JVS is a non-profit, non-sectarian agency. Our mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers and to partner with employers to hire, develop and retain productive workforces. JVS provides a broad range of services including adult education, skills training, job readiness training, job placement and support, and access to post-secondary education. JVS assists employers in their search for well-qualified job applicants and their initiatives to upgrade the skills of their incumbent workforce.
POSITION SUMMARY
- The Vice President of Philanthropy is a senior leader within the Advancement Department and a key strategic partner to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). This role provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for JVS’s comprehensive individual philanthropy program, including major gifts, annual giving, stewardship, planned giving, donor engagement, and events.
- As JVS prepares for a potential comprehensive campaign and navigates a shifting funding landscape, the Vice President of Philanthropy ensures continuity, performance, and alignment across all philanthropic activity. This individual is a highly self-motivated fundraising professional who serves as a thought partner to the CAO, independently managing people, systems, and strategy while ensuring that cultivation, stewardship, and engagement efforts remain strong during periods of organizational complexity and change.
Essential Function
- Individual Giving Strategy & Program Leadership
- Lead and oversee JVS’s individual giving program, including major gifts, annual giving, stewardship, planned giving, donor engagement, and events.
- Partner with the Chief Advancement Officer to set philanthropic goals, monitor progress, and refine strategy in alignment with organizational priorities.
- Ensure integration and alignment across all donor touchpoints, engagement strategies, and solicitation efforts.
- Collaborate across the agency to develop and maintain a compelling and consistent case for support.
- Major Gifts and Donor Relationships
- Manage a selective portfolio of major and leadership-level donors and prospects.
- Develop and oversee individualized strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-value donors.
- Coordinate donor strategies with those managed by the CAO and CEO, as appropriate.
- Ensure donor relationships are supported by thoughtful stewardship, meaningful engagement opportunities, and clear communication.
- Provide leadership and oversight of JVS’s planned giving efforts.
- Ensure appropriate collateral, messaging, and stewardship strategies are in place to support legacy giving.
- Partner with the CAO to identify, cultivate, and steward planned giving prospects.
- Events & Community Engagement Oversight
- Provide strategic oversight of all donor-facing events, including cultivation, stewardship, and signature events.
- Supervise the Advancement and Community Outreach Manager, who is responsible for event execution, logistics, and volunteer engagement.
- Ensure events are aligned with philanthropic strategy, advance donor movement, and reinforce JVS’s mission and values.
- Evaluate event effectiveness and return on investment, and recommend improvements.
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- Advancement Operations & Department Leadership
- Oversee Advancement operations.
- Ensure accurate, strategic use of Salesforce for donor tracking, reporting, and performance analysis.
- Review fundraising data, projections, and reports to inform strategy and decision-making.
- Manage and mentor the Advancement and Community Outreach Manager and Advancement Operations professional.
- Set clear priorities, expectations, and accountability for direct reports.
- Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing Advancement team culture.
- Board & Governance Support
- Partner with the President & CEO and Chief Advancement Officer on Board engagement related to philanthropy.
- Support Board members in their roles as ambassadors and solicitors for JVS.
- Assist with planning and execution of Board-related fundraising activities.
- Administrative & Cross-Agency Collaboration
- Partner with the CAO on revenue forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning related to individual giving.
- Participate in Advancement leadership meetings and agency-wide collaboration.
- Represent JVS professionally with donors, volunteers, and external stakeholders.
Minimum Skills and Qualifications
- 5-10 years leading individual philanthropy programs, including major gifts and donor stewardship.
- Experience with Salesforce or comparable CRM.
- Demonstrated success managing staff and overseeing complex fundraising programs.
- Strong donor relationship skills and comfort working with senior volunteers and executives.
- Experience overseeing fundraising events, donor engagement strategies, and advancement systems.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to operate independently and exercise sound judgment.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
- Commitment to JVS’s mission and values.
- Key Competencies
- Strategic Leadership: Ability to oversee complex fundraising systems while maintaining focus on long-term goals.
- Judgment & Initiative: Comfort operating independently and making informed decisions in a dynamic environment.
- Relationship Management: Ability to build and steward high-trust relationships with donors, Board members, and colleagues.
- People Leadership: Proven ability to manage, mentor, and develop staff.
- Systems Thinking: Ability to integrate people, process, and data to drive results.
JVS CULTURE: JVS is strongly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates and values employee differences and similarities. By providing and supporting a work culture that fosters and builds upon diversity and its strengths, JVS will better serve our local communities and continue to provide quality services.
JVS is an employment at-will organization and an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, JVS prohibits retaliation against an applicant or employee because he or she has engaged in protected activity under the statutes prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.
