Vice President of Development

What You'll Do

Reading Partners is seeking a strategic and highly collaborative VP of Development to serve as the chief architect of the organization's national fundraising strategy. This is a pivotal moment for a leader who excels at "the long game"- someone who can translate high-level organizational goals into actionable, multi-year development plans while fostering a culture of excellence across a collaborative ecosystem of national and regional partners. Reporting to the CEO, the VP of Development will be a critical strategic partner, managing a direct portfolio while also coaching the CEO and regional leaders to maximize their fundraising impact.

As the VP of Development, you will lead the charge in securing approximately $10M in annual revenue for the national organization while providing strategic oversight to regional development teams. You will manage a high-performing team of up to five direct reports, encompassing Marketing and Communications, Development Operations, and Frontline Development, ensuring that data-driven moves management and donor stewardship are executed with precision. Beyond direct fundraising, your success will be defined by your ability to manage the CEO's development activities —effectively directing executive engagement to close major deals—and by your capacity to build trust with the National Board and regional Executive Directors as you prepare to transition into a C-suite leadership capacity.

This is an ideal opportunity for a proven leader with high emotional intelligence who can navigate the ambiguity of building new systems and play an essential role in Reading Partners' journey toward sustainable, long-term impact. This role is designed with a clear trajectory for advancement for a successful leader who demonstrates high impact and strategic alignment within their first year.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design and execute a 3-to-5-year development plan and lead "capital campaign" style initiatives to ensure long-term financial sustainability
• Manage the CEO's fundraising portfolio by setting strategy, preparing pitches, and serving as a thought partner to successfully steward and close 7- and 8-figure gifts
• Directly manage a team of up to five FTEs, including a Managing Director of Development (once hired), Marketing and Communication lead, and Development Operations lead
• Provide oversight and support to the regional development teams, providing the coaching and systems necessary for regions to meet their individual fundraising targets
• Maintain a personal portfolio of $2M–$4M, effectively cultivating, closing, and stewarding donors
• Provide real-time, data-driven reporting to the executive team and board regarding pipeline health and progress toward goals
• Actively participate in senior leadership activities, demonstrating the readiness to elevate the role from VP to Chief Development Officer within 12-18 months
• Partner closely with other revenue-generating departments and regional leaders to ensure development strategies are integrated and collaborative across the broader organization
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the National Board of Directors, stewarding key members and leveraging their networks for organizational growth

In order to meet these priorities and fulfill these responsibilities, the ideal VP of Development candidate will have:

• A minimum of ten years of work experience, including at least five years of experience in senior external leadership/fundraising roles
• Proven track record of fundraising success, raising upwards of $7M annually in a nonprofit setting
• Proven success in soliciting and closing 6- and 7-figure gifts for some combination of single donors, corporations, and/or foundations
• Proven ability to take a broad organizational vision and translate it into a concrete, multi-year development strategy and actionable regional goals
• A strong track record of hiring, managing, coaching, and working with leaders to achieve ambitious, measurable results, in both in-person and remote environments
• The ability to drive innovation, change, and growth, and be a detail-oriented implementer who can mobilize teams to translate strategy into results
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to engage, influence, and respond appropriately to various stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience building new teams or systems from scratch, with the flexibility to "weave and shift" when initial plans require course correction
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to serve as a compelling advocate for Reading Partners' work
• A hallmark of leadership characterized by high EQ; the ability to handle failure without "sitting in it," instead focusing on finding creative solutions to move forward
• Demonstrated commitment to Reading Partner's mission, core values, and vision; deep commitment to race, equity, diversity and inclusion (REDI)
• Experience working within a large, diverse, complex organization, with networked structures and multiple stakeholders
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required

Location and Work Environment

This role can be based in one of the Reading Partners markets, which include: Baltimore, MD, Charleston, SC, Dallas- Fort Worth Metropolitan Area, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, New York City, NY, San Francisco Bay Area, CA, Seattle, WA, and Washington, D.C. There is a preference for NYC or the Bay Area. This role requires approximately 25% travel.

Compensation

Reading Partners' compensation and benefits programs are designed to attract, motivate, engage, and retain top talent to propel their mission forward. The organization aims to set salaries based on objective, external, high-quality market data. Salaries are adjusted for candidates in different geographic regions. Reading Partners does its very best to ensure they bring their best offer - therefore they do not engage in salary negotiations.

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position. The pay range for this position is $170,723 to $200,850 and is contingent on geographic location. After submitting an application, candidates who move forward in the hiring process are provided with the salary for their geographical location.

To Learn More About Benefits

Reading Partners offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, flex spending accounts, flexible PTO and a generous paid holiday schedule, commuter benefits, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and currently a 403(b) match option.

Reading Partners also offers an exciting and dynamic culture, and commits to investing in and supporting its amazing people to grow their careers with them. Visit their website to learn more about what it is like to work at Reading Partners.

Reading Partners is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, or current employment status.