Vice President of Development

Glenwood; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization in Birmingham, Alabama is seeking a passionate Vice President of Development to lead fundraising and development efforts. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years in a fundraising leadership role, a commitment to advancing opportunities for individuals with autism and behavioral health needs, and a proven track record in building donor relationships and managing campaigns. This position offers an opportunity to shape the future of the organization.

Qualifications

• Proven success in cultivating and closing major and planned gifts.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Deep understanding of fundraising best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead all fundraising and development efforts.
• Build relationships with major donors and corporate partners.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Donor relations

Campaign leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Education

CFRE certification

Minimum of 5 years in a fundraising leadership role

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Blackbaud

Job description

Vice President of Development

At Glenwood, we believe in providing compassionate care and innovative services to transform lives. As a private nonprofit organization, we serve children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and behavioral health needs through more than 40 programs, supported by a dedicated team of over 500 professionals. With an annual budget of $44 million, Glenwood is a recognized leader in our field.

We are seeking a passionate, strategic, and relationship-driven Vice President of Development to lead all fundraising and development efforts. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a mission‑driven organization and make a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.

What You’ll Do:

Donor Relations & Major Gifts

• Build and nurture long‑term relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners
• Develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts
• Create personalized donor engagement experiences, including events, visits, and impact communications

Planned Giving & Endowment Growth

• Design and promote planned giving opportunities in collaboration with the CEO and financial advisors
• Guide donors in creating legacy gifts that align with their values and Glenwood’s mission
• Lead the planning and execution of Glenwood’s next capital campaign
• Coordinate feasibility studies, develop compelling case statements, and identify key prospects
• Partner with board members, campaign counsel, and volunteers to drive campaign success

External Relations & Stewardship

• Represent Glenwood at community, civic, and philanthropic events
• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications team to craft impactful donor materials and storytelling
• Ensure effective use of donor databases (Raiser’s Edge/Blackbaud preferred) for engagement and reporting

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO and board committees
• Provide regular updates on fundraising performance and campaign progress
• Collaborate with program leaders to align fundraising priorities with organizational goals

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven success in cultivating and closing major and planned gifts
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational and follow‑through abilities
• Deep understanding of fundraising best practices, planned giving, and capital campaigns
• Proficiency in donor management systems (Raiser’s Edge/Blackbaud preferred)
• Passion for Glenwood’s mission and a commitment to advancing opportunities for individuals with autism and behavioral health needs

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in a fundraising leadership role
• CFRE certification preferred
• Demonstrated experience in donor relations, campaign leadership, and philanthropic strategy

Additional Requirements: Must pass background screenings, including criminal, educational, motor vehicle, child abuse registry, and drug screening.