Vice President, Advancement

Association of Fundraising Professionals; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Vice President of Advancement at Association of Fundraising Professionals reports to the President & CEO and leads the Advancement Department as a full-time exempt role. The successful candidate will shape philanthropic strategy, secure major gifts, and partner with the CEO and Board to advance the organization.

Essential duties include expanding donor relations, directing campaigns and events, and guiding communications and branding to build awareness and engagement; CFRE preference noted

Qualifications

• Proven track record in fundraising strategy and revenue growth.
• Experience leading advancement initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Strong writing, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Advancement Department and partner with the CEO and Board.
• Oversee development calendar, campaigns, events, and annual appeals.
• Expand donor base and manage a portfolio of major gifts.
• Guide branding, storytelling, and marketing to build awareness and engagement.
• Provide vision for fundraising and organizational strategy.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Major gifts

Donor relations

Storytelling

CRM (Raiser's Edge)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management/related field

CFRE certification preferred

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Job description

Our Mission: To inspire and welcome all to our music and arts community to learn, create, celebrate, and heal.
Our Vision: To unlock the potential in everyone.

TITLE: Vice President, Advancement REPORTS TO: President & CEO

CLASSIFICATION: Full time, exempt. Salary Range: $95,000-$100,000.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Provides creative vision and leadership for the Advancement Department. Supports, updates, and executes all aspects of the Advancement Strategic Plan, in collaboration with the department, CEO and Board. The successful candidate will serve as the lead fundraiser and a thought partner to the CEO in shaping the organization's philanthropic strategy and future success.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Regularly partners with President & CEO and Board in initiatives to expand awareness of TMS throughout the community, building connections and supporters through outreach.
• Leads the Board’s Advancement Committee, meeting regularly with leadership, and members to report on outcomes of development initiatives, progress toward budgeted goals, and revenue performance.
• Seeks opportunities to strengthen ties with supporters and donors at all levels. Engages in 1:1 and group solicitations, including for transformational gifts. Stewards and builds a personal portfolio of top-tier major gift prospects and donors.
• Contributes to creative vision for and planning of all components of the fiscal year development calendar, such as: Annual Appeals, routine and special events, and campaigns.
• Provides creative vision for the organization’s marketing function, including mission focused storytelling and messaging that supports building brand and awareness and engagement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience in setting vision and successful execution of fundraising strategy.
• Deep understanding of and strong ties within the philanthropic landscape of Northeast Ohio and its arts/music institutions.
• Proven record of securing major gifts and institutional funding resulting in measurable revenue growth.
• Excellent written, presentation, and relationship-building skills. Emotional intelligence and thoughtful, collaborative approach to stewarding the organization’s resources.
• Demonstrated ability to engage diverse community stakeholders in partnerships.
• Fluency in articulating organizational stories, missions, community impact, and the case for support in representing nonprofit organizations.
• Skilled user of donor CRM/database systems, such as Raiser's Edge.
• Willingness to work primarily onsite, to support team leadership and organizational ties.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in nonprofit management, journalism, communications, marketing, English, or related field required. Ten (10) years of experience in advancement roles, including 3-5 years in a leadership capacity. Will consider a combination of fundraising, donor development, integrated nonprofit marketing communications, and related/relevant work experience. CFRE certification preferred.

Physical requirements include the ability to sit, stand, and transport to move oneself around the various TMS and other job locations, including driving oneself and transporting equipment, and materials and supplies. Lifting, pulling and pushing up to 25 pounds occasionally. Vision to include near and far visual acuity, for creating work product materials using computers, cameras, video and sound recording equipment, in various settings. The ability to hear and speak, to communicate with outside and internal customers, and the public and coworkers to execute job duties. Must possess a valid driver’s license and the means/ability to travel to TMS locations, meetings, events, and partner locations as needed.