Vice President of Development and External Affairs

Historic New England seeks a full-time Vice President of Development and External Affairs (VP-DEA) to lead in advancing and improving the strategic leadership, vision, and oversight of comprehensive advancement, campaign, marketing, communications, and membership activities across the organization. A collaborative and proactive leader, the VP-DEA exemplifies the stature, ability, and proven track record to respond effectively to the opportunities and challenges of the role.

This position is based at the Historic New England offices in Haverhill or Boston, Massachusetts, with limited hybrid-remote work, occasional travel, and flexible availability for evening and weekend work required. New England residency is required within a 40-mile radius of Haverhill or Boston.

Essential Functions

The Vice President of Development and External Affairs (VP-DEA) is responsible for leading Historic New England’s fundraising, marketing, and membership activities, championing the organization’s strategic plan across diverse audiences and platforms. The VP-DEA identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards current and new donors throughout New England and beyond ensuring annual and long-term relational and fundraising goals are met or exceeded. The successful candidate will foster effective communications strategies and support a comprehensive membership program. They are an accomplished leader and mentor for colleagues across the organization, cultivating a supportive and collaborative environment, with the proven ability to lead an ambitious and strategic communications and philanthropy program. The organization has seen incredible growth in membership, external outreach, and fundraising over recent years. The successful candidate will have experience in each of these areas and will have the opportunity to support new approaches and systems to continue the momentum for the future of the organization.  

This VP-DEA will be skilled in researching and identifying funding opportunities and understand the complex nature of stewardship across a broad range of interests and audiences. They will oversee the annual and major gifts program, institutional and foundational support, cultivation events, and capital campaign. The ideal candidate will understand the organization’s work, mission, and future, and will support creative frameworks to tell the story of Historic New England through compelling marketing campaigns, narratives, and new digital platforms. The VP-DEA will demonstrate an understanding of the broad range of interests and involvement of the membership base and will support practices aimed at growth and retention.

While the role of the VP-DEA is focused on development and communications, the successful candidate will be fully engaged in the organization’s public mission and will be a visible ambassador of the organization at every opportunity. Of particular note will be significant involvement of the VP-DEA in a major revitalization initiative Historic New England is undertaking in the city of Haverhill, Massachusetts, where a campus and center for the organization will be established around its world-class collections already located in the city. This project represents a once-in-a-century opportunity to propel Historic New England to higher levels of public engagement, widening its role in the region, and establishing a truly global presence. The VP-DEA will be a central participant in all aspects of planning and execution of this initiative.

Principal Working Relationships

This role supervises and oversees five distinctive externally-oriented areas, with outstanding leaders in place representing a highly capable team:

• Development/Advancement
• Marketing
• Communications
• Membership
• Campaign

In partnership with the CEO, the VP-DEA supports two committees of the Board of Trustees:

• Development
• Governance

Additionally, the VP-DEA partners with the CEO in a range of Ad Hoc or Working Groups initiated by Historic New England and collaborates with senior colleagues in the work of various committees which include trustee and outside members.

Experience and Attributes

Key Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of skilled credentials.
• Minimum ten years of leadership-level development and communications experience.
• Strategic fundraising professional, highly skilled in relationship management with proven experience and success directly soliciting gifts of $10,000 and above.
• Strong development, marketing, and communications background with increasing responsibility.
• Proven record of successful marketing and membership campaigns across diverse platforms and audiences.
• Understanding of a broad range of fundraising activities, including donor prospecting and acquisition, donor events and fulfillment, annual giving, major gifts, grants, planned giving, corporate sponsorship, and capital campaigns.
• Ability to manage, motivate, mentor, and evaluate the development, marketing and membership teams fundraising opportunities.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills with the ability to evoke and engage verbally and in writing.
• Excellent project management skills, supervisory skills, budgeting skills, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex, multi-constituent institutions.
  

Competencies:

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to set and balance priorities and resource allocation.
• Fully competent computer skills, including advanced use of MS Word and Excel
• Excellent communication skills (writing, speaking, presenting, and listening) with the ability to articulate eloquently Historic New England’s mission, aspirations, programs, and pursuit of excellence, which is pervasive throughout the organization.
• Deep understanding of team approach and an objectiveness and respect for diverse perspectives and skillsets.
• Knowledge of New England culture and history.
• Valid driver’s license and means of transportation. New England residency required, within a 40-mile radius of Haverhill or Boston.
• Strong belief in, and demonstrated commitment to, Historic New England’s mission and values.
• Commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, excellence, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA).

Compensation and Benefits

The compensation and benefits package will be competitive and commensurate with the successful candidate’s background and experience.

Historic New England is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.