It's a great feeling to work for a company that does so much good for others around the world!

Academic Req: Required - Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public relations, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, social work, or related field.

                               

Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), preferred.

Experience: Required -  8 -10 years proven successful fundraising experience; soliciting and closing large six-figure donor gifts, managing challenge grants/campaigns, strong fundraising and large donor base cultivation background and development activities.

We are looking for a VP of Development who is ready to own the role, be tactical and donor-focused and manage a small team. We are looking for a player-coach who can build and execute a fundraising strategy, equip the team, and set up the President to make transformational asks. An ideal candidate will roll up their sleeves, enter data in Salesforce, travel globally and locally, and connect with everyone, from major donors to field staff. Please be comfortable and out-side-the-box-thinking with major donor and campaign work, and ready to prove you can work with integrity, grit, and heart. We ask that you immediately build a plan, work the plan, and report on it weekly. If you’re ready to charge the hill with us, we’re ready to meet you. 

Summary: The Vice-President of Development is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all CERI’s fundraising activities, including major gifts, sponsorship program, annual fund, planned giving, special events, and capital campaigns within the U.S. and across the globe. This individual will work closely with the CERI President managing the organization’s broader external relations, securing and cultivating resources to expand CERI’s impact, build strong relationships with individuals, foundations, churches, and other key stakeholders.

The Vice-President of Development should possess a unique blend of energy, leadership, strategic thinking, and marketing expertise, along with a genuine passion for advancing the mission of the organization.

The Vice-President of Development must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, proficiency in donor management software and fundraising platform, ability to work in a fast paced, and dynamic environment.

Critical Action Items:

Strategic Fundraising and Planning:

1. Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with CERI's organizational goals, financial needs, and vision for growth.

2 Work closely with the President to create and execute annual and multi-year fundraising strategies.

3. Innovate new approaches to donor engagement and stewardship, using data-driven insights to optimize performance.

Major Gifts and Campaigns:

1. Manage a portfolio of high-potential donors and prospects, cultivating relationships to secure six figure gifts and above.

2. Lead major gift efforts, building relationships with high-level donors and identifying opportunities for growth.

3. Oversee the execution of successful fundraising campaigns, including direct mail, and online giving.

4. Develop and manage planned giving programs to secure legacy gifts.

Donor Relations:

1. Cultivate, steward, and grow relationships with individual donors, churches, businesses, corporate partners, and foundations.

2. Implement customized solicitation strategies to align the interests of donors with CERI’s objectives, ensuring sustainable funding growth.

3. Lead efforts to enhance donor recognition and engagement, ensuring a meaningful experience for all stakeholders.

Grant Writing and Management:

1. Oversee research, identification, and pursuit of grant opportunities to diversify and enhance CERI’s funding sources.

2. Lead efforts to develop compelling grant proposals and ensure effective management of secured grants.

Event Planning:

1. Guide the planning and execution of fundraising events, ensuring the effective tracking of event metrics and evaluation of their impact.

2. Develop innovative strategies to increase CERI branding and visibility and enhance donor engagement.

Budget and Resource Management:

1. Develop and manage the development’s budget, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to meet fundraising goals, while staying within budget.

2. Regularly assess fundraising performance, identifying opportunities to optimize resource use and impact.

Field Connection:

1. Maintain real-time situational knowledge of the field by traveling at least 3 countries per year, with an in-person visit to each CERI country once every 2 years.

2. While visiting countries, train teams on local fundraising.

3. Leads vision and cultivation trips, as needed.

Essential Functions:

1. The Vice-President of Development represents CERI in such a way as to uphold the positive image of the organization to the public and private sectors.

2. Strategizes and executes short- and long-term fundraising goals to secure new funds as well as unrestricted, restricted and planned gift support, to include child sponsorships.

3. Works closely with the CERI staff in designing and implementing special events.

4. Develop materials such as gift proposals, donor reports, memos, and other communications and marketing materials/collateral, as appropriate.

5. Provide updates to the President of all existing and new appeal communications, communication material and goals prior to delivery, to ensure it is in line with agency budget needs and branding requirements.

6. Provide ongoing situational awareness and written reports to President of status of financial goals and outputs for board book, as required.

7. Monitors and is responsible for the sponsorship program in collaboration with the VP of Operations.

8. Maintains strong CERI presence in Austin and surrounding communities with approximately 90% of work week in community.

9. Serves on internal and external committees as assigned by the President.

Measurable Deliverables:

1. Metrics and Reporting implementing the Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) methodology to set, track, and evaluate the success of business development and fundraising efforts – as outlined in the agency annual budget:

• Total Fundraising Revenue
• Increase donor Retention Rate by 20% annually
• Major Gifts Secured
• Planned/Estate Giving Secured
• Grant Success Rate
• New Donor Acquisition
• New Sponsor Acquisition
• Event Return on Investment and Participation Rates
• Budget Adherence
• Online Fundraising Conversion Rates

2. Successful fundraising campaign plans that align with agency target projections according to budget.

3. Submit quarterly fundraising and donor trending reports to the CERI President.

4. Prepare and submit quarterly fundraising and development board book materials within the allotted timeframe.

5. Training in-country team members

Other Responsibilities:

1. Ability to travel internationally, as required.

2. Attends all mandated training and conferences.

3. Participate in local and/or state associations to promote organizational brand.

4. Collaborative Leadership: Strong leadership skills with the ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive work culture, effectively managing cross-functional teams while promoting professional development.

5. Exceptional Communication Skills: Superior verbal and written communication abilities, with the capacity to clearly convey concepts, engage stakeholders, and inspire action to include editing skills, including grammar and punctuation.

6. Cultural Competency: Experience working across diverse cultures and backgrounds, with a passion for empowering global communities

7. Demonstrated experience overseeing complex projects through to success, meeting financial and engagement goals.

8. Highly collaborative, organized, detail-oriented, creative, and inquisitive, able to work in a fast and dynamic environment with many stakeholders.

9. Ability and willingness to work independently and as part of a team.

10. Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced team environment while maintaining multiple assignments and adapting to changing priorities.

11. Experience writing clear, logical, and persuasive responses on various technical and non-technical topics.

12. Proficiency in software tools including Salesforce, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.

13. Other job duties as assigned.

Credentials, Skills and Abilities:

1. Possess a valid Texas drivers’ license, work eligibility status and have a good driving record.

2. Provide proof of work eligibility status upon request.

3. Must pass all pre-employment background checks including: Criminal History, driving check and pass annual background checks.

4. Pass a pre-employment drug screen and random drug screen throughout employment.

5. Demonstrate the ability to:

• Work independently and collectively with senior leadership to maximize the stewardship opportunities.
• Work some evenings and weekends as needed, primarily during special events.
• Practice ethical behavior in and outside the work environment.
• Employ preventive and de-escalation techniques in crisis intervention.
• Display a professional appearance and decorum that upholds the core values and principles of CERI.
• Function compatibly and participate constructively in a team environment and always maintain professional composure
• Demonstrate excellent people skills, including the ability to work closely and confidentially with all individuals.
• Demonstrate a team player attitude and always exhibit a positive spirit.  Works in collaboration with entire CERI staff to foster a positive work environment that creates a collective team atmosphere.
• Willingness to attend additional training/seminars on estate planning, etc.
• Plan, organize, and prioritize tasks to work efficiently without intensive supervision both independently and as a member of the leadership team.
• Administer first aid and CPR if necessary.

English (United States)

If you like to work with people that believe they can make a difference in the world, this is the company for you!

EEO Statement

In accordance with Title VII  of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

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