Director of Development

Director of Development

Virginia Peninsula Community College is a two-year institution of higher education established as a part of a statewide system of community colleges. It primarily serves the residents of the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg, and the counties of James City and York. The Director of Development is Virginia Peninsula Community College's (VPCC) senior fundraising leader, responsible for advancing the mission of the College and its Educational Foundation through comprehensive development efforts. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement, this role oversees all fundraising initiatives, including annual giving, major gifts, and capital campaigns, and manages relationships with individual, corporate, foundation, and community donors.

The Director provides leadership and supervision for the development team, ensuring the capacity, strategy, and performance needed to meet fundraising goals. This position requires strong leadership, proven fundraising expertise, and a commitment to supporting access and opportunity in community college education.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Planning and executing a comprehensive fundraising program, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns, special events, and private grants.
• Managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, conducting purposeful in-person and virtual visits.
• Identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors with capacity for significant gifts.
• Advancing prospects through the full donor engagement cycle using effective moves-management practices.
• Developing compelling, donor-centered proposals, gift strategies, and impact reports.
• Meeting or exceeding annual fundraising goals in partnership with College leadership.
• Designing and implementing stewardship strategies that demonstrate donor impact and encourage continued investment.
• Coordinating donor engagement activities, including campus visits, scholarship events, and special gatherings.
• Ensuring accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions and records.
• Supporting donor communications, including impact updates, newsletters, and annual reporting.
• Supervising and mentoring development staff, providing direction, training, and performance accountability.
• Collaborating with the President, Board members, faculty, staff, and volunteers to support peer-to-peer fundraising.
• Representing the Foundation and College at donor meetings, community events, and professional conferences.
• Building relationships with local businesses, civic organizations, faith communities, and philanthropic networks.
• Communicating a clear and compelling case for support aligned with the College's mission and priorities.

Special Assignments - May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

KSA's/Required Qualifications - Candidates must possess a master's degree from an accredited institution (preferably in marketing, business, nonprofit management, or a related field) and several years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including demonstrated success in major gift solicitation. A proven record of personally securing major gifts is required, along with experience managing fundraising campaigns, donor portfolios, and donor database systems.

Required knowledge and experience include:

• Leading fundraising and donor engagement efforts within a nonprofit or higher education environment.
• Cultivating and soliciting support from executives and high-capacity donors.
• Applying current development best practices and stewardship strategies.
• Managing nonprofit budgets and financial operations.
• Supervising staff through effective training, communication, and performance management.
• Maintaining accurate prospect and donor records using donor management systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and CRM software.

Key skills include:

• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication.
• Financial management and budgeting.
• Presenting information to senior leadership and decision-makers.
• Team leadership and collaboration.
• Analytical problem-solving and adaptability.

Candidates must be able to:

• Collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Manage competing priorities, deadlines, and responsibilities.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays as well as attend overnight travel.
• Perform other duties as necessary in support of the College.

Additional Considerations - CFRE certification and/or membership in CASE or CRD preferred. Experience with community college operations is desirable.