Vice President, Philanthropy

ACS•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President of Philanthropy serves as the lead fundraising officer for ACS and provides strategic leadership for all philanthropic activities. The Office of Philanthropy works to support and advance the Society’s mission to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community, and champion scientific integrity. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President of Philanthropy is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that both deepens and grows philanthropic support for ACS priorities. The VP will work in close partnership with the CEO, COO, programmatic leadership, philanthropy staff, and the Board of Directors to deepen existing relationships, identify significant and timely sources of support, and expand ACS’s long-term philanthropic pipeline. The Vice President will lead the development of a high-performing fundraising enterprise, cultivate transformational philanthropic partnerships, and build a culture of philanthropy across ACS. The VP will oversee principal and major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, donor stewardship, campaign strategy, and philanthropy operations, while helping shape the systems, talent, and cross-functional partnerships needed to accelerate fundraising growth and organizational readiness.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including significant experience securing major and principal gifts.
Demonstrated success leading comprehensive fundraising programs with annual and campaign fundraising goals exceeding $20 million.
Experience building relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, corporations, and scientific or technical stakeholders.
Proven ability to lead and upskill high-performing teams.
Demonstrated success leading organizational growth, change, or transformation in a complex advancement or fundraising environment.
Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills.
Strong financial and analytical skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in scientific, higher education, research, healthcare, engineering, or STEM-focused nonprofit organizations.
Familiarity with scientific research funding landscape.
Experience supporting national organizations with complex governance structures and volunteer boards.
Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential or equivalent professional certification.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year philanthropic strategy aligned with ACS's strategic plan and organizational priorities.
Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, COO, Board of Directors, and ACS leadership on philanthropic opportunities and trends.
Contribute to enterprise-wide strategy, organizational planning, and executive decision-making as a senior leader, ensuring philanthropic priorities are aligned with ACS's long-term strategic and operational goals.
Champion and embed a culture of philanthropy across ACS by fostering awareness, engagement, and shared accountability for philanthropic success among leaders, staff, and volunteers.
Lead the development of annual and multi-year business plans for the philanthropy function, including revenue projections, resource allocation, investment priorities, and key performance metrics.
Oversee and manage the philanthropy budget, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, responsible stewardship of resources, and transparency in financial planning and reporting.
Lead the philanthropy function in achieving an annual fundraising goal of $25M, within the next three years, through clear strategy, strong pipeline management, and consistent execution.
Establish and oversee regular performance reporting, forecasting, and accountability mechanisms to monitor progress, identify risks, and ensure achievement of annual and long-range fundraising objectives.
Develop and execute stakeholder engagement strategies across internal and external constituencies to build alignment, strengthen relationships, and advance philanthropic priorities, including partnering with ACS leaders to identify funding opportunities and develop competitive proposals.
Identify and develop opportunities to transform the philanthropy function for the more effective advancement of ACS priorities.
Manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects capable of making seven- and eight-figure gifts.
Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts for principal, major, and planned gifts.
Design and execute fundraising campaigns, including comprehensive and targeted campaigns.
Serve as an external ambassador for ACS, representing the organization with donors, prospective donors, foundation leaders, corporate partners, and other key stakeholders to strengthen visibility, credibility, and philanthropic investment.
Build and sustain a strong donor pipeline through prospect identification, relationship strategy, retention, and upgrading pathways that support long-term philanthropic growth.
Expand relationships with private foundations, corporate partners, and industry leaders across the sciences ecosystem.
Develop strategic funding partnerships that support ACS programs, research, education, workforce initiatives, and public impact.
Assess and evolve the philanthropy function’s structure, roles, capabilities, and talent strategy to support growth, accountability, and sustained performance.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing philanthropy team.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and results-oriented work environment.
Promote best practices in donor engagement, stewardship, prospect management, and fundraising operations.
Oversee fundraising operations, donor services, prospect research, gift administration, reporting, and analytics.
Lead the review of philanthropy technology such as Raiser’s Edge and Salesforce for tracking, reports, and analytics.
Ensure compliance with all legal, ethical, and financial standards governing charitable giving.
Lead the development and implementation of policies, governance practices, and operating standards for philanthropic activities, ensuring alignment with ACS standards, regulatory requirements, transparency, and institutional integrity.
Develop robust stewardship and donor recognition programs that demonstrate impact and inspire continued support.
Utilize data and technology to improve fundraising effectiveness and donor engagement.
Partner with ACS leadership, Board of Directors, and Development Advisory Board to advance fundraising goals through strategy development, donor engagement planning, and effective execution.