phone or other methods, with or without accommodation.
• Ability to remain seated or standing for extended periods.
• Ability to lift or move items up to 20 pounds or request assistance as needed.

Benefits

• Hourly, Nonexempt, Part-Time; $20.00-$25.00 per hour (San Diego Foundation is committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. Actual offers will be reflective of qualifications, skills and experience, internal equity, alignment with market data, among other relevant factors)

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.