Vice President of Development
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Set the fundraising strategy and annual revenue goals
- Lead major donor engagement and relationship building
- Oversee gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Partner with the Chief Executive Officer on top donor and partner relationships
- Support and train board members on fundraising expectations
- Manage the development budget and resource planning
- Lead and develop the fundraising team
- Oversee grant strategy and high-level proposal direction
- Plan fundraising campaigns and events
- Improve donor retention through strong communications and recognition
- Track fundraising performance and report progress to leadership
- Ensure ethical fundraising practices and donor trust
Top Skills for Success
Executive Communication
Relationship Building
Strategic Planning
Leadership
Negotiation
Financial Acumen
Stakeholder Management
Donor Cultivation
Major Gift Solicitation
Campaign Strategy
Board Engagement
Grant Strategy
Donor Stewardship
Fundraising Analytics
Donor Database Management
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Chief Development Officer
Chief Advancement Officer
Executive Director
Chief Executive Officer
Vice President of External Affairs
Transition Opportunities
Vice President of Partnerships
Vice President of Marketing
Chief Operating Officer
Consultant
Interim Executive Director
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Major gift pipeline managementBoard fundraising enablementCampaign planningDonor retention strategyFundraising forecastingPerformance managementChange management
Development SuggestionsBuild a disciplined donor pipeline, formalize board involvement, and strengthen forecasting with consistent reporting. Seek mentorship from experienced advancement leaders and practice donor conversations through role-play and joint visits.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry Level$120,000 to $170,000
Mid Level$170,000 to $230,000
Senior Level$230,000 to $325,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand, driven by competition for donor dollars, expansion of philanthropy programs, and increased focus on diversified revenue.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
Universities and collegesHospital systemsNational charitiesCommunity foundationsMuseums and cultural institutionsK through 12 education networksInternational aid organizationsResearch institutes
Industry Sectors
Higher educationHealthcareHuman servicesArts and cultureEnvironmental organizationsReligious organizationsInternational developmentPublic media
Recommended Next Steps
1
Audit the current fundraising mix and identify the top three growth opportunities2
Create a 12 month fundraising plan with clear targets by channel3
Build a major donor pipeline with defined stages and next actions4
Set a donor stewardship calendar to improve retention5
Align expectations with the Chief Executive Officer and board on roles in fundraising6
Assess team structure and hire for the biggest capability gaps7
Implement a simple dashboard for revenue, pipeline health, and donor retention8
Refresh messaging and case for support to match donor priorities