Vice President of Advancement (Immediate Opening)

Vice President of Advancement

Office of the President

Role Mission:

The Vice President of Advancement is a critical leadership role responsible for spearheading all strategic fundraising and external engagement initiatives that support IDEA Public Schools’ mission, educational objectives, and future expansion. Reporting directly to the President, this executive leader oversees all development activities— including major gifts, grants, annual giving, and capital campaigns—that support the financial health and sustainability of the organization. They are responsible for cultivating and stewarding relationships with key stakeholders, such as donors, community leaders, and elected officials to secure and increase funding sources. This role involves strategic partnership with marketing and communications leaders to effectively convey the impact of the organization's programs and initiatives, thereby driving community support and engagement. They will serve as an internal expert on philanthropic alignment and partnership for the programmatic and expansion needs of IDEA, working with Chiefs, Area Superintendents, and Regional Executive Directors to identify their needs and evaluate alignment of investment partner opportunities.

The ideal candidate will bring a robust background in strategic fundraising within the education sector, demonstrating a proven track record of meeting and exceeding fundraising targets. They possess strong leadership skills to manage and inspire their team, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability. The ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders (e.g., board members, donors, private foundations, government officials, etc.) is crucial. They will exhibit a combination of strategic vision, operational expertise, and a passion for educational equity, making them a pivotal member of the executive team. This role demands not just a leader but a visionary who can translate complex strategic goals into clear, actionable plans that propel the organization forward.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• The Vice President of Advancement will oversee a division of approximately 20 staff members. Their direct reports include the Advancement Operations Manager, the Managing Director of External Affairs, the Managing Director of Individual Giving, and the Managing Director of Institutional Giving,
• As organizational growth accelerates and new school launches ramp up, the role may oversee an increasing number of national or regional team members.

Location: 

This is a full-time remote position based in Texas with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectations: 

While this is a remote position, there will be in-person meetings across various regions. Travel to meet with prospects and donors will also be an expectation in this role.  Candidates must be willing to travel up to 25% during the busiest times of the year.

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

Essential Duties:

• Fundraising Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support IDEA Public Schools' mission and growth objectives. This includes identifying and cultivating relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies to build sustainable, ongoing support of programmatic initiatives. Design and spearhead a new five-year campaign to raise $100 million for the organization.
• Donor Cultivation and Stewardship: Build and maintain relationships with existing donors while actively seeking out new funding opportunities. Provide personalized stewardship to ensure donors feel valued and engaged with the organization's mission and impact.
• Legislative Support: In allowable spaces, develop strategies for engaging legislators and policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels to secure ongoing support for the organization and its educational objectives.
• Internal Procedures Improvement: Lead efforts to improve internal procedures and processes related to fundraising, donor management, and compliance. Identify opportunities for efficiency gains while aligning with increased policy and protocols from the organization.
• Strategic Partnerships and Consultation: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify strategic partnership opportunities that align with the organization’s mission and goals. Cultivate relationships with external partners to support fundraising efforts and enhance the organization's visibility and impact. Serve as the key internal consultant for all development and engagement initiatives.
• Grant Writing and Management: Oversee the grant writing process, including researching funding opportunities, preparing grant proposals, and managing reporting requirements. Collaborate with the Vice President of Treasury and Grants to ensure compliance with grant terms and effectively communicate the impact of funding to donors and stakeholders. Grow the number of mission-aligned grant programs to fund the organization’s programmatic and expansion needs.
• Team Leadership and Development: Lead and mentor a team of advancement professionals, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities to maximize individual and team performance. Foster a culture of high performance and continuous improvement within the division.
• Marketing and Communications: Work closely with the marketing and communications team to develop compelling messaging and materials that enhance visibility and effectively convey IDEA Public Schools' mission, impact, and funding needs to external audiences.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Utilize data-driven insights to inform fundraising strategies and decision-making. Develop and maintain systems for tracking and analyzing fundraising performance, providing regular reports to senior leadership and the board of directors. Ensure system of record management in line with audit standards and fundraising best practices.
• Growth and Expansion: Collaborate with the Vice President of Growth to identify philanthropic and partnership opportunities. Represent IDEA with external stakeholders in potential expansion regions.

What You Bring – Competencies

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong record of results in fundraising and development
• Expansive mindset that uses proactive and innovative approaches to problem-solving, with a focus on continuous learning, and the ability to see opportunities in challenges
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the charter management and education reform space, especially with large CMO networks (20+ schools)
• Proven expertise in spearheading organizational transformation
• Ability to navigate complex challenges and size opportunities to advance the organization’s mission
• Exceptional strategic thinking abilities, including setting vision, anticipating challenges, planning projects, and designing systems to maximize effectiveness and efficiency
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple long-term projects simultaneously, often under tight deadlines and competing priorities, while maintaining composure and ensuring quality outcomes
• Effective and compelling interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written, enabling the building of strong relationships, mutually beneficial partnerships, organizational intelligence, and the ability to influence and motivate teams through clarity of expectations and accountability
• Adaptability to respond to changes in the surrounding environment, such as economic shifts, political dynamics, and new regulatory landscapes
• Proactive approach to seeking information and clarity to enable sound judgment and decision-making for the organization

Required Experience and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• At least 10 years of professional experience
• At least 5 years of proven large-scale, cross-functional project management and organizational change management in a high-pressure environment
• At least 5 years of strategic planning or project management experience in fundraising and development

What We Offer

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $145,500 and $177,500 commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

Other Information

Application Process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn More About IDEA:

At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values.