Vice President, Development

~ ecoAmerica grows the base of popular support for climate solutions in America with research-driven marketing, partnerships, and national programs that connect with Americans' core values to bring about and support change in personal and civic choices and
behaviors. ~

ecoAmerica starts with people to genuinely understand and address Americans' core concerns and how they relate to climate and sustainability. We seek greater effectiveness in the way we
engage with people, always with the goal of growing the base of support. Our vision is of a coalition of the whole. As Americans, we can join across our differences to solve the biggest problem that affects us all: climate change.

Position Overview

The Vice President, Development (VPD) serves as a key leadership team member and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting ecoAmerica. In partnership with the President, the VPD is responsible for individual and foundation fundraising and all other development activities. The VP of Development contributes to ecoAmerica's success by proactively soliciting, enrolling and stewarding the Board of Directors, and individual and foundation funders to build ecoAmerica's visibility, impact, and financial resources.

Strong candidates will bring a track record of fundraising success with foundations and individuals. In particular, strong candidates will possess the gravitas and strategic skills required to collaborate with high profile donors, the ability to achieve significant growth in a fast-paced, highly entrepreneurial environment, and genuine interest in helping to build support for climate solutions in America.
The VP, Development reports to the President. This is a full-time position based in ecoAmerica's Washington, DC headquarters or its San Francisco office.

Responsibilities 

Fundraising & Stewardship:

The VP, Development drives all fundraising for ecoAmerica, with a particular focus on major individual donors and foundations. Fundraising and stewardship-related responsibilities include: 

• Providing strategic leadership for overall fundraising strategies and goals, including creating and implementing annual development strategy 
• Identifying and qualifying individual donor and foundation prospects 
• Developing and implementing stewardship and cultivation strategies that leverage key internal resources, including President, Board of Directors, and staff members 
• Ensuring appropriate and effective use of relationship management systems to ensure identification, cultivation, and solicitation of new and current donor prospects and continued cultivation and outreach to existing and past donors 
• Overseeing proposal and reporting processes and development database 
• Ensuring appropriate and effective systems and processes for all development activities 
• Regularly presenting fundraising plans, progress updates, and outcomes to Board, President, and executive staff  

Board of Directors:

The VP, Development serves as the lead relationship manager for the Board of Directors and, in collaboration with the President and executive staff, supports board engagement and cultivation. Board-related responsibilities include: 

• Governance, policies, and processes, including board and committee membership processes and interactions between Directors and Officers 
• Developing and implementing meetings and communications, including managing all aspects of Board meetings (three/year) and calls 
• Leading stewardship and engagement activities with Board members and committees  

Leadership and Team Management:

In addition to serving as a key leader within the organization, the VP, Development is responsible for growing, mentoring, and coaching the development team, which currently consists of a Development Operations Manager and shared Executive Assistant. Leadership and management responsibilities include:  

• Serving as a key member of the executive team, collaborating with colleagues to develop integrative funding and programmatic strategies and actively contributing to organization-wide strategic planning and implementation
• Advance ecoAmercia's values by taking initiative, indentifying and seizing new opportunities and generating new ideas and tactics, particularly as they relate to fundraising
• Develop, implement and monitor operating plans and budgets for the development function
• Lead development team by example to demonstrate responsibility and accountablility 

Qualifications

Strong candidates will offer the following skills and characteristics:

• A broad background of fundraising experience (e.g., foundations, individual giving, major gifts, corporate gifts, and foundation relations), with particular strength raising funds from major donors and foundations, along with a thorough knowledge of fundraising principles and a documented ability to raise funds 
• Experience developing a strategic vision for development and the ability to translate that vision into a comprehensive, actionable fundraising plan with measurable outcomes 
• Strong focus on using data to make decisions and develop plans 
• Previous experience working closely with a Board of Directors on fundraising initiatives and strategies 
• An entrepreneurial approach to expanding and deepening donor support and identifying and pursuing new markets and partnerships 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills; the ability to quickly establish genuine and productive relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, high-level contacts, such as board members, foundation officials, and company executives 
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write and speak clearly and effectively, to listen well, and deliver effective and inspirational presentations 
• Strong management skills, including the ability to develop and coach individuals, enhance collaboration, promote accountability, and inspire team members to new levels of performance 
• Experience partnering with program leaders to develop and implement integrated fundraising strategies and initiatives 
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and rapidly-changing environment
• Creative, strategic leader who can execute on multiple priorities simultaneously 
• Commitment to climate and environmental solutions and ecoAmerica's mission 

Compensation: Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

To Apply

Please click below: "Apply Now Online" to send a compelling cover letter and resume to Molly Brennan. Type "Vice President, Development" into the subject line.

~ ecoAmerica is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBT applicants. ~