Senior Vice President, Institutional Advancement

Missouri Botanical Garden•St. Louis, MO

4d•$225,000 - $260,000

About The Position

The Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement (SVP IA) provides strategic leadership for all fundraising, membership, donor engagement, and advancement operations at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Reporting directly to the President and Director and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the SVP integrates philanthropy and partnership development into the Garden’s mission and strategic plan. The SVP leads a comprehensive advancement program encompassing major gifts, annual and capital campaigns, foundation and corporate relations, planned giving, membership, special events, stewardship, and advancement operations. The role builds a culture of philanthropy across the Garden and aligns relationships, systems, and resources to support sustainable philanthropic growth and long-term institutional impact. The advancement department has 35 staff members, including four direct reports, and an operating budget of $4.8 million. The SVP will build on a strong fundraising and membership foundation while expanding donor engagement locally, nationally, and internationally; using data and technology strategically; engaging new generations of donors; strengthening institution-wide philanthropy; and preparing for future comprehensive campaigns. The position is based in St. Louis, Missouri.

Requirements

Significant executive-level advancement leadership experience within a nonprofit, higher education, cultural, conservation, healthcare, or similarly complex organization.
Demonstrated success securing and stewarding transformational gifts and institutional support locally and globally.
Experience leading comprehensive fundraising programs, campaigns, and advancement operations.
Track record of building and mentoring high-performing teams.
Strong financial, analytical, and strategic planning capabilities.
Experience working closely with executive leaders, governing boards, and volunteers.
Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
Bachelor’s degree required; equivalent combinations of education, experience, and demonstrated fundraising success will be considered.
Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification required.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree and/or relevant professional certifications preferred, in addition to the required CFRE.
Bilingual proficiency is highly preferred; conversational fluency in French, Spanish, and/or Portuguese is a strong asset.
Strategic vision combined with disciplined execution.
Intellectual curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Collaborative leadership and emotional intelligence.
Personal integrity, humility, and credibility.
Genuine appreciation for the Garden’s mission and its role in advancing knowledge, conservation, and public engagement.

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic advisor and partner to the President, Board of Trustees, and Executive Leadership Team, integrating philanthropy into institutional planning, policy development, and decision-making.
Develop and implement a comprehensive local and global advancement strategy covering annual, capital, endowment, and planned giving priorities.
Partner with the President and Board leadership to identify and fund institutional initiatives, cultivate prospective donors, and secure transformational gifts.
Represent the Garden in donor and philanthropic settings and foster trust, transparency, and alignment between advancement and programmatic divisions.
Lead local and global fundraising programs, including major gifts, capital campaigns, annual giving, corporate and foundation support, planned giving, and special initiatives.
Partner with the President and Board to manage, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of transformational six- and seven-figure gifts.
Expand and diversify the donor pipeline through prospect research, engagement strategies, and data-driven approaches with accessible performance metrics.
Oversee advancement materials and donor communications with the Communications & Marketing Division and President & Director to ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment.
Oversee general, upper-level, and corporate membership programs, strengthening retention, engagement, and upgrading pathways.
Lead stewardship, recognition, donor relations, and major events that build loyalty, inspire philanthropy, and strengthen community connection and institutional visibility.
Ensure fundraising and membership operations are efficient, data-informed, and technologically advanced.
Serve as principal staff liaison to the Development and Nominating Committees and related Board and volunteer groups, providing strategy briefings, performance updates, and fundraising metrics.
Partner with Board members and volunteer leaders to activate their networks and advance fundraising goals.
Build relationships with major donors, community leaders, corporate partners, and foundations, and represent the Garden at external events locally and globally.