Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Vice President of Development
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Fort Worth, Texas, United States, 76102
Vice President of Development
Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Vice President, Development is a senior member of the Advancement leadership team at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for both philanthropic development and membership growth/engagement, advancing the Arboretum’s mission and long‑term financial sustainability. The VP, Development guides planning, budgeting, execution, and oversight of the comprehensive development and membership portfolio—including annual giving, major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, events and sponsorships, membership acquisition and retention, donor/member stewardship, gifts‑in‑kind, and capital campaign readiness.
Responsibilities
Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer, Advancement and Senior Leadership teams and the Board to establish and implement a 3‑ to 5‑year strategic plan for philanthropy and membership aligned with the Arboretum’s strategic priorities.
Lead the development and execution of annual operating and long‑term plans with measurable goals for revenue (development + membership), constituent engagement, pipeline growth, and retention.
Provide strategic insight into membership segmentation, upgrades (e.g., member to donor), donor/member lifecycle management, and integration of membership and major gift strategies.
Advise senior leadership and Board on trends in philanthropy and membership, benchmarking performance, and emerging opportunities (planned giving, digital giving, affinity circles).
Prepare and manage departmental budget to achieve annual revenue goals, oversee expenses/invoices, and reconcile month‑end results in partnership with Finance.
Oversee all fundraising programs to achieve targets, including:
Annual Fund and Membership Giving (e.g., Caroline Rose Hunt Society, Friends programs).
Major Gifts—identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Corporate Relations and Event Sponsorships—secure sponsorships and steward benefits.
Foundation/Grants—identify prospects and steward relationships.
Gifts‑in‑Kind—secure in‑kind donations aligned with institutional needs.
Special Events—plan and lead major fundraising events (e.g., annual gala) with revenue and participation targets.
Oversee membership team: develop and execute acquisition strategy, retention/renewal programs, upgrade path, and analyze membership data/metrics.
Serve as a visible ambassador for the Arboretum’s mission, participating in cultivation events, tours, site visits, and stewardship activities.
Lead, supervise, evaluate, and mentor direct reports, fostering a high‑performing, donor/member‑centric culture.
Collaborate with volunteer leadership and board committees to support cultivation and solicitation roles.
Build and maintain strong partnerships across the organization to ensure an integrated Advancement function.
Analytics, Stewardship & Operations
Utilize donor/member database (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) to manage pipelines, track metrics, and prepare reports for senior leadership and Board.
Ensure best practices in donor/member stewardship and recognition, including timely acknowledgements and events.
Ensure compliance with gift acceptance policies and legal requirements.
Oversee fundraising and membership events, ensuring benefits, ROI, and seamless execution.
Serve as liaison to finance to ensure invoice/payment processing, budget monitoring, and fiscal responsibility.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
CFRE credential strongly preferred or ability to obtain within the first year.
At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience leading development/fundraising programs, including major gifts, membership, corporate/foundation fundraising.
Demonstrated success in recruiting, managing, and motivating a development/membership team and volunteer leaders.
Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals, including major gifts and membership revenue growth.
Strong knowledge of philanthropic best practices, including major gifts, planned giving, foundation/grants, events/sponsorships, and membership programs.
Excellent public speaking and written communication skills; polished professional presence.
Experience using donor database systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) and proficiency with MS Office.
Strong strategic, analytical and financial acumen.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and to drive within the Arboretum.
High energy, self‑motivated, diplomatic, and ability to build positive relationships.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement.
Key Competencies
Strategic leadership: set clear expectations and drive results.
Relationship builder: nurture positive relationships with donors, members, sponsors, staff, and volunteers.
Goal‑and deadline‑oriented: organized, capable of multitasking, responsive to change.
Collaborative and inclusive: work effectively with staff, volunteers, board, and stakeholders across departments.
Adaptable and resilient: navigate changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
Data‑driven decision‑maker: leverage data and metrics to inform strategy and performance.
Stewardship mindset: ensure donors and members feel valued and connected to the mission.
Benefits To help you stay energized, engaged, and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including comprehensive healthcare, a 401K, and Paid Time Off (PTO).
Mission The mission of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is to be a garden for all that enriches lives through beauty, learning, and connection. We are a world‑class sanctuary where people and plants flourish in the natural environment.
EEO Statement The Dallas Arboretum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, genetic characteristics or disability unrelated to job performance.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Responsibilities
Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer, Advancement and Senior Leadership teams and the Board to establish and implement a 3‑ to 5‑year strategic plan for philanthropy and membership aligned with the Arboretum’s strategic priorities.
Lead the development and execution of annual operating and long‑term plans with measurable goals for revenue (development + membership), constituent engagement, pipeline growth, and retention.
Provide strategic insight into membership segmentation, upgrades (e.g., member to donor), donor/member lifecycle management, and integration of membership and major gift strategies.
Advise senior leadership and Board on trends in philanthropy and membership, benchmarking performance, and emerging opportunities (planned giving, digital giving, affinity circles).
Prepare and manage departmental budget to achieve annual revenue goals, oversee expenses/invoices, and reconcile month‑end results in partnership with Finance.
Oversee all fundraising programs to achieve targets, including:
Annual Fund and Membership Giving (e.g., Caroline Rose Hunt Society, Friends programs).
Major Gifts—identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Corporate Relations and Event Sponsorships—secure sponsorships and steward benefits.
Foundation/Grants—identify prospects and steward relationships.
Gifts‑in‑Kind—secure in‑kind donations aligned with institutional needs.
Special Events—plan and lead major fundraising events (e.g., annual gala) with revenue and participation targets.
Oversee membership team: develop and execute acquisition strategy, retention/renewal programs, upgrade path, and analyze membership data/metrics.
Serve as a visible ambassador for the Arboretum’s mission, participating in cultivation events, tours, site visits, and stewardship activities.
Lead, supervise, evaluate, and mentor direct reports, fostering a high‑performing, donor/member‑centric culture.
Collaborate with volunteer leadership and board committees to support cultivation and solicitation roles.
Build and maintain strong partnerships across the organization to ensure an integrated Advancement function.
Analytics, Stewardship & Operations
Utilize donor/member database (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) to manage pipelines, track metrics, and prepare reports for senior leadership and Board.
Ensure best practices in donor/member stewardship and recognition, including timely acknowledgements and events.
Ensure compliance with gift acceptance policies and legal requirements.
Oversee fundraising and membership events, ensuring benefits, ROI, and seamless execution.
Serve as liaison to finance to ensure invoice/payment processing, budget monitoring, and fiscal responsibility.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
CFRE credential strongly preferred or ability to obtain within the first year.
At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience leading development/fundraising programs, including major gifts, membership, corporate/foundation fundraising.
Demonstrated success in recruiting, managing, and motivating a development/membership team and volunteer leaders.
Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals, including major gifts and membership revenue growth.
Strong knowledge of philanthropic best practices, including major gifts, planned giving, foundation/grants, events/sponsorships, and membership programs.
Excellent public speaking and written communication skills; polished professional presence.
Experience using donor database systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) and proficiency with MS Office.
Strong strategic, analytical and financial acumen.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and to drive within the Arboretum.
High energy, self‑motivated, diplomatic, and ability to build positive relationships.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement.
Key Competencies
Strategic leadership: set clear expectations and drive results.
Relationship builder: nurture positive relationships with donors, members, sponsors, staff, and volunteers.
Goal‑and deadline‑oriented: organized, capable of multitasking, responsive to change.
Collaborative and inclusive: work effectively with staff, volunteers, board, and stakeholders across departments.
Adaptable and resilient: navigate changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
Data‑driven decision‑maker: leverage data and metrics to inform strategy and performance.
Stewardship mindset: ensure donors and members feel valued and connected to the mission.
Benefits To help you stay energized, engaged, and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including comprehensive healthcare, a 401K, and Paid Time Off (PTO).
Mission The mission of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is to be a garden for all that enriches lives through beauty, learning, and connection. We are a world‑class sanctuary where people and plants flourish in the natural environment.
EEO Statement The Dallas Arboretum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, genetic characteristics or disability unrelated to job performance.
#J-18808-Ljbffr