Vice President of Advancement

Rochester, NY

JK Executive Strategies is proud to partner with a nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare in search of a Vice President (VP) of Advancement to join its team! The organization has been helping animals and people since 1873. Together with the community, it betters the lives of animals through justice, prevention, and life-saving care. The organization cares for thousands of animals each year, saving animals from abuse and suffering, sending homeless pets to new homes, connecting pet owners with resources to keep their pets, and sharing information on how to help animals every day.

The VP of Advancement will engage in the research, planning, implementation, and evaluation of all fundraising activities and marketing/communications activities necessary to build awareness of the vision, values, programs and services, and achievements of the organization. In alignment with the strategic plan, this position is responsible for setting the strategic direction and overseeing the implementation of tactics, and securing public support for the mission.

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Leads and mentors the communication and development teams to increase their effectiveness, knowledge, and job satisfaction.
• Provides consistent and timely communication, ensuring critical information is communicated to all relevant parties, including management, team members, and other departments. Effectively cascades information to the team and ensures all members are aligned with organizational objectives and goals. Prioritizes urgent matters and delivers necessary updates promptly.
• Maintains open lines of communication with stakeholders, ensuring they are well informed and involved in key decisions as necessary. Provide regular updates and feedback to key individuals as required.
• Coaches direct reports. Provides timely feedback; uses questions that enable staff to understand and manage themselves better and identify their unique abilities.
• Provides on-the-job and other developmental opportunities that stretch staff capabilities and enlarge their sense of themselves and their value to the organization. Routinely identifies high-potential candidates; engages high-potential direct reports in development conversations and assesses their current strengths and gaps to be closed.
• Manages multiple cross-functional projects on time and on budget. Leads multi-functional project teams through project planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation; ensures full contribution by all team members.
• Promotes and supports a diverse and equitable environment of mutual respect where all staff, volunteers, and community members feel a sense of inclusion and belonging.
• Works and collaborates to achieve organizational results and meets financial goals.
• Initiates ongoing conversations that inspire and motivate while overcoming resistance; engages others in stepping up and leading change; identifies constraints and enables alternative solutions.
• Serves as a role model for the organization’s core values.
• Provides effective risk management. Utilizes financial, operational and technical decision making through critical evaluation tools (statistics) in recommending a forward course of action/path. Takes the initiative to drive continuous improvement. Shares learning from previous risk-taking and uses this learning to move the organization forward.
• Makes strategic decisions and takes accountability for understanding the strategic goals and objectives. Manages the initiatives required to execute strategy; knows when to persevere and when to recommend an alternative set of tactics. Eliminates non-value-adding work.

Development & Communications

• Develops annual communications and development plans, budgets, and logic models for each department.
• Works with the President/CEO, Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers to implement the strategic plan and support the mission and programs through resource cultivation and development.
• Meets strategic plan goals and objectives.
• Ensures that donors are the heroes of the organization’s work.
• Adheres to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethics and Donor Bill of Rights
• Responsible for the implementation and success of the development and marketing/ communications plans, ensuring increased visibility and consistent branding for the organization with the public, donors, clients, volunteers, and other key stakeholders.
• Ensures the organization is represented in a professional manner to the public at all times through staff and volunteer interactions.
• Oversees the development and production of all marketing communication pieces for the organization.
• Represents the organization at public and professional meetings and events.
• Oversees the planning and execution of adoption programs and promotions in conjunction with the Director of Communications and Director of Animal Placement.
• Collaborates with the Director of Communications, Director of Development, and other management and leadership staff to ensure consistent branding and messaging for the organization across all programs and sites.
• Oversees the planning and execution of fundraising, recognition, and other events for the community.
• Coordinates and supervises the development and implementation of community tabling and other activities that ensure high visibility, brand recognition, and regular exposure of the organization in the community.
• Oversees major gifts, planned giving, grants, corporate solicitations, annual giving, special events, third-party, and United Way giving to increase the donor base and garner gifts.
• Utilizes the Development Committee of the board and other volunteers to build the development program and engage the community.
• Trains board members in fundraising and attends board meetings.
• Ensure the maintenance of clear, complete, and current records on all gifts and prospects
• Upholds donor confidentiality and privacy standards.
• Carry out responsibilities in accordance with the company’s policies and applicable state/federal laws.
• Observe all safety rules and regulations for self and others.
• Perform other duties as requested to meet organizational needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
• 10+ years’ experience in a non-profit organization with proven success in development and communication functions strongly preferred.
• 7+ years leadership experience strongly preferred.
• CFRE and/or CAWA certifications a plus.
• Demonstrated initiative to lead at a higher level, prioritizing growth opportunities and experiences.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Exceptional ease and diplomacy when communicating with the public, staff, and volunteers while offering a high level of customer service.
• Public relations and media experience desired, with the ability to handle interviews.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships.
• Ability to manage conflict and be tactful and fair-minded.
• Ability to handle stressful and changing situations.
• Versatile, flexible, and willing to work within constantly changing priorities.
• Experience with Raisers Edge development software and Adobe Creative Suite preferred.
• Proficiency in computer applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Salary Range

• $115k

JK Executive Strategies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of JK Executive Strategies to provide equal opportunity in employment and conditions of employment to all individuals regardless of age, race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, veteran or military status, disability, pregnancy-related condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, genetic information, marital status, familial status, prior arrest, domestic violence victim status, non-job related convictions, participation in lawful activities outside of our workplace, or any other status protected by law.