About this Role:
Working closely with the VP of Advancement and the AVP of Advancement, the AVP of Development leads all aspects of Heights’ fundraising efforts and manages a team of four development professionals. (Heights’ Advancement Team includes communications, alumni and volunteer engagement, and fundraising.)
You’ll help us to achieve:
- $12 million in funds raised annually, securing contributions from corporations, foundations, government, and individuals to support the organization’s expansion.
- A sustainable fundraising infrastructure, rooted in best practices and appropriate procedures, policies, reporting, and stewardship protocols to support Heights’ growth.
- Growth in the Heights donor base with retention and stewardship of current funders and identification of new funders.
You’ll be responsible for:
- Leading a comprehensive fundraising program that supports organizational and programmatic growth.
- Inspiring and motivating a committed team of development professionals, ensuring activity is aligned to goals and fundraising data informs strategy.
- Leading advancement prospect strategy sessions, ensuring the front-line fundraising team (including VP of Advancement and President) are actively moving their prospects forward along a moves management system.
- Working collaboratively with AVP of Advancement and the full communications and engagement team to create compelling messaging and events for current and prospective donors.
- Managing a portfolio of approximately 60 prospects (individuals, foundations, and government funding sources) with the capacity to make an annual gift of $50,000 or more. Move prospects through the stages of identification, qualification, cultivation and solicitation in a strategic and efficient manner. Steward prospects as appropriate.
- Overseeing annual giving outreach efforts, stewardship reports, annual impact report, and planning and execution of donor appreciation events, and grant management.
- Oversee development data and reporting practices and workflows, optimizing the use of Salesforce (Heights’ CRM) to inform fundraising strategy.
- Providing direction, support, and leadership to the President, VP of Advancement, and Board’s Advancement Committee, engaging and involving them effectively in fundraising efforts.
About you:
- Bachelor’s degree required, Advanced degree preferred but not required. 8+ years experience in fundraising with progressive responsibility.
- Passionate about educational access for underserved communities.
- Self-starter with excellent initiative, persistence and follow-through.
- Demonstrated success in soliciting and closing gifts of significant organizational impact, as well as leading and managing a diverse team of individuals to deliver results.
- Excellent ability to think critically and strategically.
- Mastery of fundraising techniques and skills in all aspects of development, including grant management.
- Excellent written and oral communications required including strong public speaking skills.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively with a wide variety of constituencies.
- Knowledgeable and proficient in Google Suite (Email, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides) and Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word and PowerPoint).
Heights employees:
- Must meet expectations to report in-person on a schedule determined by their direct manager and/or the Vice President of the team.
- Must meet PA State background check requirements [PA Criminal, PA Child Abuse and FBI Fingerprint Check] at hire and every five years thereafter.
- Strong orientation to customer service, particularly with regard to students, donors and funders, partners and colleagues
- Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office and related applications, as well as use of general office equipment (phones, computers, copiers, etc)
- Fluency in the use of data and data systems. Maintains appropriate engagement with data entry, reporting and review.
- Must adhere to COVID safety guidelines as established by Heights and/or its partners.
- Office-based staff should be mindful of the organization’s strong recommendation that staff maintain up to date with COVID vaccination and boosters.
- Site-based staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must submit to any COVID testing or other health screenings as required by the Department of Human Services and/or the School District of Philadelphia.
- Must be able to work in a busy, often complex work environment that is generally climate controlled.
- Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds unassisted on an occasional basis.
- Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
- Must be able to stand or walk for long periods of time.
- Access to reliable transportation required