Vice President of Development

Vice President of Development

Department: Advancement

Reports To: Chief Advancement Officer

Revised Date: October 2026

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

The Vice President of Development provides strategic and operational leadership for BCH’s core fundraising functions, working closely with the Chief Advancement Officer to translate BCH’s broader Advancement strategy into effective fundraising plans, clear objectives, and measurable results.

The VP is responsible for the management, integration, and performance of BCH’s fundraising functions, ensuring annual giving, major giving, legacy giving, and grantwriting are aligned, coordinated, and achieving established goals.

This role works collaboratively with the CAO to develop and refine fundraising strategy and is responsible for ensuring the strategy is effectively executed by the fundraising team. The VP is not expected to personally execute each fundraising function, but rather to provide the direction, accountability, coordination, and support necessary for each area to perform well.

Qualifications

Minimum 10 – 15 years of progressive experience in fundraising, nonprofit advancement, development, or a related field; experience in faith-based organizations preferred.

Demonstrated experience managing fundraising programs, teams, or multiple fundraising functions with measurable revenue goals.

Bachelor’s degree in Fundraising, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Strong ability to interpret fundraising data, manage performance metrics, develop forecasts, and use insights to improve outcomes.

Demonstrated ability to develop strategy collaboratively and translate strategy into clear plans, priorities, and execution.

Excellent communication, relationship-building, organizational, and project-management skills.

Working knowledge of donor databases/CRM systems, Microsoft 365, and fundraising technology.

Must be able to manage multiple priorities, hold others accountable, and maintain professionalism in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Planning

Work with the CAO to develop and refine BCH’s overall fundraising strategy and priorities.

Translate fundraising strategy into annual plans, goals, priorities, and measurable objectives for each core fundraising function.

Ensure annual giving, major giving, legacy giving, and grantwriting operate as an integrated fundraising program.

Recommend new strategies, opportunities, and improvements that can increase fundraising growth and effectiveness.

Balance immediate revenue needs with long-term donor development and pipeline growth.

Fundraising Performance & Accountability

Own the day-to-day management and performance of BCH’s core fundraising functions.

Establish clear expectations and measurable goals for staff within each function.

Monitor revenue, pipeline, donor activity, and other key performance indicators through a fundraising scorecard.

Regularly assess performance, identify gaps or risks, and work with staff to develop and implement corrective strategies.

Maintain accurate revenue forecasts and provide the CAO with a clear understanding of fundraising performance and outlook.

Hold staff accountable for agreed-upon goals while providing coaching, support, and direction.

Fundraising Function Management

Supervise and support staff responsible for annual giving, major giving, legacy giving, and grantwriting.

Ensure each function has appropriate strategies, priorities, work plans, and resources to achieve its objectives.

Coordinate activities across fundraising functions to reduce silos and create a consistent donor experience.

Ensure donors have intentional opportunities to deepen their relationship with BCH through increased giving, recurring giving, major giving, and legacy giving.

Support the development of strong fundraising practices, processes, and performance expectations.

Donor Acquisition & Growth

Own BCH’s fundraising strategy for acquiring new donors and developing them into long-term supporters.

Work with Marketing to establish acquisition audiences, goals, channels, conversion expectations, and testing priorities, with Marketing responsible for campaign execution.

Strengthen strategies for donor retention, renewal, upgrading, recurring giving, and movement into major and legacy giving.

Identify opportunities to improve donor value and strengthen the overall fundraising pipeline.

Collaboration, Data & Continuous Improvement

Partner with Advancement Services to ensure fundraising staff have accurate data, reporting, segmentation, and tools to manage performance effectively.

Partner with Marketing to coordinate fundraising campaigns, communications, acquisition, and donor engagement.

Work with Church Engagement, Church Mobilization, and other areas of Advancement when fundraising opportunities intersect with their work.

Use data, performance trends, and staff insight to identify opportunities for improvement.

Bring recommendations and new ideas to the CAO and participate in developing strategies to improve fundraising results.

Leadership & Organizational Contribution

Provide clear, consistent management and direction to the fundraising team.

Develop staff capabilities and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, initiative, and results.

Serve as a key member of the Advancement leadership team.

Keep the CAO informed of fundraising performance, opportunities, challenges, and resource needs.

Represent BCH’s fundraising priorities and objectives in appropriate organizational planning and collaboration.

Model BCH’s Christian mission and values in all aspects of the role.

Primary Success Measures

Success in this role will be primarily evaluated through the performance, execution, and growth of BCH’s core fundraising functions.

Achievement of annual fundraising revenue goals.

Strong performance across annual giving, major giving, legacy giving, and grantwriting.

Improved donor acquisition, retention, renewal, and upgrading.

Growth in recurring, major, and legacy giving.

Healthy fundraising pipelines and accurate revenue forecasting.

Consistent execution of fundraising plans and objectives.

Clear accountability and strong performance from supervised staff.

Effective coordination across fundraising functions.

Continuous improvement in fundraising practices, systems, and results.

Annual targets will be established in partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer based on organizational priorities, donor file performance, and revenue goals.

Core Competencies

Strategic thinker with a practical, results-oriented approach.

Strong manager who creates clarity, accountability, and follow-through.

Collaborative leader who works effectively across departments and functions.

Strong relationship-builder with a donor-centered mindset.

Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Effective communicator across written, verbal, and interpersonal contexts.

Analytical and data-informed decision-maker.

Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into effective execution.

Demonstrates integrity, discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment.

Commitment to BCH’s mission, values, and Christ-centered culture.