Vice President of Philanthropy

JVS Boston•Boston, MA

3d•$120 - $130

About The Position

JVS is a non-profit, non-sectarian agency. Our mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers and to partner with employers to hire, develop and retain productive workforces. JVS provides a broad range of services including adult education, skills training, job readiness training, job placement and support, and access to post-secondary education. JVS assists employers in their search for well-qualified job applicants and their initiatives to upgrade the skills of their incumbent workforce. POSITION SUMMARY The Vice President of Philanthropy is a senior leader within the Advancement Department and a key strategic partner to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). This role provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for JVSâs comprehensive individual philanthropy program, including major gifts, annual giving, stewardship, planned giving, donor engagement, and events. As JVS prepares for a potential comprehensive campaign and navigates a shifting funding landscape, the Vice President of Philanthropy ensures continuity, performance, and alignment across all philanthropic activity. This individual is a highly self-motivated fundraising professional who serves as a thought partner to the CAO, independently managing people, systems, and strategy while ensuring that cultivation, stewardship, and engagement efforts remain strong during periods of organizational complexity and change.

Requirements

5-10 years leading individual philanthropy programs, including major gifts and donor stewardship.
Experience with Salesforce or comparable CRM.
Demonstrated success managing staff and overseeing complex fundraising programs.
Strong donor relationship skills and comfort working with senior volunteers and executives.
Experience overseeing fundraising events, donor engagement strategies, and advancement systems.
Strategic thinker with the ability to operate independently and exercise sound judgment.
Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
Commitment to JVSâs mission and values.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee JVSâs individual giving program, including major gifts, annual giving, stewardship, planned giving, donor engagement, and events.
Partner with the Chief Advancement Officer to set philanthropic goals, monitor progress, and refine strategy in alignment with organizational priorities.
Ensure integration and alignment across all donor touchpoints, engagement strategies, and solicitation efforts.
Collaborate across the agency to develop and maintain a compelling and consistent case for support.
Manage a selective portfolio of major and leadership-level donors and prospects.
Develop and oversee individualized strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-value donors.
Coordinate donor strategies with those managed by the CAO and CEO, as appropriate.
Ensure donor relationships are supported by thoughtful stewardship, meaningful engagement opportunities, and clear communication.
Provide leadership and oversight of JVSâs planned giving efforts.
Ensure appropriate collateral, messaging, and stewardship strategies are in place to support legacy giving.
Partner with the CAO to identify, cultivate, and steward planned giving prospects.
Provide strategic oversight of all donor-facing events, including cultivation, stewardship, and signature events.
Supervise the Advancement and Community Outreach Manager, who is responsible for event execution, logistics, and volunteer engagement.
Ensure events are aligned with philanthropic strategy, advance donor movement, and reinforce JVSâs mission and values.
Evaluate event effectiveness and return on investment, and recommend improvements.
Oversee Advancement operations.
Ensure accurate, strategic use of Salesforce for donor tracking, reporting, and performance analysis.
Review fundraising data, projections, and reports to inform strategy and decision-making.
Manage and mentor the Advancement and Community Outreach Manager and Advancement Operations professional.
Set clear priorities, expectations, and accountability for direct reports.
Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing Advancement team culture.
Partner with the President & CEO and Chief Advancement Officer on Board engagement related to philanthropy.
Support Board members in their roles as ambassadors and solicitors for JVS.
Assist with planning and execution of Board-related fundraising activities.
Partner with the CAO on revenue forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning related to individual giving.
Participate in Advancement leadership meetings and agency-wide collaboration.
Represent JVS professionally with donors, volunteers, and external stakeholders.