Vice President of Development

Position Highlights

The Vice President of Development will be joining colleagues dedicated to the organization’s mission in an environment where teamwork thrives. The Vice President will be leading a talented team that includes a Major Gifts Officer, Development Officer, Communications and Events Manager, Volunteer Program Manager, and Development Associate. Given the importance of this team’s efforts in meeting the agency’s mission, the Vice President must be an excellent manager, motivator, and mentor who can bring out the best in each individual while also ensuring the team is working together at its best. Clear individual and team goals based on a sound annual development and communications plan will be key so that each team member understands their role in the overall effort. Habitat promotes creative thinking and continuous learning, and the Vice President should be a champion for both. Taking an interest in each team member’s personal and professional development will be critical to the success of the team.

Building a diversified funding base with an emphasis on expanding annual and major gift opportunities ($10,000+) has been a priority for the last five years and will continue to be so. The CEO, Vice President, Major Gift Officer, and Development Officer will all carry major gift portfolios, with the Vice President leading and guiding this work. The comprehensive Weavers Grove campaign provides an opportunity and creates an urgency for the Vice President to take the major gifts program to a higher level and ensure that the annual fund is attracting new donors, retaining existing donors, and moving donors to greater levels of commitment. The Vice President will be an important member of the Campaign Leadership Team for the public phase of the campaign along with the CEO, campaign co-chairs, and campaign consultants. The Board is fully aware of the need to grow the fundraising program and have actively participated in the capital campaign.

Out of the FY23 fundraising revenue goal of $1,650,000, it is anticipated that approximately 56% will be raised from individuals, 16% from corporations, 11% from student groups and other organizations, 10% from foundations and 7% from faith-based groups. Planned and estate gifts have increased by 200% over the past few years and will continue to be a part of any diversified strategy. Women Build, CEO Build, Home Preservation, and Habitat’s annual events are all opportunities to attract new donors, in addition to connecting local donors with Habitat International’s global work.

Habitat stages two major annual fundraising events along with several smaller events throughout the year. The annual fall House Party is the organization’s largest and longest-running event. The event has more than doubled in revenue in the past few years with the 23rd Annual House Party in 2021 raising a record $172,000 with over 180 people in attendance. In 2021, Habitat premiered its Farm to Table Dinner fundraiser. This past May, the event raised $158,000 and introduced the organization to many high networth new donors from throughout the Orange County area. A number of significant events are planned for the future including a campaign culmination celebration as well as a 40th anniversary event in 2024. The Vice President will be taking on a program with a solid and well-deserved reputation for stewardship built on a sophisticated use of eTapestry for its donor and prospect database. Continuing to introduce best practices and initiating internal process evaluation and improvement procedures will make a strong fundraising program even stronger. The new development leader must be organized, a consummate networker, and have an eye for determining and prioritizing the best opportunities to make connections and create greater awareness of Habitat’s impact.

The Vice President should be comfortable in front of groups of all sizes, with the ability to inspire and move an audience to action through various speaking opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Leads the creation, monitoring, and evaluation of a diversified, comprehensive written development and communications plan with clearly defined goals, objectives, timelines, and assignment of responsibilities.

• Motivates, supervises, evaluates, and mentors the development team and creates a supportive, collaborative, productive, and healthy work environment based on respect, teamwork, and clear expectations and responsibilities.

• Maintains a comprehensive prospect list of major donors. Is personally responsible for a portfolio of prospects from the list. Collaborates with volunteers and the Board in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of donors and prospects.

• Continues to focus on building a robust prospect pipeline and moves management system.

• Serves as an active member of the staff leadership team and the Weavers Grove campaign leadership team.

• Makes regular progress reports to the CEO and Board and keeps the staff fully informed.

• Ensures that staff receive the professional development and resources (within budget constraints) to stay current in their fields and productive at work.

• Provides or secures fundraising training as needed for the Board or other volunteers.

• Is a passionate and informed advocate for Habitat and serves as one of the key spokespersons for the organization. Looks for opportunities (or positions the CEO or other key leadership) to attend community events or serve on community panels or initiatives that position the organization for improved fundraising and visibility.

• Ensures that all communications and marketing materials (written, verbal, or electronic) have a consistent message and look. This includes but is not limited to fundraising materials, acknowledgements to donors, annual reports, newsletters, website, and proposals.

• Oversees and evaluates all processes and procedures related to fundraising including stewardship activities (donor database, acknowledgements, and recognition), gift acceptance policies, contributions management, and communications/marketing style guidelines and messaging.

• Formulates an annual development program budget and monitors budget throughout the year.

• Has a thorough knowledge of the history, programs, and major milestones of the organization and the key leadership, volunteers, and donors who have contributed to its success.

Preferred Qualifications and Education

• Bachelor’s degree or substantial equivalent experience.

• 5-plus years of professional experience in a nonprofit organization, with a proven track record of fundraising success. Experience with fundraising in the greater Orange County area a plus.

• Demonstrates integrity, treats colleagues and donors with respect, puts the fundraising needs of the organization above personal ambitions, and maintains confidentiality.

• Passion for the mission of Habitat for Humanity; empathy for the people Habitat serves.

• Fearless and smart fundraiser with experience in the full range of fundraising including major gifts, annual fund, sponsorships, grants, special events, planned giving, and capital campaigns.

• Exceptional planning skills; goal, results, and detail-oriented with the ability to set and meet deadlines. Able to construct, articulate, implement, and evaluate written annual plans.

• Commitment to diversity and a history of working effectively with colleagues, volunteers, prospects and donors irrespective of their economic status, ethnicity, gender identity, educational level, or sexual orientation.

• Proven track record for achieving ambitious revenue targets in a highly competitive environment as well as creating new programs and/or improving existing programs.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and key stakeholders and build long-term relationships. Comfortable with Habitat homeowners as well as corporate executives and people of wealth.

• Understanding of the relationship of housing insecurity and poverty to a systemically racist framework of U.S. housing policy.

• Can clearly and effectively articulate Habitat’s case for support using a combination of homeowner, volunteer, and donor stories and facts and figures related to need and impact.

• Enthusiastic and skilled networker who enjoys getting out into the community, attending events, and participating in civic groups and activities that position the organization for success. • History of leading effective communication and marketing efforts related to fundraising or awareness, including both social and traditional media.

• Team management and staff supervision experience required, with the ability to create a shared commitment to the mission and a creative, healthy work environment.

• Flexible and adaptable work style with the ability to work some nights and weekends, manage competing demands and work independently without close oversight; creative with a sense of humor.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $70,000 – $105,000 and is commensurate with experience and abilities.

To apply: In one document please submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements and send via email to:

Ms. Alyn Valdivia
Human Resources Manager
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
careers@orangehabitat.org

Applications will be accepted until September 23, 2022 or until the position is filled.

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. A short presentation and work samples will be required from semi-finalists who will be notified after the application deadline. At least five references will be required for finalists. Academic, credit, and criminal checks will be conducted before a final offer is made.