Vice President, Development

About the position: (This is not a 100% remote position/ MANDATORY IN OFFICE: Tuesday & Wednesday)

The Vice President of Development directs First Book’s philanthropy program for individuals and foundations. This position is responsible for leading the organization’s efforts to meet established financial goals and for developing new fundraising relationships, including with major donor audiences and institutions who serve them. This person will also design and implement a robust calendar of fundraising campaigns across multiple channels – direct mail, email, social, and peer-to-peer. The Vice President of Development leads a talented team of two full-time and one part-time staff and works closely with First Book’s entire leadership team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Meet/exceed revenue targets (>$3M annually) in a competitive fundraising environment—including creating new fundraising programs and/or reinvigorating existing programs.
• Develop a comprehensive development strategy to expand individual and family foundation giving, with a special emphasis on major gifts.
• Grow fundraising efforts focused on planned giving, donations of stocks and appreciated securities, and donor-advised funds.
• Lead digital fundraising efforts including via social media, search, and other online channels.
• Plan and oversee First Book’s multi-channel calendar of fundraising campaigns in collaboration with the Marketing Communications team.
• Support First Book’s Executive Team as the Scaling Plan funding strategy is developed and executed.
• Serve as the business owner for the donation infrastructure, including the donor database and online giving site, supported by First Book’s IT team.
• Manage the members (3) of the Development team, in addition to contracted agencies and consultants, where applicable.

Education and/or Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years’ work experience in a senior level fundraising position, using donor management systems (preferably a Salesforce environment).
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• A proven track record of fundraising across multiple channels and established relationships with foundations (preferably those committed to education).

A proven track record of fundraising across multiple channels and established relationships with foundations (preferably those committed to education).

Experience with donor management systems and/or prior work with Salesforce a plus.

Those who thrive at First Book tend to possess these qualities:

• An entrepreneurial spirit is core to First Book’s DNA. Must be a tenacious self-starter.
• A passion for First Book’s mission and vision for the future.
• Strong employee and team management skills. Must work well with cross-functional teams and be able to multi-task with ease.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Must enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
• A sense of humor. This one is required