Vice President of Development

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary :

The Epilepsy Foundation is seeking an accomplished development leader to serve as Vice President of Development. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, this position leads the daily operations of the Development team—including 5 direct reports and oversight of 3 additional indirect reports—and manages individual giving strategy. Areas of focus include major and mid-level donors, workplace donors, planned giving, direct response, digital and DIY fundraising, and peer-to-peer fundraising.

The Vice President will also partner with the CDO and Institutional Giving team to support grants, corporate, and charitable foundation partnerships. This role carries an annual revenue goal of $10–15 million, with expectations of year-over-year growth through expansion of the major gifts program.

The successful candidate will thrive in both independent and collaborative settings, bringing proven fundraising expertise, strong leadership, and a deep commitment to the epilepsy community.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities :

Strategy and Team Leadership

Manage the Development team to create and execute annual fundraising strategies aligned with organizational goals.

Supervise, support, and mentor direct reports, fostering growth, accountability, and high performance.

Oversee the Foundation’s individual giving portfolio, ensuring strong donor stewardship and consistent growth.

Provide regular counsel to senior leadership and local Epilepsy Foundation leaders on fundraising strategies.

Oversee and track team budgets, ensuring accuracy and alignment with revenue goals.

Ensure donor records and databases are consistently accurate and used effectively to drive decisions.

Develop and implement data-driven strategies to strengthen donor relationships and fundraising outcomes.

Fundraising and Donor Relations :

Manage a personal portfolio of 25–50 major donor prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships.

Identify and research new donor prospects for strategic alignment and engagement.

Develop and refine proposals and stewardship materials to secure and sustain donor investment.

Cultivate relationships with donors at all levels, ensuring personalized and meaningful engagement.

Remain knowledgeable about the Foundation’s programs, campaigns, and priorities to effectively engage donors.

Operations and Business Intelligence :

Develop and maintain systems, tools, and processes to support fundraising operations.

Prepare and present regular reports on individual giving performance to inform leadership decisions.

Use CRM data (Salesforce preferred) to track progress, manage portfolios, and identify opportunities for growth.

Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements :

10+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience with significant management responsibilities.

Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated success in major gift fundraising.

Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Extensive knowledge of trends, best practices, and networks within the nonprofit sector, ideally in voluntary health agencies or major nonprofit networks.

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); Salesforce or similar CRM experience strongly preferred.

Demonstrated excellence in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Core Competencies

Client Focus : Delivers exceptional service and stewardship to donors and stakeholders.

Creativity & Innovation : Generates and implements new solutions to fundraising challenges.

Teamwork : Collaborates effectively with colleagues and fosters professional development.

Communication : Communicates openly, clearly, and persuasively across diverse audiences.

Initiative : Proactively identifies and implements opportunities to strengthen outcomes.

Adaptability : Thrives in changing environments and engages effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Planning & Organizing : Sets priorities, allocates resources, and achieves goals effectively.

Judgment : Makes sound, timely decisions informed by accurate analysis and data.

Analytical Thinking : Synthesizes information to identify solutions and support decisions.

Supervisory Responsibilities :

Direct supervision of 5 employees.

Oversight of 3 additional indirect reports.

Work Environment & Travel :

Full-time (35 hours per week), Monday–Friday, with Foundation core hours of 10 AM – 4 PM EST.

Remote work environment; requires routine use of office equipment and extended computer use.

Occasional lifting / moving of materials such as boxes or meeting supplies.

Travel up to 20% for donor meetings, conferences, and events.

Regular participation in Foundation meetings and trainings required.

Salary Range : $135,000 - $150,000

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