Vice President of Development

Vice President of Development

Great Hearts is seeking a mission-fit professional to lead our national fundraising and our growing development infrastructure.

The Vice President of Development provides strategic leadership for Great Hearts' national fundraising efforts and oversees the continued growth and maturation of the organization's development infrastructure. This role is responsible for overseeing a comprehensive, mission-aligned fundraising strategy; leading a multistate development team; and cultivating strong relationships with donors, foundations, and partners who support the long-term sustainability and growth of Great Hearts. Success in this role requires deep alignment with the Great Hearts mission, strong leadership and relational skills, and the ability to translate vision into disciplined execution.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with the Great Hearts mission, vision, and strategic growth plan.
• Collaborate with national and regional boards, senior leadership, and local leaders to establish fundraising goals and priorities.
• Oversee and manage the organizational structure for a multi-state development team, including supervision of national gift officers.
• Direct all fundraising activities, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation and grant fundraising, alumni support, and special events.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, and community partners.
• Oversee donor management systems, data integrity, and development operations processes.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on fundraising metrics, outcomes, and progress toward goals.
• Develop and maintain departmental policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Establish performance metrics, evaluation systems, and professional development plans for the development team.
• Manage departmental budgets and resources responsibly and strategically.
• Personally solicit and secure significant philanthropic support, particularly from national donors and education focused funders.
• Travel to existing and emerging regions to support donor cultivation, stewardship, and strategic partnerships.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications, Competencies & Strengths

Education: Bachelor's Degree preferred or equivalent experience in a managing role, preferably with a development/fundraising organization.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of major gifts fundraising and/or development leadership experience; 10+ years preferred.
• Demonstrated success in major gifts solicitation and donor relationship management.
• Experience across multiple development functions, such as individual giving, grants, direct response, capital campaigns, donor societies, planned giving, events, and donor database systems.

Skills & Competencies:

• Personal alignment with Great Hearts' mission and vision and commitment to Great Hearts' "Six Loves"
• Strong understanding of classical education and the philosophical landscape in which Great Hearts operates
• Ability to cast a convincing vision for potential donors while maintaining firm command of details
• Strategic planning and execution skills; detail-oriented, adaptable, organized, and able to successfully manage multiple projects and tasks
• Strong leadership and team-building abilities; outgoing and relational with strong emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills; excellent written and oral communication and presentation abilities

Additional Requirements

• Must possess or obtain a valid Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP fingerprint clearance card. Position may be required to pass additional fingerprint background clearance as required by states where Great Hearts operates.
• Physical functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
• Travel required: Travel into new regions for VIP and donor cultivation.

This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.