VP of Advancement

Job Title: VP of Advancement

Department: Advancement

Employment Status: Full-time/Regular/Exempt

Qualifications: This person must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree; a Master’s degree is highly desired. He or she must be a Christian with strong convictions who is also in agreement with White’s mission statement and able to articulate White’s mission and ministry in a compelling way that reflects a deep, personal sense of connection to White’s. In addition, through prior professional experience, this person must have demonstrated success in fundraising, particularly in major gift solicitation and attainment; excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong interpersonal and relational skills enabling him/her to comfortably engage individuals of all socio-economic levels, especially people in high-wealth level; and the ability to drive progress across the agency with little direction and self-initiative.

This person must be able and willing to spend approximately 2 1/2 days per week (50 percent of time) traveling for donor visits, PR and networking, and relationship cultivation.

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director

Job Summary: Reporting to the CEO & Executive Director, the VP of Advancement serves as a key leadership team member and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting White’s. He or she will have primary responsibility for all fundraising activities of White’s Residential & Family Services and will provide strategic and financial oversight for the marketing and communications department. As the leader of the Development and Marketing and Communications offices, the VP of Development will have overall authority and management responsibility for all personnel and activities within the departments. As the chief development officer for the institution, the VP of Advancement’s most critical responsibilities will be to grow White’s fundraising program with specific attention to capital campaign planning and implementation, major gift solicitation and attainment, and efforts to strengthen the organization’s overall fundraising capacity. Must demonstrate commitment to the founding principles of White’s as set forth by Josiah White and sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Primary Responsibilities

(1)  Fundraising / Development:

• Highest priority is placed on the ability to engage and interact with major and leadership level donors in all phases of the identification, cultivation, solicitation, closing of gifts and stewardship processes.
• Support and partner with the Executive Director, Sr. Leadership, and Board Members on all major fundraising initiatives and strategies, including the development of annual fundraising and annual / capital campaign goals
• Develop a highly effective team of Development professionals and supporting staff; lead initiatives that enable Sr. Leaders and Board Members to take on more active fundraising roles.
• Collaborate with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to assess financial needs for programs and set budget proposal related to fundraising needs; work closely with other team members to secure funding for new initiatives.
• Expand and diversify White’s donor base/pipeline; manage and expand current sources of funds and develop new sources of income from foundations, individuals, events and governmental grants, corporations, and others.
• Oversee the development and execution of all proposals and grant-writing efforts.
• Lead the implementation and optimal utilization of systems and processes that lead to excellence in stewardship and acknowledgement practices; trending and statistical analysis; and donor record-keeping.
• Ensure the effective and efficient planning and execution of White’s events such as the annual golf outing, the annual open door dinner, and other advancement activities both on and off campus.

(2)  Marketing / Communications:

• Oversees strategic planning processes for marketing and communication and provides guidance to department on critical issues as needed.
• Oversees the relationship with external consultants and serves as final authority over terms of contracts, evaluation of performance against stated objectives, and budgetary matters. 
• Implement strategies that protect, promote and enhance White’s image and reputation and contribute to the achievement of White’s goals.
• Ensure that internal and external communications and marketing strategies include a solid and sustainable infrastructure and an integrated approach to ensure that all departments are accurately represented and that messaging is consistent with the agency’s vision, mission and goals.

(3)  Perform other duties as directed by the Executive Director.

Skill, Supervision, Knowledge and Ability

• Must be dependable, well organized, and an effective time manager.
• Must have the ability to clearly, concisely and professionally communicate ideas through excellent verbal and writing skills.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively with all types of people including new contacts; people of wealth; older people; and corporate and foundation personnel.
• Must not only have a deep appreciation for White’s and its ministry but be able to “convey” White’s in a way that inspires others to become engaged and make a financial commitment.
• Must be a “team player.” This person needs to enjoy working closely with other staff members. He or she also must enjoy the process of working with those not familiar to White’s (“new contacts”) and, through engagement and cultivation, drawing them closer to the institution.
• Must possess a valid driver's license with a safe driving record.

Working Conditions

• The VP of Advancement must live within close proximity to one of White’s offices (Wabash, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Crown Point, South Bend, or Columbus, Indiana) and have a primary office space established in that location.
• This person will have a secondary office space in Wabash if their primary office is located within a regional office and he or she will be expected to be on the Wabash campus a minimum of 2 days per week except during periods of high business travel.
• Normal in-office work hours will be Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Approximately 50 percent of the time will be spent traveling (primarily in Indiana but some travel, on occasion, outside the state). The position will require evening and weekend work as needed and overnight stays while traveling will be expected.