Hiring: Senior Vice President of Advancement
Position Title: Senior Vice President of Advancement
Reports to: CEO
Position Status: Exempt, Salaried; 40 hours/week.
Hiring Range: $140,000-$160,000 with Benefits
Location: Position is based in Richmond, VA. Hybrid, remote work.
To apply: This position will remain posted until the job is filled. The preferred application deadline is May 4th. Target start date is by early July.
Submit the following along with filling out the form located at the bottom of the application.
Cover letter
Résumé
Three references (We will not contact references until later in the hiring process.)
About Communities In Schools (CIS) of Virginia
Communities In Schools (CIS) of Virginia supports a growing network of affiliate offices across the Commonwealth, helping students stay in school and achieve in life through the proven CIS model of Integrated Student Supports. The state office provides strategic leadership, technical assistance, and resource development to sustain and grow high-quality programs that meet evolving community needs.
The CIS of Virginia (CIS-VA) office is a small, but high energy organization supporting 6 independent affiliates and one emerging affiliate across Virginia in adherence to guidelines developed by the CIS national office. Our role is to drive statewide growth and help ensure local affiliates have the tools and capacity to provide and sustain strong student services in their local communities.
Position Summary
The Vice President of Advancement is a senior leader responsible for shaping and executing the long-term resource strategy for Communities In Schools of Virginia (CIS-VA). This role drives all aspects of fundraising, communications, and external engagement, with a sharp focus on securing transformational gifts that ensure the sustainability and growth of the organization and the network. The VP of Advancement is not only the chief architect of development strategy at CIS-VA but also a convener and partner across the statewide CIS network—leading collaborative fundraising initiatives with affiliates and elevating the brand to new levels of visibility and influence.
Essential Functions
The Vice President of Advancement is responsible for:
Strategic Fundraising and Implementation
Lead the development of statewide fundraising initiatives in partnership with CIS affiliates, building shared strategies to attract corporate, foundation, and individual investors
Design and execute a multi-year advancement strategy that integrates public funding, major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation support, planned giving, annual fund, and events
Partner closely with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to secure seven and eight-figure gifts
Develop clear metrics for success and report progress to leadership and the Board. Keeps the Board informed of philanthropy activities; provides data relevant to tracking fundraising progress and planning
Strengthen the organization’s advancement infrastructure that includes database management and prospect identification and management. Develops and manages the annual budget for the Development Department throughout the year in collaboration with the President & CEO
Evaluate fundraising activities annually to ensure quality, productivity, and relevance toward meeting goals
Working collaboratively with the Grants Management position, the VP of Advancement will be responsible for the development and execution of the annual development communications calendar
Donor Relationship and Engagement
Build strong relationships across the organization, ensuring fundraising and communications are integrated with program and policy goals and anchored with strong data and evaluation
Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and alignment across the Virginia network to maximize donor engagement and collective impact
Represent CIS-VA as a thought leader and external ambassador with funders, coalitions, and statewide partners
Build and manage a portfolio of transformational prospects and donors, cultivating multi-year commitments that sustain and grow the organization’s capacity
Leadership and Supervision
Oversee advancement team members to ensure alignment and excellence
As assigned by the president, represent CIS-VA at national, statewide, and local CIS meetings (to include affiliate board meetings)
Visit affiliate programming in action to build understanding of the CIS model and programs
Work with appropriate CIS-VA staff to assist with replication and expansion activities as it relates to fundraising and communications
Provides ongoing performance feedback and direction to development staff
Educates and empowers staff to enhance their effectiveness in development activities
Communication and Marketing
Oversee all CIS-VA branded communications, both print- and web-based/social, to advance key statewide strategies, promote visibility, and ensure messaging consistency to key stakeholders
Ensure marketing and communications activities are aligned to the strategic plan, relevant resource development plans, and CIS national branding guidelines
Create and share collateral for affiliate dissemination in alignment with the marketing and communications strategic plan
Work with consultants or internal staff on all communications efforts
Serve as lead CIS-VA contact with CIS national marketing and communications staff
Oversee development and marketing and communications budget
Desired Qualifications:
Excellent candidates who don’t meet every single qualification listed but believe they can elevate our mission by effectively leading our strategic advancement initiatives are still encouraged to apply.
10+ years of progressive advancement or fundraising experience, with at least 5 in senior leadership
Demonstrated success securing major and transformational gifts ($1M+ preferred)
Experience with government grants and statewide policy engagement
Proven experience in collaborative or network-wide fundraising initiatives
Strong leadership and team-building skills with a track record of mentoring and developing staff
Exceptional communication and relationship-building abilities
Passion for CIS’s mission of removing barriers to student success and ensuring access to opportunity for every learner
Details
This is a full-time, salaried position based in Richmond, VA. The position reports to CIS-VA’s CEO and leads the Development team, with positions covering grant management and communications. CIS-VA provides a Hybrid work schedule with Mondays and Fridays at home and Tuesdays through Thursdays in office. Travel is as needed.
Compensation and benefits
The salary for this position is $140,000 - $160,000. Comprehensive package including medical, dental, and vision health insurance, a retirement plan with company matching, paid time off, and professional development.
CIS of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.
To be considered, you must submit a resumé, cover letter, and three references.
