The Associate Vice President (AVP) of Development is a key member of the New England Aquarium's development leadership team, responsible for advancing philanthropic support in alignment with the organization's strategic priorities and mission. Working closely with the President & CEO, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Board of Directors, and senior leadership, the AVP will provide strategic direction, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, and lead a high-performing team to achieve ambitious fundraising goals. This position will oversee a team of directors responsible for frontline fundraising, donor engagement and stewardship, development operations, and membership & annual giving.
This is a full-time regular position offering a comprehensive benefits package. The schedule will be Monday-Friday 9 : 00 am - 5 : 00 pm with the option for a hybrid schedule, working some days on-site and some days remotely. Remote days are only available for residents of MA, RI, NH, ME, NY and VT.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Programmatic Leadership
- Refine and execute a comprehensive development plan that supports the Aquarium's strategic vision. This includes annual and multi-year goals that span a range of gift categories and levels.
- Provide senior-level support to the Board's Development and Nominating Committees, identifying well-qualified governance candidates and fostering strong volunteer engagement.
- Collaborate across departments to build and communicate a compelling vision for development, cultivating a culture of shared mission and philanthropic support.
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of development professionals, fostering an environment of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.Promote a culture of trust, respect, and shared purpose within the development team and across the organization.Monitor philanthropic trends, data, and emerging technologies to enhance development strategies and operations.Support the planning and execution of large-scale fundraising initiatives, including capital campaigns.Ensure all fundraising activities are aligned with best practices, organizational priorities, and ethical standards.Fundraising & Donor Relations
Identify, develop, and manage a portfolio of approximately 30-50 prospects with the capacity to give six-figure gifts and above.Identify, prioritize, and pursue funding opportunities that align with the Aquarium's institutional priorities, collaborating internally to convert these opportunities into secured support.Strengthen donor stewardship efforts to ensure recognition and engagement programs are seamless and impactful.Expand the pipeline of prospective donors with a focus on engaging new generations of supporters and enhancing prospect research capabilities.QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Training and Experience
Minimum of 10 years of progressive fundraising experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership or management role within a complex nonprofit environment.Proven track record in securing six -figure gifts from individual, corporate, and foundation donors.Demonstrated experience supporting board relations, including recruitment, engagement, and governance.Proven experience building a culture of confidence and trust within a development team that extends to donors, volunteers, and external partners.Experience with large-scale capital campaign strategy and execution strongly preferred.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Strong passion for the mission of the New England Aquarium.Knowledge of all major areas of development, including major and planned giving, annual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, and membership programs.Strategic, collaborative leadership.High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.Proven ability to set and achieve ambitious goals.Skilled communicator with clarity and impact.Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.For more information and to apply online please visit :
The New England Aquarium is committed to an inclusive workplace culture and is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, as defined by the EEOC. Here, we foster a culture of respect and inclusion. We strive to engage and inspire a broad audience with our efforts to protect the blue planet. We believe that an inclusive workforce provides diverse experiences, skills, and perspectives that enrich our programs, strengthen problem-solving, add creativity, and enhance our workplace culture.
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