Vice President Of Development

Job Summary

The Vice President of Development will focus primarily on the establishment, development, and sustained growth of a major gifts program. This executive will also ensure versatility across all revenue streams to support the organization's mission. This pivotal role is essential for advancing educational equity and engaging new leadership through strategic fundraising and robust external relations. The ideal candidate will exhibit outstanding leadership in donor relationship management and strategic development initiatives, positioning Surge Institute at the forefront of its field. The Vice President of Development will report directly to the Chief External Affairs Officer and work closely with other senior leaders, including the CEO, to align external affairs strategies with organizational goals.

Essential Functions

• Represents Surge in the absence of the Chief External Affairs Officer, standing in at external meetings and providing internal leadership.
• Major Gifts Program Leadership: Spearhead the development and expansion of a robust major gifts program. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, creating personalized engagement strategies to secure and increase significant philanthropic investments.
• Strategic Development and Execution: Collaborate with organizational leaders to create and implement comprehensive strategies for external affairs that align with Surge’s mission and goals. Position the organization effectively in the public sphere and lead diversified revenue strategies, including corporate partnerships and consulting engagements.
• Fundraising and Development Management: Oversee all fundraising activities, ensuring the integration of the major gifts program with other funding streams. Manage comprehensive fundraising campaigns, donor relations, and recognition initiatives.
• Team Management and Organizational Leadership: Recruit, hire, and mentor a diverse and equity-minded team. Foster a collaborative environment, align team goals with organizational objectives, and ensure high engagement and performance. Act as a steward of the organization, making strategic decisions and building strong relationships across all levels. This role will have 1-2 direct reports.
• Communications and Stakeholder Engagement: Lead the development of communication materials that effectively convey the impact of major gifts. Utilize data-driven strategies to enhance donor engagement and adapt communication tactics to expand the donor base.
• Influence Marketing and Communications Strategies: Collaborate with the marketing and communications teams to develop and execute strategies that support fundraising outcomes. Leverage storytelling, branding, and digital media to enhance donor engagement and drive philanthropic support.
• Program and New Sites Collaboration: Work closely with the New Sites and Program teams to market services and ensure successful program execution. Enhance organizational capabilities through strategic partnerships and community engagement.
• Represent Surge and assist staff at events, conferences, and other meetings as necessary.
• Report to work on a regular basis and is available for occasional after-hours emergency calls and projects

Required Qualifications :

• Eight or more years in nonprofit fundraising with increasingly responsible experience in the creation and execution of development strategy and programs, and an established track record of increasing philanthropic revenue.
• Hands-on experience as both a front-line fundraiser and relationship builder with demonstrated success in raising major gifts and achieving ambitious annual goals in a small, nimble, growth-oriented environment.
• Broad knowledge of all functional areas of a comprehensive development program (e.g., individual, institutional, major, and annual giving; digital fundraising; stewardship; operations); leadership in a major fundraising campaign (planning, implementation, and successful conclusion); and at least three years of experience identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts from individual and institutional donors at the level of six-figures or greater.
• Demonstrated success in developing strategic, innovative fundraising plans, and executing those plans to grow fundraising and exceed goals.
• Deep, existing relationships with major donors and foundation prospects in the field that could be leveraged to expand Surge’s fundraising networks and support.
• Experience working cross-functionally and collaborating with executives, senior staff, and board members on development-related activities, including effective case messaging, cultivation and stewardship strategies, and strategic counsel that increases their success in fundraising.
• Knowledge of, and fundamental adherence to the principles, ethics, and best practices of modern fundraising, including the integration of various giving programs to diversify the funding base and cultivate greater donor commitments.
• Track record of managing complex projects, anticipating, and identifying obstacles or challenges, and proposing and implementing solutions through sound decision-making.
• Experience successfully managing budgets and revenue forecasts.
• Working knowledge of modern data management practices and innovations that can streamline development processes and contribute to the integration of related functions.
• CFRE Certification or similar fundraising-specific training would be a plus.

Desired Attributes:

• High emotional intelligence and the interpersonal ability to develop and sustain authentic relationships with a diverse array of colleagues, donors, board members and collaborators, prioritizing an ethos of servant leadership, respect, diplomacy, patience, equity, and inclusivity.

• Proficiency in fundraising software and CRM systems such as Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, or similar platforms is preferred. Experience with data analysis and digital fundraising tools is also beneficial.

• Entrepreneurial self-starter with an ambitious, growth-oriented, goal-oriented mindset, while also exercising an appropriate level of patience and flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances.

• Superb verbal and written communication skills, as well as a good sense of humor, with the stature, demeanor, and comfort level to serve as a highly visible and public-facing ambassador of the Surge movement.

• Unimpeachable integrity and mature judgment in handling sensitive information. Elevates institutional goals beyond personal gain, ensuring efforts are mission focused and quality-driven.

• This position may require travel up to 20% of the time for donor meetings, conferences, and other external engagements.

• Ability to lead independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment.

• Flexible, adaptable, and capable of juggling multiple priorities.

• Energetic, self-motivated, with a sense of humor and service-oriented mindset.

  Compensation

Surge Institute offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $130,000 - $140,000 A comprehensive benefits package including unlimited PTO, 401k retirement plan, annual performance bonus eligibility up to 10%, and a variety of other benefits are offered by Surge.

The Surge Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics covered by law with regard to employment opportunities. The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of job functions, responsibilities, or requirements and does not include the general job performance expectations applicable to all employees (e.g., regular, timely attendance.)