Vice President of Development

The Zoo Scientist; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoo Knoxville is seeking a visionary Vice President of Development to lead all philanthropic efforts, secure transformational gifts, and drive strategic fundraising initiatives. You will partner with the CEO, Board, and volunteers to advance conservation, education, and community impact.

As the chief fundraiser, you will oversee annual giving, major gifts, foundations, planned giving, and capital campaigns, while building a data-informed program and mentoring a high-performing team committed to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit mgmt, business, or related field; CFRE preferred.
• 10+ years in fundraising and advancement with major gifts & campaigns.
• Proven success securing six- and seven-figure gifts from diverse partners.
• Experience leading comprehensive fundraising initiatives and capital campaigns.
• Expertise in donor pipeline, moves management, planned giving, and relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all philanthropic initiatives and campaigns.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with mission.
• Lead major fundraising campaigns and donor stewardship programs.
• Manage a major gifts portfolio, cultivating high-capacity donors.
• Partner with CEO, board, and volunteers to grow transformational gifts.
• Oversee foundation, corporate, and grant fundraising efforts.
• Guide donor analytics, moves management, and advancement operations.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Major gifts

Donor stewardship

Capital campaigns

Donor analytics

CRM systems

Stakeholder engagement

Board collaboration

Strategic planning

Moves management

Education

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit mgmt / business / related field

CFRE certification preferred

Tools

Tessitura

Raiser's Edge

Salesforce

Job description

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Job Title:Vice President of Development

Department:Development Date Updated:6/24/2026

Reports To:CEO and President Status:Full Time, Exempt

Supervises:Assistant Director of Individual Giving, Assistant Director of Membership, Donor Events Manager, Development Operations and Grants Administrator

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Vice President of Development serves as Zoo Knoxville's head of philanthropy and is responsible for leading all philanthropic, advancement, and donor engagement strategies that support the zoo's mission, vision, and long-term sustainability. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, this individual partners closely with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, volunteer leadership, and senior staff to secure the financial resources necessary to advance Zoo Knoxville's conservation, education, animal welfare, and community impact initiatives.

The Vice President of Development provides strategic leadership for all aspects of fundraising, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate philanthropy, foundation relations, planned giving, donor stewardship, and campaign management. This role is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies that grow philanthropic support, deepen donor relationships, and strengthen a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.

A primary focus of this position will be the leadership and execution of Zoo Knoxville's transformational capital campaign and other major fundraising initiatives. The Vice President will work closely with campaign volunteers, board members, community leaders, and key stakeholders to cultivate, solicit, and steward significant philanthropic investments that support the zoo's ambitious growth plans.

The successful candidate will be a dynamic relationship builder with a demonstrated track record of securing major gifts and leading high-performing advancement programs. They will serve as a visible ambassador for Zoo Knoxville within the community, fostering meaningful connections with donors, foundations, corporations, and conservation partners while helping position the zoo as one of the region's most impactful nonprofit organizations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• As a member of the Zoo Knoxville team, exemplify the organization's Core Values through interactions with guests, donors, volunteers, board members, and fellow team members.
• Provide strategic leadership for all philanthropic initiatives, including annual giving, major gifts, principal gifts, planned giving, foundation relations, corporate philanthropy, donor stewardship, and capital campaigns.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that advances Zoo Knoxville's mission, strategic plan, conservation priorities, educational programs, and capital initiatives.
• Serve as the organization's chief fundraising officer and partner closely with the President & CEO to establish annual and long-term philanthropic goals.
• Lead the planning and execution of major fundraising campaigns, including campaign feasibility, campaign strategy, donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and volunteer leadership engagement.
• Build, manage, and maintain a robust major gifts portfolio, personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-capacity donors and prospects.
• Develop strategies to identify, qualify, and engage new philanthropic supporters while deepening relationships with existing donors.
• Oversee all donor stewardship and recognition programs to ensure meaningful engagement, exceptional donor experiences, and long-term philanthropic investment.
• Partner with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, and volunteer leaders to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward transformational donors and institutional funders.
• Provide leadership and support to the Board of Directors and development-related committees, including campaign committees, fundraising task forces, and donor engagement initiatives.
• Direct foundation and grant fundraising efforts, including prospect research, proposal development, reporting, and stewardship.
• Assist with corporate philanthropy efforts, including sponsorships, strategic partnerships, employee engagement opportunities, and cause-related initiatives that align with Zoo Knoxville's mission.
• Oversee prospect research, donor analytics, moves management, gift processing, and advancement operations to ensure a data-informed fundraising program.
• Establish measurable fundraising goals, key performance indicators, and reporting systems to evaluate performance and inform strategic decision-making.
• Develop annual fundraising budgets, revenue projections, and expense management plans for all development activities.
• Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing advancement team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and donor-centered philanthropy.
• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy, long-range planning, and institutional growth.
• Represent Zoo Knoxville throughout the community, strengthening relationships with philanthropic leaders, foundations, corporations, civic organizations, and conservation partners.
• Stay informed of emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in fundraising, philanthropy, donor engagement, and nonprofit leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, public administration, philanthropy, or a related field. Advanced degree or CFRE certification preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible fundraising and advancement experience, including leadership of major gifts, annual giving, capital campaigns, foundation relations, and donor stewardship programs.
• Demonstrated success securing and stewarding six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Proven experience leading significant fundraising initiatives, including comprehensive campaigns, capital campaigns, endowment campaigns, or other transformational fundraising efforts.
• Strong understanding of donor pipeline development, moves management, prospect research, planned giving, and relationship-based fundraising strategies.
• Experience partnering with executive leadership, governing boards, campaign cabinets, and volunteer leaders to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
• Exceptional relationship-building, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with donors, board members, community leaders, and staff.
• Proven ability to develop and lead high-performing teams while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills, including experience utilizing fundraising metrics, CRM systems, and data analytics to guide decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, complex projects, and confidential donor information with professionalism and discretion.
• Knowledge of fundraising ethics, donor stewardship best practices, and nonprofit governance.
• Familiarity with donor database and fundraising platforms such as Tessitura, Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or comparable systems.
• Experience within a zoological institution, museum, aquarium, conservation organization, university, healthcare organization, or other major nonprofit preferred.
• Knowledge of the East Tennessee philanthropic community and experience building relationships with regional donors, foundations, and corporate leaders preferred.
• Passion for wildlife conservation, education, community engagement, and the mission of Zoo Knoxville.

Don't meet every requirement? At Zoo Knoxville we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in thejobdescription, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

As an employee of Zoo Knoxville, you must possess English communication skills as well as the ability to communicate using a 2-way radio, email, and telephone. The position hours vary depending on business needs and will require weekend and some holiday shifts. Depending on the specific tasks, this position will be required to work within close proximity of exotic and domestic animals and must be aware that there are dangers inherent in working under those conditions. Zoo Knoxville is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace and as such, each employee must pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Need Help?

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