Summary
Description
The Director of Development Strategy & Operations is responsible for the leadership, management, and execution of Vail Valley Foundation’s development operations, including leadership of the donor engagement, database, grassroots fundraising, and grant teams. Reporting and working directly with the Vice President of Philanthropy, the Director of Development Strategy & Operations requires a fundraising and operational veteran capable of meeting or exceeding the annual development operations and events-related fundraising goals; acknowledging, stewarding, and growing annual fund contributions; assigning new donors team member portfolios and managing the size of and fund balance of portfolios; successfully overseeing the implementation of signature special events (e.g. Black Diamond Ball, Star Dancing Gala); representing the organization to donors and the public; leading strategy around annual support fundraising-related collateral; leading strategy and implementation around donor database utilization. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and willing to take complete ownership of critical duties.
The Director of Development Strategy & Operations position is designed for a proven fundraiser with excellent communication skills, planned giving experience, strategic and operational management, and a track record for establishing long-term relationships between donors and institutions. The successful candidate will maintain an in-depth knowledge of Vail Valley Foundation’s strategic funding priorities and work closely with the Vice President of Philanthropy on building and implementing an annual development strategy to facilitate growth and ensure momentum on a yearly basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Annual Support Responsibilities:
- Work closely with all revenue-generating members of the Development Team to strategically identify and transition annual support donors to major gift donor portfolios for major gift donor discovery, cultivation, and solicitation.
- In collaboration with the Marketing department, assist in the creation of external content and collateral for Annual Support efforts, including but not limited to appeals, newsletters, social media, website, and invitations.
- Act as a spokesperson for the organization as needed to bring in funding, volunteers, etc.
- Provide oversight and management of Annual Support reports including pacing reports to monitor progress towards budget goals.
- Design and implementation of philanthropy and annual support efforts and organize portfolio distributions to meet organizational fundraising goals.
- Update functional budgets for revenue and expense items on a monthly basis; assist the Finance Department in revenue and expense reconciliation.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Donor Database Strategy and Management:
- Responsible for leading and managing the Associate Director Data Systems position and data systems team aligned with position description, responsibilities, and expectations.
- Work closely with Associate Director Data Systems and Vice President of Philanthropy to develop and implement donor database strategies supporting donor identification, qualification, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and activities.
Fundraising Events:
- Responsible for leading and managing the Director of Donor Engagement and Donor Engagement team aligned with position description, responsibilities, and expectations.
- Work closely with the Donor Engagement team and Vice President of Philanthropy to develop and implement annual support special event fundraising strategies that will:
- Enhance annual support baseline revenue.
- Provide a pipeline of annual support donors at the mid and major donor giving levels.
- Provide community awareness, engagement, and volunteer opportunities.
Grant Responsibilities
- Responsible for managing and leading the grants department.
- Steward and build funder relationships.
- Strategic planning to enhance the grants pipeline and funding opportunities across all VVF projects.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to strategically link organizational and programmatic initiatives with opportunities for fundraising.
- Ability to think strategically about the long-term trajectory of our work and effectively communicate the impact of investing in our community.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills required. Demonstrated ability to write clear and persuasive proposals.
- Excellent time management skills and a high degree of organization, careful attention to detail, ability to multitask and to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- High energy and passion for Vail Valley Foundation’s mission is essential.
- Excellent relationship building with an ability to communicate effectively with diverse internal and external partners.
- Ability to work on selected holidays, weekdays, nights and weekend evenings as required.
- Knowledge and experience in Grant research and writing.
- Computer literacy and knowledge of Raiser’s Edge NXT is highly desirable.
- Well-disciplined, self-motivated, and goal-driven; able to work with a high degree of independence as well as leading a team.
- Ability to appropriately handle confidential matters and information.
- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office software; Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Ability to participate in cross-departmental projects, using tact and diplomacy.
- Sophisticated knowledge of successful fundraising principles and practices, major gift solicitation, and ethical professional standards.
- Ability to participate in cross-departmental projects, using tact and diplomacy.
- Ability to effectively identify, analyze, and solve problems.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 5+ years of proven fundraising experience including demonstrated success in individual giving corporate sponsorship, special events fundraising and management; strategic and operational management;
- Experience with fundraising and data management systems; Raiser’s Edge is highly desirable.
- Experience with moves management including, but not limited to, prospect identification, cultivation, and stewardship.
- Knowledge of nonprofit financial best-practices and strong comfort with budget management required.
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Must be able to successfully pass a background check.
Benefits
This is a salaried, full-time year-round position eligible for all VVF employment benefits.
The hiring range for this position is $90,000-$105,000 annually.
Our employees are a critical part of who we are and employee wellness is an important priority for our organization. As a result, we offer an array of employee benefits, including but not limited to:
- Affordable HDHP employee and family health insurance plan
- Dental plan
- Vision plan
- Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account with company match
- 401k retirement plans with company match
- Basic life insurance
- Short and long term disability plans
- Paid time off: 4+ weeks accrual on year 1
- Volunteer paid time off
- Employee Assistance Program
- Added Perks!
- Free employee ski pass
- Tickets to shows at the VPAC and The Amp
- Discounts at the GFRA concessions
- Tuition reimbursement
Applications will be accepted through July 15th, 2025.
