Vice President, Advancement

Big Brother & Big Sister of Independence Region; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region is seeking a Vice President of Advancement to lead fundraising, donor development, and strategic growth. Reporting to the CEO, you will shape priorities, manage a portfolio, and build a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

The role requires a senior, emotionally intelligent leader with extensive fundraising experience, people management, and collaboration with the board and staff to secure sustainable support for BBBSI's mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 10+ years fundraising experience, nonprofit preferred.
• 5+ years people-management experience.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Experience managing annual revenue budgets of $5 million or more.
• CRM experience; Salesforce a plus.
• Event-planning expertise.
• Ability to work in a hybrid, office-based environment.

Responsibilities

• Define BBBSI's mission, vision, and strategic direction with leadership.
• Oversee all fundraising activities and campaigns.
• Develop and oversee annual advancement plans and budgets.
• Manage donor portfolio and moves-management strategies.
• Ensure data integrity in Salesforce and reporting KPIs.
• Lead major gifts and multiyear campaigns.
• Represent BBBSI to donors and external stakeholders.
• Lead Marketing & Communications to raise visibility.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

People management

Strategic planning

Donor stewardship

CRM systems (Salesforce)

Interpersonal communication

Event planning

Nonprofit leadership

Budget management

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Description

AGENCY OVERVIEW

Join a forward-thinking agency that seeks to ensure that all youth achieve their full potential. Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence (BBBSI) is the largest BBBS agency in the state and one of the largest in the nation. Our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth, while working collaboratively to strengthen the quality of the mentoring field and close the mentoring gap.

You will love it here if you set the bar high, approach your work with intention and thoughtfulness, collaborate to create meaningful community solutions, bring a positive, can-do, and solution-oriented mindset, actively embrace justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and hold yourself accountable for getting results and following through.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As BBBSI grows in scale, complexity, and impact, we seek a Vice President of Advancement. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this individual serves as a key member of the leadership team and an active participant in strategic decisions affecting BBBSI. The Vice President of Advancement sets the strategic direction for fundraising and resource development, working with senior leadership, the board, and staff to advance BBBSI's mission. This role fosters a culture of philanthropy, leads donor development, and ensures sustainable funding to support organizational goals. It requires a passionate, emotionally intelligent leader skilled in people management, strategic planning, and delivering strong results.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with the CEO, board, leadership team, and staff to define BBBSI's mission, vision, and strategic direction.
• Provide input on short- and long-term planning, including organizational development and effectiveness.
• Ensure fundraising aligns with organizational values and strategic plans.
• Participate in BBBSI's Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) model, using shared priorities, measurable goals, and regular leadership meetings to support accountability and execution.
• Monitor trends in philanthropy and recommend policy positions.
• Develop diversified fundraising strategies to attract, retain, and motivate donors and volunteers.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for BBBSI, promoting the agency's mission, fundraising initiatives, and community impact through public appearances, professional networking, and social media including LinkedIn.
• Participate in agency-approved communications, including photographs, videos, interviews, and promotional content featuring the Vice President of Advancement's name, image, and professional role, consistent with the agency's media release policy.

Fund Development Oversight

• Oversee all fundraising activities, including the annual fund; individual, foundation, corporate, and planned giving; Regional Advisory Board (RAB) engagement; and marketing and communications.
• Develop and oversee annual advancement plans and budgets, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and best practices.
• Manage a donor portfolio, with a particular focus on major gifts, while identifying and cultivating new individual, corporate, and foundation prospects and driving moves-management strategies to secure new and upgraded revenue.
• Ensure the timely and accurate entry of donor activity in Salesforce and independently manage administrative tasks associated with the role, responsibilities, and portfolio.
• Establish, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for Advancement.
• Set the vision, strategy, and objectives for BBBSI's fundraising and engagement events, providing leadership, direction, and support to ensure strong execution and results.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, ethical standards, and internal policies, including gift acceptance policies.
• Maintain accountability to donors and uphold professional conduct.
• Create a rewarding environment for staff and volunteers.
• Represent BBBSI to donors, prospects, and other external stakeholders.

Talent Management

• Select, develop, motivate, and evaluate fundraising and marketing staff, building a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable team.
• Provide consistent leadership and coaching to direct reports, including weekly one-on-one meetings to review priorities, progress, challenges, professional development, and needed support.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, expectations, and individual performance goals aligned with departmental and organizational priorities.
• Provide timely, direct, and constructive feedback, proactively addressing performance issues and recognizing strong performance and contributions.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and support ongoing professional development and growth.
• Develop team capacity and succession strength by identifying development opportunities, strengthening skills, and supporting staff growth.

Board & Committee Engagement

• Serve as staff liaison to the Advancement Committee, participating in all committee meetings and follow-up activities.
• Partner with board and committee chairs to fulfill fundraising roles and optimize engagement.
• Encourage participatory decision-making and collaborative fundraising initiatives.

Program & Campaign Management

• Design and implement cost-effective fundraising programs with a strong return on investment.
• Lead major-gift fundraising and multiyear campaigns, including strategy development, donor cultivation, and stewardship.
• Oversee campaign planning, communications, vendor relations, and consultant management.
• Ensure data integrity, fiscal responsibility, and adherence to ethical standards throughout campaigns.
• Conduct post-campaign evaluations to capture lessons learned.

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee marketing and communications strategies to enhance BBBSI's visibility and reputation.
• Review and support crisis communications to protect organizational integrity.
• Lead profile-raising initiatives to increase audience engagement and fund development.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure consistent messaging across all channels.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree preferred. Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, ideally in a human services or nonprofit environment, and a minimum of five years of people-management experience.

• Proven leadership, project-management, and people-management skills.
• Strong multitasking and prioritization abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, intercultural, and written communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with a deep understanding of development.
• Experience with CRM systems; Salesforce experience is a plus.
• Ability to manage annual revenue budgets of $5 million or more and prepare financial reports.
• Event-planning expertise and the ability to manage multiple projects.
• High energy, a positive attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail.
• Commitment to BBBSI's mission and philosophy.
• Ability to interact professionally with diverse constituencies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and discretion in handling confidential information.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

A collaborative, results-driven leader with strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complexity with clarity. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to influence and engage diverse donors and stakeholders. Approachable, organized, adaptable, and able to work independently while contributing effectively as a senior team member.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Office-based work environment with moderate noise levels. This role requires travel for donor meetings, events, and other organizational activities, as well as evening and weekend work as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to remain sedentary for extended periods, lift up to 25 pounds, and perform routine physical movements as required. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

BBBSI is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

This position follows a hybrid work model and requires the ability to commute to the office two days per week.

This job description outlines the role's general scope and is not exhaustive. Responsibilities may evolve with organizational needs and strategic priorities.