Vice President, Development and Donor Engagement

ABOUT SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Silicon Valley Community Foundation is a regional catalyst, connector, and collaborator. We bring together the resources and skills of donors, business, government, and community to solve some of our region’s toughest challenges. We promote philanthropy in our region and support philanthropists to invest with impact. Through advocacy, research, policy and grantmaking, we seek systemic solutions to drive enduring community change. Learn more at siliconvalleycf.org. 

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a full-time, exempt level position in Mountain View, California.

SVCF’s work environment is based on a holistic wellness approach and therefore, has embraced a hybrid remote/office work environment. All SVCF team members must be based and hold residency in California and must be able to regularly attend team and staff meetings, trainings and other gathering in Mountain View when required.

JOB SUMMARY

SVCF is seeking an experienced leader for its development and donor engagement department and team. Reporting to the Executive Vice President, Philanthropic Partnerships, the Vice President, Development and Donor Engagement is responsible for enabling a world-class donor experience through exceptional donor stewardship and the management of a talented, high performing staff, ensuring implementation of SVCF customer service standards and meeting its fundraising goals each year. The candidate will have a proven track record of principal, major gifts, annual fund, and donor-advised fund/special initiatives fundraising, with an understanding of planned giving and the importance of building endowment assets. 

This position is entrusted with the strategic design and execution of sophisticated cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that drive substantial results in meeting the team's fundraising and stewardship goals, which includes establishing new gifts, stewarding current and prospective donors, and implementing planned giving initiatives. This role also includes managing a team of fundraising professionals, philanthropic advisors and administrative staff for helping to develop and implement the strategy that seeks to support SVCF's role as a global social enterprise and the premier philanthropic partner for charitably minded individuals, families and corporations in Silicon Valley.

This position requires effective leadership, management and supervisory skills, informed by proactive customer service experience. It also will require a deep understanding of issues facing underserved communities and the ability to articulate those issues, all while building and maintaining strong relationships with a diverse set of donors.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

SVCF seeks a professional with a demonstrated track record of management experience; fundraising, donor advising and engagement; commitment to the power of community philanthropy and the common good; innate curiosity and the desire to continue learning; a collegial work style; a sense of humor; the ability to inspire, motivate, and mentor a team of professionals; and, the dedication to work hard toward the foundation’s mission of promoting philanthropy and improving the quality of life in the region. SVCF is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and seeks to continue to build a diverse and inclusive workforce to promote effective work in partnership with all communities and population groups in the region.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise a team of Fundraisers, Philanthropy Advisors, and others to provide excellent customer service and expediency in donors’ grantmaking and philanthropic journeys, providing technical knowledge and strategic supervision to optimize team performance
• Oversee the development and execution of fundraising initiatives (including principal and major gifts, legacy gifts, complex gifts and transformational fundraising)
• Identify new prospects and develop tailored cultivation strategies
• Cultivate and foster relationships with all donors, ensuring effective stewardship, partnership and long-term engagement
• In partnership with the Executive Vice President, Philanthropic Partnerships, lead the development department strategy to continually improve outreach and expand partnerships with a wide variety of clients including individuals, professional advisors, family offices and corporations
• Collaborate with other departments to integrate a culture of philanthropy into overall strategies
• Provide strategic oversight for team fundraising programs and events, ensuring they align with organizational goals
• Represent SVCF at current and prospective donor events, building strong partnerships and deepening relationships with attendees
• Expand the development department's network, strategic partnerships, customer service and differentiating community foundation's brand
• Work in partnership with the Executive Vice President, Philanthropic Partnerships to establish team goals, work plans, and project priorities
• Manage and supervise teams well to ensure their progress towards the departmental plans and projects; oversee their management of subsequent reports
• Work in collaboration with the Executive Vice President, Philanthropic Partnerships and other key staff for major, complex and unusual gift prospects
• Oversee the department prospect assignment process and maintain a lead role with a selected variety of prospects
• Establish and manage the department budget
• Participate actively in strategy development and implementation as a member of the SVCF Leadership Team

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED SKILLS

• 10 or more years demonstrated experience in senior level technical and complex fundraising and gift planning for community foundations or other donor-advised fund (DAF) providers
• Bachelor's degree
• Demonstrated expertise in complex and large gift transactions including planned gifts, gifts of complex assets, and real property
• Proven track record of bringing in significant ($1M-plus) gifts
• Deep technical knowledge of tax matters and other legal requirements related to fundraising, DAFs, and legacy or planned gifts
• Demonstrated effort to maintain and improve knowledge in the above areas
• Strong strategic and leadership experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills for multiple and diverse internal and external audiences
• Previous demonstrated experience with leading and managing a development function in a public benefit organization
• Excellent people and project management skills, with an ability to manage a sizeable team and work in diverse groups
• Demonstrated experience with high-net worth donor advising and engagement through events and execution of innovative, effective strategies and philanthropic services
• Strong networker with ability to build strategic relationships with donors and external partners and stakeholders
• Commitment to philanthropy, impact strategies and the support and advancement of the nonprofit community’s impact in SVCF's and donors’ strategic priorities
• Awareness of local, national, and international issues of importance to donors and the philanthropic sector
• An understanding of the complexities related to IRS regulations, philanthropic tools and vehicles, and foundation-specific compliance
• Demonstrated track record of inspiring, motivating and mentoring a team

Additionally, the successful candidate will likely have:

• J.D. or extensive professional advisor experience

SALARY AND BENEFITS

SVCF is committed to offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. The target hiring range for this position is $230,000 to $260,000 per year based on experience, credentials and internal salary equity.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes generous medical, dental, and vision plans; paid time off; holidays and employer contribution and matching to a 403(b) retirement plan.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All applications are held in strict confidence. Please submit your credentials and a letter of interest through our private applicant portal to The 360 Group at:

https://the360group.us/portal/

Applications should be directed to the attention of Monica Rodgers, Senior Consultant. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Earlier applicants may receive priority consideration. To be considered, The 360 Group encourages all interested candidates to submit their applications promptly, via the confidential applicant portal linked above.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent in this position.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION

Silicon Valley Community Foundation has a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.  We are committed to building a team that is representative of our community.

 SVCF is an equal opportunity employer.  Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, political affiliation, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

 SVCF is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.  As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions, of employment, please contact humanresources@siliconvalleycf.org.  Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format and/or using specialized equipment. 

Salary : $230,000 - $260,000