Associate Vice President, Development

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

Heights offers a full benefits package designed to support employee wellness. This includes: 

• Generous medical, dental & vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents, which cover 90% of costs for employee coverage
• Paid time off including 17 personal days, 6 sick days, 12 federal holidays and 2 floating holidays, and two (2) week-long office closures, one at the end of the calendar year and another in spring. 
• Twelve (12) weeks of paid parental leave to support new parents 
• Provision of a technology stipend to offset internet and cell phone costs 
• Short and long-term disability coverage
• Monthly professional development days and resources for targeted professional development opportunities 
• 401(K)-retirement savings plan with an employer contribution of  5% of annual salary