Senior Vice President of Advancement

RFKCA•Lancaster, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Vice President of Advancement is a key member of RFKCA's Executive Leadership Team and a strategic partner to the President & CEO. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the SVP works closely with the executive team and the Board of Trustees to advance the organization's philanthropic goals and strengthen relationships with donors, community leaders, and strategic partners. This is a leadership role for an accomplished major gifts fundraiser and senior manager who is energized by building meaningful donor relationships and creating a sustainable culture of philanthropy. The SVP will lead the organization's comprehensive advancement team efforts with a clear emphasis on expanding and strengthening its major gifts program. Marketing and communications, annual giving, special events, and community engagement will serve as integrated strategies that cultivate prospects, deepen donor engagement, and support long-term philanthropic growth. The SVP will personally lead the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of the organization's highest-capacity donors while developing strategies to identify new prospects and significantly expand the major gift pipeline. Working closely with the President & CEO, Board members, and other volunteer leaders, the SVP will help position RFKCA for transformational philanthropic growth by building authentic, long-term relationships with individuals, foundations, corporations, and community partners. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the SVP will collaborate across the organization to align fundraising priorities with strategic and programmatic goals, ensuring that advancement efforts help fuel the agency's continued growth and mission impact. The SVP will also strengthen Board engagement in philanthropy by partnering with Trustees on donor cultivation and solicitation, supporting their fundraising leadership, and helping develop a pipeline of future Board members from the organization's major donor community. RFKCA has made a significant investment in the future of its advancement program by engaging Copley Raff, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive organizational assessment. Copley Raff identified key opportunities to strengthen fundraising capacity and developed a strategic roadmap for future growth. The incoming SVP will have the opportunity to build upon this work, implement priority recommendations, and lead the organization's next phase of philanthropic growth. The current interim SVP, part of the Copley Raff team, will support the transition and onboarding. The SVP also serves as a visible ambassador for RFKCA, representing the organization throughout the community while fostering relationships that increase awareness, engagement, and philanthropic investment in the organization's mission.

Requirements

Extensive experience leading major gifts fundraising with a demonstrated record of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding transformational gifts, including at least five years of senior leadership experience.
Proven success securing six-figure gifts and building sustainable major gift pipelines.
Experience partnering closely with a President & CEO and Board of Trustees to achieve ambitious philanthropic goals.
Proven staff management experience.
Demonstrated ability to develop authentic relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, corporations, and community leaders.
Experience leading and mentoring advancement professionals while building collaborative, high-performing teams.
Keen understanding of how marketing, communications, grants, annual giving, events, and community engagement can be strategically leveraged to strengthen donor relationships and advance fundraising.
Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills, with the executive presence to represent the organization externally.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace and advancing RFKCA’s mission and values.

Nice To Haves

CFRE credential preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner closely with the President & CEO to develop and execute a comprehensive major gifts strategy that significantly increases philanthropic support.
Personally manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, leading the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of transformational gifts.
Build and strengthen a sustainable pipeline of major gift prospects through strategic relationship development, thoughtful donor engagement, and effective moves management.
Develop fundraising strategies that increase giving from individuals while strengthening support from foundations, corporations, and community partners.
Manage a portfolio of 50 - 60 principal and major donors/prospects and create cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for key gifts.
Work collaboratively with executive and program leadership to identify compelling funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
Lead the Organizational Advancement team, including major gifts, grants, annual giving, marketing and communications, special events, and community engagement.
Ensure all advancement functions work together to support donor acquisition, cultivation, stewardship, and long-term relationship building.
Establish measurable goals and performance metrics across the department, ensuring annual fundraising and engagement objectives are achieved.
Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture focused on continuous improvement and donor-centered fundraising.
Serve as strategic advisor to the President & CEO on philanthropy, donor strategy, and external engagement.
Partner with the Board of Trustees and Board Development Committee to strengthen Trustee engagement in fundraising and donor relationship-building.
Support Trustees in cultivating and soliciting major donors while helping identify future Board members from the organization's philanthropic network.
Serve as an ambassador for RFKCA, building relationships that enhance the organization's visibility and reputation throughout the region.