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Vice President of Development
Development Department
The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties
Utica, NY
For nearly 60 years, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties has been connecting people who care to causes that matter. As it approaches this milestone anniversary, the Foundation is a strong, respected community institution dedicated to building a vibrant, healthy and economically viable region that provides opportunities for all people to reach their highest potential.
To prepare for the next 60 years, the Foundation embarked on a strategic planning process in 2010, facilitated by the nationally-recognized Aspen Institute’s Community Strategies Group. The new strategic plan, formally adopted in February, 2011, includes a new values statement as well as refreshed mission and vision statements. The plan uses four implementation strategies to pursue the Foundation’s goals for the community including: 1) Leverage the full range of the Foundation resources to produce desired, measurable results on critical community issues and opportunities; 2) Increase and develop the Foundation’s relationships and the community’s awareness and understanding of its role; 3) Build the Foundation’s financial assets available to catalyze community betterment; and 4) Ensure and align management, governance and infrastructure capacity to achieve its strategic goals.
During the summer of 2011, the Foundation enlisted FSG to complete a cost-revenue study to evaluate its staffing and infrastructure and determine how resources should be aligned to achieve the first three goals. After careful study, it was determined that the Foundation could no longer rely on the President and CEO to complete all of the necessary resource development and should hire a full-time vice president of development to formally pursue a new individual gifts fund development program.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
As a newly created senior position, the vice president is the chief advancement officer, responsible for establishing and implementing a formal individual gifts program, including principal gifts, major gifts, annual fund, donor relations and marketing/communications on a moves management platform, to achieve the Foundation’s strategic objectives.
This position has leadership of the Community Foundation’s giving strategies, asset development; awareness building, advertising and marketing; donor prospecting, cultivation and recognition; publicity and publications; strategic alliances with financial service firms and other professional advisors; estate planner cultivation; contributions policies and procedures; mailing list maintenance and segmentation; special events and activities; product development, updating, and marketing for planned and current giving.
Specific duties include:
- Lead of team of professionals in the Development Department -- As leader of the Development Team, the Vice President is responsible for assuring that team members
- Propose, achieve and document progress toward development goals
- Serve as a resource to professional advisors and prospective donors in establishing funds that reflect both their values and philanthropic goals
- Grow contributions, including additions by existing donors, and increases in discretionary and other endowed assets
- Build a prospect pipeline, moves management system and grow donor participation
- Increase professional advisor and donor referrals and develop additional contacts with advisors, donors and prospects
- Create or enhance the marketing and development components of the new strategic plan including:
- Execute fund development, marketing & communications, planned giving and donor services to enhance revenue streams
- Develop and cultivate strategic alliances with financial service firms
- Oversee advertising, direct mail, and other awareness building efforts among target audiences;
- Identifying new donor prospects and orchestrate their introduction, cultivation and ultimate involvement with the Foundation;
- Maximizing the use of technology to capture and track donor information, segment audiences, and communicate with external constituencies
- Oversee and enhance existing marketing and development activities:
- Events, including an annual event, estate planning seminars and other continuing education programs and campaigns
- The annual report and newsletters
- Limited broadcast and print advertising
- Public relations
- Legacy Society
- General website and gift planning website (including a component for professional advisors)
- Donor prospecting
- Current gift and gift planning tools including endowment and current gift funds
- Hiring and supervision of development and marketing staff and consultants:
- Oversight of staff, consultants and volunteers to carry out development and marketing functions
- Development and oversight of implementation of a departmental budget and work plan
- Delivery of gift processing and fund development with utmost quality and in accordance with the strictest requirements of the law
- Participation in professional development programs of the community foundation field on a regular basis
Given the dynamic nature of the Foundation’s work, the job will inevitably grow and change over time. The Vice President’s recommendations for these changes, and participation in their implementation, will be a crucial element in advancing the Foundation’s ability to carry out its mission. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned by the President as need dictates.
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS
The Vice President will report to the President and CEO, Peggy O’Shea, and serve on her senior management team. Peggy has been with the Foundation since 2000 holding the positions of Senior Program Officer and Director of Programs and Development before being appointed President and CEO in 2005. During her tenure, Peggy has increased the staff by three and implemented two strategic planning processes. A longtime resident of the area, she is dedicated to the mission “To improve life and livelihood in our region The Community Foundation advances leadership on community solutions and philanthropy that connects people who care with causes that matter.” With Peggy at the helm, the total assets of the Foundation have grown from $55M to $92M and over $35M in grants have been made in support of the vision “The Community Foundation envisions a vibrant, healthy and economically viable region that provides opportunities for all people to reach their highest potential.”
The Vice President will supervise the Director of Donor Services, Elayne Johnson, the Marketing and Communications Officer (currently vacant) and the Data Manager, Wendy Caliguire. Elayne Johnson has been with the Foundation since 1998 and focuses her work on donor and fund stewardship. Wendy Caliguire joined the Foundation in 2005 after holding several positions for the County of Herkimer County. Since joining the Foundation, her work has involved database management for the purpose of tracking grant requests and processing payments, research support and mailings.
A key role for the Vice President will be staffing the Marketing and Development Committee of the Board of Trustees. Currently chaired by Linda Cohen, a trustee elected in 2008, the Committee has been involved in the strategic planning process and development of the Vice President’s position.
IDEAL QUALITIES AND EXPERIENCE: Due to the complex requirements of the position, the Foundation requires candidates for the Vice President position to hold a Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred) or equivalent and a minimum of eight years experience leading individual giving programs or community foundation advancement efforts. The ideal candidate will have a background managing a team, projects and volunteers. Because the position will require extensive relationship building with prospects, as well as regular presentations to groups, extroverted individuals with strong interpersonal, oral and written communications skills should highlight these skills in the cover letter. Candidates with a sense of humor and desiring to make a difference for the community are most welcome.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The Foundation is committed to a competitive salary and benefits plan that provides opportunities for education, professional development and supports work-life balance.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
The Foundation is located in Utica, New York, part of the Gateway Region of Oneida and Herkimer Counties. Applicants will find world-class entertainment at the historic Stanley Theatre, an eclectic choice in quality local restaurants, and events and activities for every arts and cultural taste. The area offers all of the benefits of urban life in one of New York’s Erie Canal cities with proximity to the outdoors for four season fun. Skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, rock climbers, hikers, mountain bikers, fisherman and golfers will all find a range of opportunities. To learn more about all that Oneida and Herkimer Counties have to offer, visit: http://oneidacountycvb.com and http://www.herkimercountychamber.com.
TO APPLY
Inquiries, applications (including a resume, cover letter and three professional references), and nominations should be directed to Peggy O’Shea at moshea@foundationhoc.org. Please list VP Development in the e-mail subject line. A review of candidates will begin immediately and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Only candidates who are being actively considered will be contacted.
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HERKIMER AND ONEIDA
IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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