Open VP of Development Position:
Position: Vice President of Development
Location: Remote
Category: Full-Time (Exempt)
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Direct Reports: Position Title(s)
Pay Range: $170-199k, annually.
About Benetech
Benetech believes that equitable access to education is a human right. Our technology and services break down systemic barriers and empower all learners regardless of ability. Around the world, we partner with local communities to expand inclusive and equitable education opportunities. To date, we have delivered more than 20 million accessible books helping over 1.5 million students, jobseekers, and adults to read, learn, and pursue their dreams. People at Benetech believe strongly in the mission, and we work hard to embody our Truths each day. Benetech believe strongly in the mission, and we work hard to embody our Truths each day.
Attracting candidates from all backgrounds
Our Benetech team reflects the diversity of the people we impact. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, including members of historically marginalized or oppressed communities because it makes our organization stronger.
Research shows that individuals only apply to jobs if they meet all of the qualifications. We know there are great candidates who might not check all of the boxes and possess important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, apply and tell us about yourself.
The Opportunity
The Vice President of Development serves on the senior leadership team, reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer, and works closely with the Board of Directors. The VP of Development is responsible for managing all aspects of Benetech’s fundraising and communication efforts. Specifically, he/she/they leads and oversees the team working on, major gifts, capital campaign, annual fundraising, grant writing, events, donor stewardship and record keeping, external communication and website management, and all other elements of Benetech’s externally facing functions. The VP Development participates in strategic planning and goal setting for the organization, the hiring of key staff, direct fund development, and strategic decision making.
The primary mission of the Vice President of Development is to develop successful relationships with new donors to strengthen the financial capabilities of the organization and as a result the organization’s ability to realize its strategic plan, to maintain and strengthen relationships with existing donors, and to build an exceptional fundraising team.
Key Responsibilities:
Direct Donor Engagement and Management to ensure Benetech achieves its fundraising goals:
o Be responsible for donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and recognition
o Develop new initiatives to attract and retain donors on an annual basis
o Ensure all grant writing activity and follow up reporting is of high quality and performed accurately and submitted on time
o Lead the Major Gifts and Capital Campaign efforts
o Ensure all donor events are of high quality, effectively represent Benetech, stay within budget, and achieve the fundraising targets
o Personally, nurture and follow up with major donors, communicating directly on recent donations and future commitments
o Manage all aspects of donor stewardship (including database management) to ensure that donors feel engaged, informed, and appreciated
o Develop and implement an annual strategic fundraising business plan and budget presented to the CEO and Board Program and Development Committee, that increases giving nationally and in target geographies
Manage the staff and processes towards annual fundraising goals:
o Work with the CEO, senior leadership, and board to establish development priorities, annual goals and timelines, and long-range plans
o Build a strong pipeline, manage and report against it to the CEO and VP, Finance monthly and the Board quarterly
o Manage a team of effective development staff members as they work towards specific fundraising goals for events, programs, and activities
o Recruit top talent to build an effective and proactive development team
o Ensure strong internal communication, collaboration and processes within the development team so that everyone stays informed and has ownership/involvement towards these fundraising goals
o Build rigor, tracking, segmentation, systems and processes into all development functions and actions.
o Work closely with the CEO to engage major donor prospects, build foundation relationships, and work towards the fundraising goals.
Staff liaison to the Board for all fundraising and development matters:
o Manage the annual board fundraising effort to ensure 100% donation participation from the board
o Provide reports and elicit feedback at the program and development committee, and board meetings.
o Keep the chair of the program and development committee engaged, updated and informed on all related matters
o Activate, engage and support board members in fundraising for the organization
o Assist the CEO and Board with board development.
Oversee all communication activities for Benetech:
o Ensure that the website is dynamic, updated and accurate throughout the year, accessible for donors and prospective donors to easily engage with the organization
o Ensure that Benetech is getting high quality press coverage that showcases our leadership, increases our influence, and attracts funders
o Ensure that our social media and other communications efforts are high quality, and measurably support fundraising strategies and efforts.
Senior leadership team responsibilities:
o Participate actively in leadership team meetings and other related executive decision-making
o Work closely with senior leadership to set OKR (Objectives and Key Results) for the organization and work across the org to achieve them.
Qualifications and Core Competencies:
Required:
o Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree and CFRE certification welcomed.
o Appreciation and passion for Benetech’s mission
o 8+ years of professional fundraising experience. Extensive experience in themselves leading solicitations for non-profit development/fundraising
o Experience recruiting and building an exceptional fundraising team.
o Thorough understanding of the philanthropic landscape, new trends, technologies for development management, and the behavioral science of giving
o Experience in Board development
o Must have the ability to create comprehensive plans and follow through on each detail
o Must be highly organized and enjoy a fast-paced work environment
o Ability to present information concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
o Ability to manage multiple projects and work assignments
o Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Products and preferably Salesforce.
Core Competencies:
o Good-humored personality with a positive attitude
o Strong work ethic
o Experienced and detail-oriented planner who “thinks three steps ahead” especially with regard to Board and donor interactions and events
o Ability to exude grace under pressure
o Exceptional EQ with superb people skills
o Well-spoken with tremendous command of the formal written word
o Self-motivated, confident, and consistently proactive
Travel Obligations
Travel for this position may take up to 25%.
Physical Demands and Working Environment:
The bullet points below are representative of the physical demands and working environment that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
• Remote office setting; proximity to office equipment that includes electronic devices.
• Must remain at a workstation for at least 50% of the time; will need to use equipment that includes electronic devices.
• Perceive and interact with text, media, and people.
• Communicate and accurately exchange information with text, media, and people.
To apply, please send direct inquires to Ryan Seeley 832-640-2079 | [email protected]