VP of Development

The Peace Center; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Peace Center in Greenville, SC seeks a Vice President of Development to lead the organization's fundraising program, advancing its mission and financial sustainability. This executive will shape the annual development plan, oversee major gifts, corporate and foundation support, government grants, and special events, while guiding a high-performing team.

The role requires building and managing a donor portfolio, leveraging data insights to inform strategy, and partnering with senior leaders

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive fundraising leadership experience; performing arts experience preferred.
• Demonstrated success securing and closing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Proven experience managing fundraising teams and achieving ambitious revenue goals.
• Strong knowledge of major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, stewardship, and fundraising best practices.
• Experience with donor database systems; Tessitura experience preferred.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills.
• Must have experience in leading and managing staff.
• Ability to work flexible hours.

Responsibilities

• Lead all fundraising efforts, including individual giving, major gifts, corporate giving, foundation grants, government support, planned giving, and special events.
• Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 150-200 major gift prospects and donors.
• Develop and execute strategies to increase donor acquisition, retention, and philanthropic investment.
• Oversee the annual Trustee Campaign and other leadership giving initiatives.
• Ensure exceptional donor stewardship and recognition programs that deepen engagement and inspire advocacy.

Skills

Major gifts

Donor relations

Fundraising strategy

Team leadership

Budgeting

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Tessitura

Donor databases

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President of Development serves as a member of the Peace Center's senior leadership team and is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that advances the organization's mission, strategic plan, and financial sustainability. The position oversees all contributed revenue activities, including individual, corporate, foundation, government, and special event fundraising, while leading a high-performing development team and maintaining a portfolio of major donors and prospects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a strategic partner to the President & CEO, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership team
• Develop and implement an annual development plan with measurable goals and performance metrics
• Support organizational growth by securing philanthropic resources aligned with strategic priorities
• Monitor fundraising trends, economic conditions, and philanthropic opportunities to position the Peace Center for long-term success
• Represent the Peace Center at donor, community, and civic events

Fundraising & Relationship Management

• Lead all fundraising efforts, including individual giving, major gifts, corporate giving, foundation grants, government support, planned giving, and special events
• Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 150-200 major gift prospects and donors
• Develop and execute strategies to increase donor acquisition, retention, and philanthropic investment
• Oversee the annual Trustee Campaign and other leadership giving initiatives
• Ensure exceptional donor stewardship and recognition programs that deepen engagement and inspire advocacy

Team Leadership & Operations

• Lead, mentor, and evaluate Development staff, fostering a collaborative, results-oriented culture
• Establish clear goals, accountability measures, and professional development opportunities for team members
• Oversee departmental budgeting, forecasting, and revenue tracking
• Ensure effective prospect management, donor engagement, and fundraising operations through Tessitura
• Develop and maintain fundraising policies, procedures, and best practices

Data & Performance Management

• Utilize data analytics and donor insights to inform fundraising strategies and decision-making
• Track and report fundraising performance, revenue projections, donor trends, and key performance indicators
• Ensure the integrity and effective use of donor data and constituent records

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Partner cross-departmentally to advance organizational objectives
• Support integrated strategies that strengthen donor engagement, audience development, and community impact
• Additional duties as assigned and deemed necessary to the position

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive fundraising leadership experience; performing arts experience preferred
• Demonstrated success securing and closing six- and seven-figure gifts
• Proven experience managing fundraising teams and achieving ambitious revenue goals
• Strong knowledge of major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, stewardship, and fundraising best practices
• Experience with donor database systems; Tessitura experience preferred
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills
• Must have experience in leading and managing staff
• Ability to work flexible hours