James River Association
Vice President of Development
James River Association, Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23214
James River Association - Vice President of Development
Location: Richmond, Virginia (primary office)
Telework: Hybrid/flexible
Experience: 8-10+ years in nonprofit fundraising and executive leadership
The James River Association (JRA) is a non-profit organization on a mission to protect the James River and connect people to it. JRA is excited to announce an opening for a Vice President of Development. In this role, you’ll lead our fundraising and development strategy, cultivate and steward relationships with donors, and lead a high-performing team to deliver on ambitious revenue goals that advance JRA’s mission and 50th Anniversary campaign.
We’re looking for someone with charisma, executive presence, and the ability to “read the room,” who can inspire confidence among donors, board members, and staff alike. The ideal candidate will bring proven success in fundraising leadership, an understanding of development systems and platforms, and the vision to guide JRA’s development strategy into its next chapter.
Responsibilities:
Provide strategic leadership for all aspects of JRA’s development program, including annual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundations, special events, and planned giving Partner closely with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects, ensuring high-level engagement and strong donor relationships Lead the planning and execution of JRA’s 50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign, including endowment growth and transformational giving opportunities Manage and mentor the development team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance Establish and manage systems, processes, and platforms (including Salesforce) to manage donor relationships, track progress, and ensure accurate reporting. Collaborate with program and communications staff to align fundraising strategies with JRA’s mission, strategic plan, and equity goals Oversee donor engagement and fundraising events such as EcoFest and JRA’s 50th Anniversary Gala Serve as a key member of JRA’s executive leadership team, contributing to organization-wide decision making and strategic planning Qualifications:
Proven success in nonprofit fundraising leadership, with a track record of securing major gifts and overseeing multimillion-dollar campaigns Executive presence with strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills Experience engaging and supporting Boards of Directors and high-level volunteers in fundraising Strong knowledge of donor stewardship strategies, moves management, and best practices in development operations Demonstrated ability to manage and inspire a team Requirements:
Minimum of 8-10+ years of progressive experience in development or advancement, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Master’s degree preferred) Familiarity with CRM platforms (Salesforce strongly preferred) Willingness to travel within the watershed and occasionally outside the region. Ability to attend evening and weekend events as needed Preferred Skills & Experience:
Experience leading a successful endowment or capital campaign Knowledge of the philanthropic landscape in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region Strong presentation skills with the ability to inspire diverse audiences Experience integrating equity and inclusion into fundraising strategies Competitive Salary & Benefits Package: Includes fully paid employee-only health and dental coverage, life and LTD insurance, generous paid time off (starting at four weeks/year), twelve paid holidays, and 401(k) matched contributions. Professional development and growth opportunities. Dynamic, hybrid/flexible work environment. The exempt salary range for this full-time position is $115,000 – $125,000 annually, depending on education and work experience. Why Work for the James River Association? We are OPTIMISTS. We believe through individual and collective action, the James River can be preserved and improved, enriching all communities in the watershed. We are CATALYSTS. We are proactive change-makers, not bystanders. We take initiative, bring creativity and passion, and enlist the broader community to drive positive change for the James River. CREDIBILITY is our currency. Our success depends on the trust we build. We operate with integrity and can be relied on as a true, steady, dependable resource grounded in science. COMMUNITY drives everything we do. We believe in the power of community to achieve common goals, honoring a full range of voices in the process. Our efforts consider the varied needs and interests of our watershed communities. We are proud to be an EEO employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace. At JRA, we believe in community, conservation, and driving change. We encourage applications from all backgrounds—if you're excited about working with us, we want to hear from you!
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Provide strategic leadership for all aspects of JRA’s development program, including annual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundations, special events, and planned giving Partner closely with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects, ensuring high-level engagement and strong donor relationships Lead the planning and execution of JRA’s 50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign, including endowment growth and transformational giving opportunities Manage and mentor the development team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance Establish and manage systems, processes, and platforms (including Salesforce) to manage donor relationships, track progress, and ensure accurate reporting. Collaborate with program and communications staff to align fundraising strategies with JRA’s mission, strategic plan, and equity goals Oversee donor engagement and fundraising events such as EcoFest and JRA’s 50th Anniversary Gala Serve as a key member of JRA’s executive leadership team, contributing to organization-wide decision making and strategic planning Qualifications:
Proven success in nonprofit fundraising leadership, with a track record of securing major gifts and overseeing multimillion-dollar campaigns Executive presence with strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills Experience engaging and supporting Boards of Directors and high-level volunteers in fundraising Strong knowledge of donor stewardship strategies, moves management, and best practices in development operations Demonstrated ability to manage and inspire a team Requirements:
Minimum of 8-10+ years of progressive experience in development or advancement, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Master’s degree preferred) Familiarity with CRM platforms (Salesforce strongly preferred) Willingness to travel within the watershed and occasionally outside the region. Ability to attend evening and weekend events as needed Preferred Skills & Experience:
Experience leading a successful endowment or capital campaign Knowledge of the philanthropic landscape in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region Strong presentation skills with the ability to inspire diverse audiences Experience integrating equity and inclusion into fundraising strategies Competitive Salary & Benefits Package: Includes fully paid employee-only health and dental coverage, life and LTD insurance, generous paid time off (starting at four weeks/year), twelve paid holidays, and 401(k) matched contributions. Professional development and growth opportunities. Dynamic, hybrid/flexible work environment. The exempt salary range for this full-time position is $115,000 – $125,000 annually, depending on education and work experience. Why Work for the James River Association? We are OPTIMISTS. We believe through individual and collective action, the James River can be preserved and improved, enriching all communities in the watershed. We are CATALYSTS. We are proactive change-makers, not bystanders. We take initiative, bring creativity and passion, and enlist the broader community to drive positive change for the James River. CREDIBILITY is our currency. Our success depends on the trust we build. We operate with integrity and can be relied on as a true, steady, dependable resource grounded in science. COMMUNITY drives everything we do. We believe in the power of community to achieve common goals, honoring a full range of voices in the process. Our efforts consider the varied needs and interests of our watershed communities. We are proud to be an EEO employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace. At JRA, we believe in community, conservation, and driving change. We encourage applications from all backgrounds—if you're excited about working with us, we want to hear from you!
#J-18808-Ljbffr