Fulfill seeks a dynamic relationship builder for our Vice President of Development & External Relations. Reporting to the President & CEO, this position is a key member of our senior management team and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting the organization. The VP of Development & External Relations provides leadership, strategic direction, and management for all of Fulfill’s fundraising, public awareness, and branding efforts, including special events, community relations, and direct mail. In partnership with the President & CEO, the VP creates fundraising strategies that increase the organization’s support from a variety of sources, including major gifts, federal and state grants, special events, corporate and foundation support, and third-party events. The successful candidate will help identify and cultivate new relationships to build visibility, impact, and financial resources for Fulfill’s mission. It is expected the VP of Development & External Relations will systematically and effectively strengthen Fulfill’s overall fundraising capacity, successively increasing the amount Fulfill raises in future years.
Strategy and Planning
• Partners with the President & CEO to devise and formulate fundraising plans that support the operational and growth plans of the organization. The organization is about to embark upon a capital campaign in support of an ambitious new strategic plan.
• Builds fundraising culture and fundraising capacity of the Board, including working with the Resource Development and Events Committees of the Board of Trustees to develop and implement strategies to meet aggressive fundraising goals.
• Effectively defines and communicates ways to integrate development activities into the pursuit of four strategic goals: 1) sustainable revenue; 2) a culture that attracts and develops top, diverse talent; 3) a strong, resilient pantry network; and 4) a collective impact approach to addressing food insecurity.
• Actively collaborates with the senior management team in short- and long-term work- planning and budgeting in fulfilling the overall organizational mission.
• Supports the President & CEO in external communication/brand positioning strategies; engages and supports the Marketing Subcommittee of the Board of Trustees in executing those strategies.
• Develops budgets, calendars, action plans, materials, procedures and reports for Development to enhance effectiveness and maximize revenue.
Fundraising:
• Leads and manages all fundraising strategies and activities for donor cultivation, solicitation, special events, direct mail, and print materials.
• Maintains a proactive, creative leadership role in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of key donors, both individual and corporate, and oversees the donor recognition program.
• Supports and partners with the President & CEO and the Board of Trustees on all major fundraising initiatives.
• Attends Feeding America (FA) conferences, meetings and participates in FA fundraising and cause marketing calls. Reports to Fulfill’s President & CEO on all FA initiatives with recommendations for participation.
• Collaborates with local, statewide, regional and national hunger relief organizations.
• Develops procedures for third party fundraisers.
Management and Supervision
• Build and grow the Development Department to support the goals, strategies and desired outcomes of the strategic plan.
• Hires, trains, and motivates a diverse and competent development staff committed to the mission and values of Fulfill. Coaches and develops staff to maximize performance, completes performance reviews and makes recommendations to the President & CEO affecting salary and employment decisions.
• Manages the Development Department to ensure that the appropriate staffing, systems, policies and procedures are in place to support fundraising goals in a fiscally sound manner.
• Supervises staff and/or consultants to manage the brand, message, and image of Fulfill.
• Leads, supervises, and supports the department with diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values.
Community Relations
• Serves as a key spokesperson and advocate for Fulfill’s mission and programs in the community.
• Represents Fulfill to community partners, organizations, chambers, government officials, and other prominent community leaders.
• Oversees a robust volunteer engagement program; works to integrate volunteerism into donor relations, and giving into volunteer relations.
Qualifications
• At least 5 years progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising environment.
• A minimum of 3 years supervisory experience is required for this position.
• A proven track record of success and progressive accomplishments in fundraising using a moves management approach, with experience in all, or most, areas of development. Capital campaign experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in managing people and budgets.
• The organizational, time management and people skills necessary to succeed with multiple people engaged in the fundraising process.
• Technologically savvy.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, cultivate relationships with and secure major gifts from new donors.
• Excellent writing and verbal communications skills.
• Availability to attend all major fundraising events and all Board Meetings.
• Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license required.
Personal Qualities:
• A strategist who is adept at planning, prioritizing, multi-tasking, organizing and following through while remaining highly energetic and focused.
• A team builder with strong skills in management and leadership. High emotional intelligence.
• Dynamic, sociable, and positive when engaging with donors, volunteers, and staff.
• Energetic and willing to work hands-on in developing and executing a variety of fundraising activities.
• Committed to Fulfill’s mission and programs.
• Highly entrepreneurial, resourceful and flexible.
• Straightforward, self-motivated, and diplomatic, sharing information readily, listening as well as giving advice and respecting the abilities of others.
• High level of personal integrity, honesty, and confidentiality.
The salary for this position is in the range of $130,000 - $170,000 commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits. Fulfill is an equal opportunity employer and encourages qualified individuals of all backgrounds to apply for this position.
Please apply to [email protected] with cover letter and resume.
About Fulfill:
Fulfill accelerates food security throughout Monmouth & Ocean Counties by leading a collaborative movement that connects people to food and related resources while also addressing systemic barriers to self-sufficiency and well-being.
Fulfill is part of local, state, and national alliances committed to advancing food security for everyone. Food insecurity is part of larger systemic issues that require comprehensive, multi-level approaches. On the ground level, Fulfill collaborates with and supports a network of approximately 300 community-based organizations throughout Ocean and Monmouth Counties to distribute food and connect people to related services. On a systemic level, Fulfill works collaboratively with others to develop a comprehensive, systemic response to food insecurity targeted to addressing its root causes of poverty and social injustice.
Fulfill has an employee base of over 50 employees. Our headquarters is in Neptune (where this position is based), with a satellite branch (The B.E.A.T. Center) in Toms River.
Work Environment
Work is value, goal and deadline-oriented; some travel, driving, walking, standing, bending, lifting and carrying items weighing in excess of 20 pounds; computer work; some extended hours. This position works in an office environment but also requires approximately 60% local travel and will include occasional weekend and evening responsibilities.