
Vice President – Philanthropy
JVS Boston
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Boston • Massachusetts • United States
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Salary
💰 $120 - $130 per year
Job Level
About the role
- The Vice President of Philanthropy is a senior leader within the Advancement Department and a key strategic partner to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). This role provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for JVS’s comprehensive individual philanthropy program, including major gifts, annual giving, stewardship, planned giving, donor engagement, and events.
- As JVS prepares for a potential comprehensive campaign and navigates a shifting funding landscape, the Vice President of Philanthropy ensures continuity, performance, and alignment across all philanthropic activity. This individual is a highly self-motivated fundraising professional who serves as a thought partner to the CAO, independently managing people, systems, and strategy while ensuring that cultivation, stewardship, and engagement efforts remain strong during periods of organizational complexity and change.
- Lead and oversee JVS’s individual giving program, including major gifts, annual giving, stewardship, planned giving, donor engagement, and events.
- Partner with the Chief Advancement Officer to set philanthropic goals, monitor progress, and refine strategy in alignment with organizational priorities.
- Ensure integration and alignment across all donor touchpoints, engagement strategies, and solicitation efforts.
- Collaborate across the agency to develop and maintain a compelling and consistent case for support.
- Manage a selective portfolio of major and leadership-level donors and prospects.
- Develop and oversee individualized strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-value donors.
- Coordinate donor strategies with those managed by the CAO and CEO, as appropriate.
- Ensure donor relationships are supported by thoughtful stewardship, meaningful engagement opportunities, and clear communication.
- Provide leadership and oversight of JVS’s planned giving efforts.
- Ensure appropriate collateral, messaging, and stewardship strategies are in place to support legacy giving.
- Partner with the CAO to identify, cultivate, and steward planned giving prospects.
- Provide strategic oversight of all donor-facing events, including cultivation, stewardship, and signature events.
- Supervise the Advancement and Community Outreach Manager, who is responsible for event execution, logistics, and volunteer engagement.
- Ensure events are aligned with philanthropic strategy, advance donor movement, and reinforce JVS’s mission and values.
- Evaluate event effectiveness and return on investment, and recommend improvements.
- Oversee Advancement operations.
- Ensure accurate, strategic use of Salesforce for donor tracking, reporting, and performance analysis.
- Review fundraising data, projections, and reports to inform strategy and decision-making.
- Manage and mentor the Advancement and Community Outreach Manager and Advancement Operations professional.
- Set clear priorities, expectations, and accountability for direct reports.
- Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing Advancement team culture.
- Partner with the President & CEO and Chief Advancement Officer on Board engagement related to philanthropy.
- Support Board members in their roles as ambassadors and solicitors for JVS.
- Assist with planning and execution of Board-related fundraising activities.
- Partner with the CAO on revenue forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning related to individual giving.
- Participate in Advancement leadership meetings and agency-wide collaboration.
- Represent JVS professionally with donors, volunteers, and external stakeholders.
Requirements
- 5-10 years leading individual philanthropy programs, including major gifts and donor stewardship.
- Experience with Salesforce or comparable CRM.
- Demonstrated success managing staff and overseeing complex fundraising programs.
- Strong donor relationship skills and comfort working with senior volunteers and executives.
- Experience overseeing fundraising events, donor engagement strategies, and advancement systems.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to operate independently and exercise sound judgment.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
- Commitment to JVS’s mission and values.
- **Key Competencies**
- Strategic Leadership: Ability to oversee complex fundraising systems while maintaining focus on long-term goals.
- Judgment & Initiative: Comfort operating independently and making informed decisions in a dynamic environment.
- Relationship Management: Ability to build and steward high-trust relationships with donors, Board members, and colleagues.
- People Leadership: Proven ability to manage, mentor, and develop staff.
- Systems Thinking: Ability to integrate people, process, and data to drive results.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
individual philanthropy programsmajor giftsdonor stewardshipfundraising eventsdonor engagement strategiesfundraising data analysisrevenue forecastingbudgetingstrategic oversightevent effectiveness evaluation
Soft Skills
strategic thinkingjudgmentinitiativerelationship managementpeople leadershiporganizational skillsanalytical skillscommunication skillscollaborationself-motivation