Vice President Development & Communications

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Job description

Job Details

Job Location
Oakland Adoption Center - Oakland, CA

The Vice President of Development & Communications will develop the expansion of the strategy and execution of fundraising activities for the East Bay SPCA. This will be to adequately provide sustainable funds and community support to position the East Bay SPCA as a leader in animal welfare. The Vice President is responsible for cultivating, soliciting and stewardship of relationships with outside donors, corporations and foundations that provide potential grants and opportunities for the organization. The Vice President will serve as the primary driver for internal processes and external moves that will ensure a consistent and deliberate focus on those individuals and organizations whose philanthropy will have a significant impact on the East Bay SPCA. This position will foster an environment of philanthropy with the organization and oversees all external communications. The Vice President manages a development and marketing staff of six (Development Manager, Marketing & Communications Manager, Marketing Specialist, Events Manager, Database Manager and Database Coordinator) and serves on the senior leadership team for the development and execution of the strategic plan and other mission-related duties with the President and Board of Directors.

Key metrics for success will include donor engagement through in-person contacts and portfolio development and revenue.

• Designs, implements and evaluates development budgets (income and expense) and activities which support organizational growth and fiscal soundness; combines development resources to achieve the greatest return on investment.
• Development and implement a comprehensive and actionable development strategy and develop a strategy for major gifts, planned giving, and individual/foundation plans. Works to develop a new pipeline of donors.
• Manages development & marketing staff; the selection, integration and growth of department to ensure employee productivity and satisfaction.
• Crafts and implements development plan to attract, retain and motivate resources for the organizational, both financially and in-kind.
• Solicits contribution, cultivates and stewards donors on behalf of the organization through corporate relationship and a major gift portfolio 150 +/-; supports development of foundation and corporate proposals and solicitation materials.
• Oversees design, development and maintenance of Constituent Relationship Management system (Raiser's Edge) to deploy communication strategies, cultivation movement and acknowledgement programs.
• Develops, oversees and evaluates organizational marketing strategy in partnership with Marketing Manager or an outside public relations firm; creates a balanced mix of solicitation methods tailored to the needs of the organization, including campaigns, events, direct mail, online giving, possible giving strategies and planned giving.
• Provides vital input around strategic and operational planning to leadership team and Board.
• Work closely with the Board, President and staff to identify major donors, eligible foundations and corporate sponsors, Staffs the President and other leaders as well as key volunteer leaders during prospect visits.
• Regularly communicate with individual donors and track year-over-year outcomes related to new and legacy donors.
• Work with Vice President of Finance to develop fund development portion of the annual budget.
• Design and implement customized cultivation strategies for each donor that will serve as a foundational communication and marketing plan for each individual within the portfolio.
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to coordinate cultivation events and other activities for donors/prospective donors.
• Move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure. Maintain a full and flexible calendar to ensure timely solicitations and meetings.
• Assures accountability with fundraising standards and practices for organizational resources.
• Ensure community understanding of the East Bay SPCA's brand which includes a clear understanding of the organization's mission. Increase awareness and visibility of the organization's programs through marketing, communications, public relations, media relations, social media and events. Develop campaigns/initiatives that build donor engagement, Ensure brand coordination of in-person, digital, exhibits, print, web and promotional materials.
• Manage the annual "Growl, Meow & Wine" fundraising event.
• Develop a roust plan and execution of the organization's 150th anniversary campaign in 2024.
• Other duties as assigned or delegated.

Qualifications

• Seven to 10-plus years of significant nonprofit fundraising experience and proven track record of raising in excess of $5 million annually.
• Five-plus years of experience in major donor cultivation and solicitation. Proven track record of building donor relationships and closing gifts in five- six- and seven-figure range.
• A proven track record of maintaining effective relationships with donors and determining the optimal scenario for successful gift solicitation.
• Experience working with volunteer fundraisers to successfully close major gifts among their networks.
• Ability to establish and monitor priorities, maintain flexibility and meet deadlines with limited direct supervision.
• Exceptionally strong strategic thinking, analytical and prospect research skills, and goal orientation are essential.
• Proven track record of managing, motivating and developing the full potential of a talented development staff.
• Outstanding stewardship and relationship management skills with meticulous follow-through and excellent presentation skills while exercising creativity, Demonstrated donor recognition strategies.
• Successful experience in making cold calls as well as developing cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Works well under pressure in a demanding, fast paced work environment. Ability to operate with purpose, urgency and accuracy.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with both internal and external constituencies, as well as written and verbal required. Adept at crafting compelling and high-quality proposals, reports, solicitation letters and donor correspondence.
• Proven experience in telling the story of an organization and its effectiveness. Excels at articulating organization goals, outcomes, objectives, and evaluation strategies to donors.
• Leadership skills; proven results in collaboration and participation with internal and outside stakeholders.
• Ability to engage and motivate groups of diverse individuals.
• Solid comprehension of, and ability to articulate the East Bay SPCA's programming, mission, goals and accomplishments.
• Experience with Planned Giving a plus.
• Capital campaign experience is a plus.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule including evenings and occasional weekends.
• Excellent research skills.
• Proven track record in grant and/or proposal writing.
• Experience working in a recognized donor database system.
• Passion for and experience working directly with under-served, diverse communities a plus.

Personal Characteristics

• Sensitivity and a strong commitment to the mission of the East Bay SPCA.
• Demonstrates diplomacy, tact and discretion.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing efficiencies, and guiding staff and systems.
• Proven results in collaboration and participation with internal external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully and positively in a culturally and ethically diverse community. Values diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Ability to work well under pressure to adapt easily to changing situations and priorities. Good judgement, flexibility and consensus building skills.
• Self-starter with ability to quickly create a positive network of relationships.
• Must be highly organized and demonstrate excellent attention to details while pursuing overall goals.
• Extremely proactive approach to work. Someone that is solutions oriented.
• A good listener and strategist. Comfortable receiving input from many sources and able to analyze and formulate disparate information to a sound, well-organized plan.
• A hard worker with a high energy level. A 'doer' with a willingness to work hands-on in developing and executing a variety of marketing and communications objectives.
• High ethical standards for self and staff.
• Inspirational, creative, visionary and compassionate.
• Positive daily work attitude on a consistent basis.

Education

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Compensation

• An attractive compensation package will be offered based upon background and experience.