SUMMARY

Reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Vice President of Advancement is responsible developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies to support the organization’s goals and objectives. This position will lead and oversee all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, marketing, community engagement and advancement initiatives. The ideal candidate is deeply passionate about improving our organizational outcomes and brings expertise to the position to enhance our fundraising through a variety of strategies. They have excellent communication skills, business acumen, data analytics skills, superior consultative skills, and problem solving skills. They have the ability to collaborate with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders and are able to cross cultural boundaries to build and maintain strong working relationships for organizational success. This position works with minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and interactive skills and nurtures and exemplifies a culture of inclusion, operational excellence, integrity, compassion, teamwork, and a desire to achieve the company mission and objectives. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement strategic fundraising plans to achieve annual revenue targets and long-term financial sustainability.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, and other key stakeholders to secure philanthropic support.
• Lead capital campaigns, annual giving campaigns, and other fundraising initiatives, including prospect research, solicitation strategies, and donor recognition.
• Provide visionary leadership and direction to the advancement team, including hiring, training, and performance management.
• Collaborate with leadership, board members, volunteers, and staff to integrate fundraising efforts with organizational priorities and programs.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships and collaborations to expand fundraising opportunities and reach new donor segments.
• Develop and manage the advancement budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and alignment with fundraising goals.
• Oversee the development of communication and marketing materials to support fundraising efforts, including appeals, newsletters, and impact reports.
• Utilize fundraising data and analytics to track performance, evaluate ROI, and make data-driven decisions to optimize fundraising strategies.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and best practices governing fundraising activities and donor relationships.
• Some travel required 

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Human Services, Social Work, Education, Business or other related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Five (5) plus years of progressive professional experience in fundraising, development, or advancement roles, preferably in a non-profit organization.
• Three (3) plus years of experience in a senior leadership role. 
• Proved track record of successfully leading fundraising campaigns and achieving revenue targets for organizations with a $10MM - $15MM budget preferred.
• Strong strategic planning and organizational skills, with the ability to set priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and effectively engage diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing and mentoring a team of fundraising professionals.
• Demonstrated success in budget oversight and financial management
• Knowledge of fundraising best practices, trends, and emerging technologies.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and fundraising software, Blackbaud Razor’s Edge NXT preferred.
• Commitment to the organization's mission and values.
• Ability to perform in both a strategic and tactical manner
• Other duties as assigned

SKILLS REQUIREMENT

• Superior leadership, critical thinking, conflict-management, decision-making, interpersonal and strategic thinking skills
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work through tough issues quickly and effectively, diagnose problems and foresee potential issues
• Must be extremely organized, self-motivated, able to work on multiple priorities both independently and with a team
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills
• Must possess outstanding organizational, technical, analytical, and project management skills with a strong business operations focus
• Demonstrated computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and experience with Google Suite, Zoom and other virtual meeting platforms
• A strong self-starter, pragmatic, enthusiastic toward development and creation of new initiatives and able to drive organizational change and build consensus
• An excellent communicator, able to listen for understanding and speak with confidence, diplomacy, and tact
• Culturally competent and experienced working with diverse populations and perspectives
• Ability to work a flexible schedule

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to handle, feel and keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, or bend. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position is located within the Charlotte Mecklenburg area. Regular and satisfactory attendance and punctuality are required. Regular and satisfactory performance including meeting all process deadlines and stated deliverables is required.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Criminal background check and pre-employment drug test required. Financial credit check and driving record check required, if applicable.