Vice President, Donor Relations & Engagement

Reporting to the President & Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President, Donor Relations & Engagement leads the strategic vision and execution of a comprehensive, data-informed fundraising program that advances the mission and long-term sustainability of Howard Brown Health. This role fosters a culture of philanthropy across the organization by overseeing donor engagement strategies – including individual and major giving, foundation and corporate partnerships, and philanthropic events – while ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and performance goals. Through the integration of narrative storytelling, data insights, and tailored stewardship, this role strengthens donor relationships and deepens investment in the agency’s work. Driving cross-functional collaboration, this role leverages sector best practices and stewardship opportunities to promote scalability, innovation, and equity across the agency. Leverages industry knowledge and best practices to promote the mission and vision of Howard Brown Health as well as supports culture enhancement and management efforts.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Provides strategic vision, direction, and measurable goals for all aspects of private fundraising, including ongoing and future capital campaigns, while strengthening agency positioning to support infrastructure and programming priorities.
• Develops and executes an annual comprehensive fundraising strategy with clear accountability for outcomes, including setting annual targets, monitoring short and long-term performance metrics, managing donor pipelines, and aligning fundraising goals with the organization’s mission and strategic plan.
• Partners with the executive leadership and Board of Directors to integrate donor perspectives into strategic planning processes and key organizational decisions.
• Ensures responsible financial management within the department, including agency budget development and resource planning.
• Identifies and advocates for the resources and infrastructure needed to meet established goals and drive fundraising success.

Operating Excellence

• Oversees a comprehensive fundraising portfolio across individual, corporate, and foundation giving—developing strategies for acquisition, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across all donor segments.
• Leads the design and execution of new annual and multi-year fundraising initiatives, with an emphasis on scalable programs that can be integrated into ongoing agency operations.
• Oversees solicitation and stewardship strategies, including annual and major gifts, pledge payments, and high-net worth donor and legislative cultivation events.
• Collaborates with the Marketing and Communications department to develop and lead donor-focused communications and fundraising campaigns that align with brand strategy and fundraising priorities.
• Provides communication and updates to key philanthropic stakeholders (e.g., donors and legislators), proactively educating and informing them of organizational changes, outcomes, and impact.
• Leads capital fundraising initiatives and special campaigns, including vendor selection and end-to-end project planning and management.
• Oversees vendor relationships supporting fundraising operations, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and compliance with policies and procedures.
• Utilizes and develops donor and patient data systems to inform fundraising strategy, monitor performance, and support decision-making.
• Analyzes performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of development efforts and refine strategies accordingly.
• Supports legislators in identifying and directing discretionary funding to Howard Brown Health, partnering with Director of Policy and Advocacy to ensure alignment between legislative priorities and Organizational impact.

People and Board Engagement

• Collaborates with the President & CEO, Leadership Team, and Board members on major fundraising Priorities; provides leadership and support to volunteer fundraising committees including the Board of Directors, Vernita Gray Council, and special project committees.
• Oversees the growth and engagement of auxiliary boards, identifying prospective members and building a pipeline for long-term board involvement.
• Directs staff training and development across the development department, ensuring consistent performance standards, skill-building, and a shared understanding of philanthropic strategy.
• Supervises, motivates, and supports direct reports by setting clear expectations, providing ongoing feedback, and communicating how contributions connect to departmental and organizational goals.
• Champions agencywide culture-building initiatives, with a focus on operational excellence and mission alignment across all sites and teams.
• Ensures timely and relevant process improvement assessment and action planning in alignment with organizational goals.
• Other duties as assigned and/or required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning in business administration, entrepreneurship, non-profit management, public relations or related discipline required. Graduate degree in the same preferred.
• Minimum ten (10) years’ professional experience focused on fundraising and development in progressively responsible leadership positions required. Experience in healthcare, FQHC and/or non-profit preferred.

Experience Preferences:

• Demonstrated record of meeting or exceeding measurable fundraising goals in a fast-paced nonprofit environment preferred.
• Experience in managing all aspects of fundraising including high net worth individuals, foundation and corporate relations, and developing contact management strategies preferred.
• Utilized cross functional business processes to build collaboration and demonstrate results – including aligning systems and resources to forecast revenue and build and meet budgets targets preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES (K/S/A)

• Advanced knowledge of fundraising principles and best practices
• Ability to demonstrate ethical and compliant practice in all bodies of work
• Ability to make formal and effective oral presentations
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and effective reports, letter, and other documents
• Ability to evaluate procedures and issues and develop strategies and effective solutions
• Knowledge of cash-flow management and projections
• Ability to plan, organize, and accomplish organizational goals and objectives
• Ability to handle and maintain highly confidential information with professional maturity
• Functional and proficient knowledge of various technologies including, but not limited to MS Suite and finance software platforms including Blackbaud, Financial Edge and Power Plan
• Effective communication competencies including written, verbal and listening
• Strong knowledge of research approaches and the ability to apply relevant approach toward desired outcome(s)
• Strong problem-solving acumen and the ability to engage for supervisory support when appropriate
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding and acceptance of equity, inclusion and diversity concepts, and that they are broader than just race, ethnicity, and gender
• Ability to work affirmatively with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and HIV positive patients

ADA SPECIFICATIONS

• Requires ability to speak audibly and listen actively.
• Requires ability to use computers, telephones and other office equipment.
• Requires ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• May require occasional bending and lifting up to 25 pounds.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees at Howard Brown are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, age, genetic information, FMLA status, complaints about discrimination, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state or local statutes.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.