Vice President of Development, Sterling Search Inc. (San Diego, CA)

Association of Fundraising Professionals, Golden Gate Chapter (AFP Golden Gate); San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 225,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Search Inc. is seeking a Vice President of Development to design and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy that significantly expands Think Education's statewide impact.

You will partner with the CEO and senior leaders to cultivate high-net-worth donors and drive a multi-million-dollar campaign, while guiding a team and strengthening donor stewardship across foundations, corporations, and DAFs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; experience considered in lieu of degree.
• 15+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising; 10+ years in fundraising/external relations; capital campaigns preferred.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build relationships with donors and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a multi-year strategic fund development plan.
• Cultivate and solicit high-net-worth individuals for multi-million-dollar campaigns.
• Strengthen relationships with foundations and corporations to expand funding and visibility.
• Grow donor pipelines, emphasizing high-net-worth individuals and Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs).
• Serve as external representative, cultivating major donors and attending high-visibility events.
• Lead development of donor-focused messaging and capital campaign materials.
• Mentor and manage a fundraising team and ensure donor stewardship.
• Oversee donor tracking and reporting processes.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Donor cultivation

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Title: Vice President of Development

Job Type: Full Time

Organization: Sterling Search Inc.

Salary: $225,000 to $250,00

Job Summary

The Vice President, Development is a strategic leader responsible for designing, executing, and scaling a multi-year fundraising strategy that fuels Think Education's statewide impact initiatives and supports the organization's mission and long-term goals. Partnering closely with the CEO and other senior leaders, cultivate and solicit high-net-worth donors to drive a multi-million-dollar strategic fundraising campaign. Strengthening and expanding relationships with foundations, corporations, and key education influencers to expand funding and visibility for the organization. Develop and grow a robust donor pipeline, particularly among high-net-worth individuals and Donor Advised Funds (DAF), by shaping compelling donor-focused messaging and campaign materials that inspire investment and deepen commitment. Manage and mentor a fundraising team, ensuring excellence in donor stewardship, data systems, and reporting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a multi-year strategic fund development plan that aligns with and supports Think Education's new strategy, focusing on securing seed and operating funding for impact portfolio initiatives (e.g., superintendent leadership development, school improvement, and digital product development).
• Work closely with the CEO and other senior leaders to identify, cultivate, and solicit high-net-worth individuals to support a multi-million-dollar strategic fundraising campaign.
• Partner with senior leaders across the organization to nurture and develop strong relationships with institutional donors (e.g., foundations and corporations) and education influencers, leading to increased funding and visibility for Think's work throughout the state.
• Drive the growth of new donor pipelines, with an emphasis on high-net-worth individuals and Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs).
• Serve as the primary external representative, dedicating time to cultivating and stewarding relationships with major donors, philanthropic partners, and key stakeholders, including attending and participating in high-visibility community and industry events to advance strategic priorities.
• Craft high-impact messaging, with support from the marketing and communications team, tailored to donor audiences and fundraising objectives. Lead the development of materials for the capital campaign.
• Lead and mentor a team of fundraising professionals and support staff to achieve financial and strategic goals.
• Oversee all internal processes related to donor tracking and reporting.

Qualifications And Requirements

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field; proven work experience in lieu of a degree will be considered.
• 15+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, with sustained success in securing gifts from individuals, foundations, or corporations; 10+ years focused on fundraising and external relations. Experience leading capital campaigns preferred.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with donors and other stakeholders.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency with all Microsoft Office software products, including Teams.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort working with data, budgets, and reports.
• High proficiency in PowerPoint design.