Vice President of Advancement

The-Children; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

PTO and holidays

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Job summary

The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh is seeking a visionary Vice President of Advancement to lead enterprise-wide fundraising strategy and donor engagement. You will drive major gifts programs, oversee campaigns, and partner with the President/CEO and Board to secure transformational support.

Ideal candidates bring 15+ years of fundraising leadership, a track record in major gifts, and strong data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in business, non‑profit management, communications, or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive fundraising/advancement leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience leading senior-level teams.
• Proven success securing major and principal gifts and managing complex campaigns.
• Strong pipeline development, portfolio management, and data-driven decision‑making.
• Experience partnering with boards and cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellent relationship-building and donor-centered fundraising approach.

Responsibilities

• Develop enterprise-wide advancement strategy for philanthropic growth across annual giving, major gifts, and campaigns.
• Lead portfolio of major donors; collaborate with President/CEO and Board on cultivation and solicitations.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Major gifts

Campaign management

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Non‑Profit Management/Communications

Master’s degree or CFRE (preferred)

Job description

At The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh, we’ve built our legacy on being amazing. After more than a century of the highest quality care and service to children and their families, we’re forever proud of our team members who don’t just make a career here – they make a difference.

Job Title: Vice President of Advancement

Location: 1405 Shady Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Schedule: Monday through Friday, Full Time, Onsite

The Vice President of Advancement (VPA) provides enterprise-wide executive leadership for institutional advancement, serving as a strategic growth and relationship-building leader responsible for expanding philanthropic resources, strengthening external partnerships, and aligning advancement priorities with CI’s strategic plan. The VPA develops and leads a comprehensive, data-informed strategy encompassing transformational philanthropy, major and principal gifts, planned giving, campaigns, institutional funding, external relations, and advancement operations to accelerate mission impact and long‑term sustainability.

Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following strategic areas:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, enterprise-wide advancement strategy that drives philanthropic growth across annual giving, transformational major and principal gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation support, government funding, and special, capital, endowment, and comprehensive campaigns.
• Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and donors and partner with the President & CEO and Board members on the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of transformational gifts and strategic philanthropic relationships.

External Relations & Advocacy

• In partnership with the President & CEO, identify and advance corporate, foundation, and government funding opportunities and strategic relationships that support innovation, service expansion, advocacy priorities, and measurable community impact.

Board & Governance Engagement

• Partner with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to cultivate major donors, expand philanthropic networks, strengthen board giving and prospect introductions, and foster an organization‑wide culture of philanthropy.

Team Leadership, Systems & Performance Oversight

• Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing advancement function; define roles, decision‑making authority, performance expectations, and accountability across the team while cultivating collaboration and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Non‑Profit Management, Communications, or a related field (required). Master’s degree (e.g., MBA, MPA, MS‑Nonprofit Leadership) and/or CFRE or comparable fundraising certification (preferred).
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in fundraising and advancement leadership.
• Minimum 5 years of experience leading senior‑level teams.
• Demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts and managing complex campaigns.
• Strong experience in pipeline development, portfolio management, and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Experience partnering with boards and collaborating across organizational functions.
• Excellent relationship‑building and communication skills; commitment to donor‑centered fundraising, an inclusive workplace, and the organization’s mission.

Clearances Required: Act 73 FBI, Act 34 Criminal Clearance, and Act 33 Child Abuse Clearance, Must maintain Valid Pennsylvania driver’s licenseAccess to a reliable vehicle and active automobile insurance.

Benefits Summary

We're proud to offer generous benefits to our team members. Regular full‑time team members are eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical and Prescription insurance-Choice of two health plans and networks
• Dental and Vision-Free coverage for team members.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays
• Medical, Bereavement, Educational, & Personal Leaves
• Parental leave (birth & adoption) paid-6 weeks
• 403b Retirement Plan – pre‑tax & Roth options; employer match after 1 year
• Student Loan Refinancing Program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program – CI qualifies as non‑profit
• Education Assistance/Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Development/CEU’s
• Life and Short- & Long‑Term Disability insurance
• Credit Union
• Team Member Recognition Events
• Referral bonus
• CPR-employer paid

Are you looking for a position where you can make a lasting impact in the lives of children and their families? Are you ready to brighten the future of Amazing Children? We want to hear from you!

The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We serve a diverse population of children and families, and we want our workforce to reflect that same diversity. We want all interested individuals to feel welcome in applying for a career at our amazing place – we can't wait to meet you!

The Children's Institute does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religious creed, AIDS or HIV status, disability, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, union membership, or veteran/military status in employment.