Vice President of Agency Advancement

The Vice President of Agency Advancement provides strategic leadership and vision for the organization’s fundraising, overseeing planning, execution, and long-term growth. This position nurtures current stakeholder relationships, unearths new supporters, and engages major donors and corporations. The VP leads a team of 3-6 professionals who focus on database management, marketing and communications, corporate relations, volunteers, foundations, annual giving, events, and planned giving.

The VP reports to and supports the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board of Directors in cultivating and soliciting major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and others funding sources. The VPAA is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and works closely with the CEO and senior management to provide strategic leadership to Italian Home for Children as a whole.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reach annual fundraising goals of over 2M per year through events, appeals, major donor relations, grants, and other best practices
• Hands-on development and implementation of strategy to raise funds
• Oversee comprehensive and aggressive corporate and foundations engagement plan
• Envision and execute a robust major gifts strategy
• Lead the creation and growth of a new framework for a planned giving program
• Review content, frequency, execution, and analysis of direct mail appeals
• Partner with Senior Leadership Team to deepen funder relationships and cultivate new supporters
• Evaluate use of technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) tools and AI agents
• Develop case for support language with marketing and communications expert and CEO
• Attend board of directors, development committee, and gala task force meetings and report on advancement activities
• Serve as an ambassador and spokesperson to articulate the mission to external constituents
• Educate and train board members, Management, and Development staff in donor cultivation and professional fundraising techniques
• Work with CEO to ensure board members are engaged and energized by the mission
• Collaborate with the CEO, Finance, and database manager to develop and produce regular, transparent, and efficient analytic reports for senior management and the board that synthesize the financial progress and trends of fundraising activities
• Train, manage, and mentor advancement staff
• Continually review departmental infrastructure to ensure revenue growth goals
• Effectively manage the department's day-to-day operations, budget, and income forecasts
• Oversee special events functions and staff, while critically evaluating return on investment
• Focus communications to ensure consistent messaging and branding in all print and online donor communication vehicles
• Collaborate with all other departments to create an understanding of and appreciation for the development function; foster an environment of cohesiveness and collaboration

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum five years of directly related experience, preferably in the Development department of a community based nonprofit organizations
• Minimum of three years directly stewarding major gifts
• Passion for the mission and values of Italian Home for Children
• Experience with donor and board management, engagement, and development
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing effective fundraising strategies
• Exceptional communication, influencing and closing skills; a persuasive, credible, and polished communicator, both written and verbal
• Past leadership experience representing an organization to external audiences
• Creative, independent, and strategic thinker
• Strong project and budget management skills
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office and database management, specifically in CRMs (Bloomerang preferred)
• Self-starter with a proven ability to meet and complete multiple tasks with solid deadlines
• Maintain confidentiality in all matters related to the Agency’s business, development, and fundraising practices

Italian Home for Children is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, height, weight, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We are dedicated to ensuring a fair hiring process and an equitable work environment. If you require accommodations during the application, and/or interview process, please contact hr@italianhome.org.

The expected annual base salary for this role is between $105,000-$130,000 USD, dependent on experience. This number does not reflect additional compensation-related benefits such as PTO, medical and life insurance, EAP, and the Italian Home for Children 403(b) retirement plan.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title. Employees may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Executive team members accrue 15 days of paid vacation time within one year of service. Italian Home also offers up to 5 additional personal days and 10 paid holidays per year.

Hybrid work environment at our beautiful 7-acre Jamaica Plain campus, with free parking and dedicated office space.

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options offered through Blue Cross/Blue Shield of MA. EAP, AD&D, and life insurance are offered free of charge.

403(b) plan administered by Mutual of Omaha.