Senior VP of Development

Position: Senior VP of Development

Type: Full Time – Exempt

Salary Range: $160,000–$170,000 annually

Location: Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area 1333 Broadway, Suite 200 Oakland, CA, 94612

Summary

At Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, we grant life changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. The Sr. Vice President of Development represents the organization internally and externally, exercises independent judgment and discretion, and partners with and advises the CEO on issues related to fundraising. The Sr. VPD is an entrepreneurial leader willing to pursue new and innovative strategies to ensure our mission to grant every eligible child's wish is realized. Qualified candidates will have a proven history of communicating a clearly articulated case for support, while identifying, cultivating, and closing large gifts and sponsorships. The Sr. VPD acts as a representative and ambassador to increase revenue, promote positive relationships, and develop strong resource partnerships for the benefit of the organization. The Sr. VPD must exhibit astute people management skills and lead a team of dedicated fundraising professionals to reach their full potential. This full-time, exempt position works on a hybrid schedule with required in office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Optional remote remainder of week–office and resources are available to staff at any time.

Responsibilities

Fundraising

• Design and implement a comprehensive development plan and fundraising program focusing on the optimal combination of individual and corporate giving, including annual/mid-level/major/planned gifts, workplace giving, corporate philanthropy, and special events.
• Accountable for overall development revenue goals, including playing a key leadership role in our $10 + mil fundraising campaign and the achievement of gala gross revenue target of $1,000,000+; revenue forecast updated annually. overall development revenue goals including playing a key leadership role in our $10 + mil fundraising campaign
• Oversee and continue to refine the reporting, benchmarking, and evaluation systems so that the CEO, leadership, and team have timely information and key metrics to measure progress.
• Actively seek out and develop new opportunities for revenue generation and strategic partnerships.
• Identify, develop and maintain long-term relationships with major donors, foundations, corporate contributors, and other key stakeholders.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit personally, and prepare CEO and Board members to solicit major gifts/sponsorships.
• Oversee and build out Wish It Forward, our alumni outreach program for wish kids and their families to get further involved in all facets of our mission.
• Accurately forecast, develop, and manage budgets for expected revenue & expenses from all fundraising activities.
• Collaborate with the CEO and board members to manage and encourage board member Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and to leverage members' networks and experience.

Leadership & Staff Management

• Lead the development department to function as a cohesive team focused on achieving common and individual goals to meet the needs of the chapter.
• Attract, develop, coach, and retain high-performance team members, supervise development team, empowering them to elevate their level of responsibility, span of control, and performance.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy and collaboration among the various departments within the organization.
• Collaborate with fundraising staff and volunteers to develop systems to ensure consistent, high-quality project management.
• Provide leadership in development of inter-team communication and cohesiveness, sustaining culture and supporting staff during organizational growth.
• Identify and communicate to chapter leadership all potential opportunities and/or relationships that will increase funds and grant wishes.
• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Identify challenges and recommend solutions, balance competing priorities and work collaboratively with colleagues.
• Advise the CEO and staff of current resources, trends, obstacles, and developments in revenue generation and donor relations.
• Adhere to all Make-A-Wish America performance standards and internal controls, policies and procedures.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher required.
• 10+ years of diversified fundraising experience in a nonprofit environment, including special events, capital campaigns, major gifts, annual gifts, direct mail, alumni programs, and corporate philanthropy. Working knowledge of planned gifts
• Proven history in identifying, cultivating/stewarding, soliciting, and closing major gifts and corporate sponsorships. Proven ability to close six figure gifts
• 5+ years of leading revenue-generating teams with direct supervision of staff
• Experience developing and executing a relationship based fundraising program with an emphasis on gifts over $25K to include, but not limited to, an understanding of DAF, CRT and CLT
• Proven team leadership and ability to work collaboratively to ensure strong departmental and chapter structure, as well as commitment to enhancing and maintaining Development systems
• Adherence to deadlines, strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail
• Proven career history that shows stability with an organization and a demonstrated ability to develop, nurture, and build relationships
• A passion for and commitment to the work of Make-A-Wish
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to situational changes
• Experience working with CRM databases, Salesforce (preferred)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Chapter Benefits

• Competitive Paid Time Off Accrual and Personal Day offerings
• 18 recognized paid holidays and one-half day pre-holiday/early release day for calendar year 2025
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefit offerings; coverage will be available the first day of employment
• Employer Paid Term Life Insurance and AD&D for employee coverage only
• Additional Optional Employee Paid Voluntary Life & AD&D and Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
• Optional Employee Paid Commuter Benefits
• Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan with up to a 4% Employer Match - Participation can begin the first of the month, following date of hire
• Remote work capabilities – in office required days Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but the office & resources are available to work in/with throughout each week
• Employee Assistance Program

How to Apply

Please email your resume and cover letter to jobs@sf.wish.org and we will follow up for any related next steps.

No phone calls please.

Other Info

Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. Make-A- Wish is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, as required by law.