Vice President, Philanthropy

The ideal candidate will possess a love of the Vail Valley; an entrepreneurial spirit; an energetic, passionate, and creative approach to life and work; and a belief in the VVF’s mission of service. This leader will convey mature confidence in leading and managing change in a dynamic environment and will possess a calm ability to handle both ambiguity and paradox. Even with the executive title of vice president, no job will be too small – you will roll up your proverbial sleeves with the rest of the development team. You will engender a sense of trust, and be viewed by your colleagues as a strong collaborator who makes the entire team more effective. The highly-qualified candidate will also appreciate how the arts, athletics, and education offer unparalleled opportunities for learning and growth, and that the VVF is the regional leader in making such opportunities available and accessible to all.

Required Qualifications

• Exceptional experience in leading a revenue-generating function, whether in a private or nonprofit setting, that grew over time and yielded a minimum of $10 million per year.
• Proven skills in managing a team ranging from entry-level to experienced professionals, and ensuring individual results through proper coaching and mentoring.
• Strong alignment with the values of a mission-driven organization, and a culture that highly values and nurtures supportive relationships among all stakeholders.
• Proficient knowledge of nonprofit CRM databases for the purpose of donor engagement, new donor cultivation, and financial management and stewardship of donor relationships, including marketing and PR and ongoing communications.  Examples of database platform software that this position will need to be highly proficient are Blackbaud or Tessitura.
• Robust knowledge of the nonprofit development function and processes, whether acquired as a development professional, board member, donor, and/or volunteer.
• Robust knowledge of the IRS rules and regulations governing all gifts including those from Private Foundations or Donor Advised Funds.
• Knowledge of and hands-on experience with various charitable gift tools & structures including but not limited to charitable gift annuities, charitable lead trusts, and charitable remainder trusts.
• A self-starter with a known ability to carry out responsibilities without detailed direction and can handle competing demands with tact and creativity.
• Comfort in your own being, and proven interpersonal skills that enable you to interact easily with everyone, whether a board member or a program client.
• Excellent communicator, both in spoken and written form.  Also, a patient listener.
• Quantitative skills that enable ease in using metrics to determine meaningful goals and measure progress toward them; extensive experience in budget oversight.
• A great sense of humor, and an intrinsic understanding of when to use humor.

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Strong familiarity with the key elements of a comprehensive development program, including experience with annual funds, capital campaigns, planned giving, and special events.
• Knowledge of the current economic and social issues facing the Vail Valley.
• Substantial experience or involvement with the arts, athletics, or education.
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s or advanced professional degree preferred.