Vice President, Philanthropy

Mission:Eversight's mission is to restore sight and prevent blindness through the healing power of donation, transplantation and research.

Our Culture Story:Imagine you're unable to see a loved one's eyes as they smile. You can't see their face as they call your name, or your own face in the mirror as you start each day. This is what life is like for millions of people coping with vision loss.

Now, imagine your eyesight is restored. You can suddenly see all the color and sights of the world around you. Your life is transformed. This is the power of eye donation, corneal transplantation and vision research. This is what Eversight team members make possible every day.

For more than 75 years, Eversight has enabled donors and their families to give the gift of sight. We ensure that their gifts transform the lives of those suffering from blindness, and advance new treatments and cures for blindness.

Summary

Eversight's Vice President of Philanthropy guides the philanthropy team and function through continued change and growth to new heights. As a member of the leadership team, this role participates in organizational visioning, strategic planning, goal setting, and the overall development efforts of the organization. This person will oversee and manage the Philanthropy team with responsibility for the organization's resource development activities.

Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Exempt

This position requires presence and co-working location in both Ann Arbor, MI and Chicago, IL. As such regular travel (25%) will be required between the two areas as well as to donor locations nationally.

Essential Job Functions

Impact: Strategy and Execution

• Provides visionary leadership in developing strategic plans and vision, and ensures successful execution of plans and priorities.
• Maintains a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in foundations and donor preferences/requirements to ensure that mission, vision and strategy embrace creative and leading-edge approaches and practices.

Stakeholder Engagement, Resource Development and Philanthropy

• Advances Eversight's mission through establishing and nurturing relationships with funders and contributors.
• Actively engages with a prioritized portfolio of potential contributors, with annual goals/progress for all activities.
• Demonstrates exceptional ongoing relationship management with contributors, stakeholders and key community partners.
• Actively engaged in industry and relevant fundraising forums to ensure best practices and current thinking.
• Prioritizing philanthropic capital as a strategic focus.
• Maintains active engagement and participation with Eversight team members.
• Maintains and enhances philanthropy initiatives' success in partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Strategically diversifies the funding base to maintain and enhance organizational sustainability.
• Ensures identification and execution of successful approaches to grant applications and deliverables.

Team Relations/Leadership

• Serve on the Eversight leadership team and partner with leaders across the organization.
• Establishes trust and rapport with the team through authentic relationships.
• Instills recognition systems for staff and adopts regular venues for listening and responding to staff ideas and needs.
• Leads a high-performing, mission-driven team; responsible for the recruitment, coaching, and performance of all team members.
• Creates clarity of accountabilities by ensuring responsibilities are clearly documented, regular evaluations are held, and sound personnel management practices are in place.
• Maintains a climate that attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse staff of peak-performing professionals.

Internal and External Communications

• Represents the organization in various community forums and funding agencies to advocate for Eversight's mission.
• Delivers presentations on behalf of the mission representing Eversight to team members, associations, external organizations and potential donors.
• Reports metrics against goals, alerts CEO to concerns about financial and other impacts.
• Oversees the dissemination of information regarding the Philanthropy activities to increase awareness of the mission and goals of the organization.
• Partners with Marketing & Communication for the creation and distribution of relevant collateral and communications vehicles (Annual Report, website, social media, Case for Support documents).

Requirements:

Education: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university required.

Experience: Five or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a role with a proven track record in building relationships with stakeholders, partners, staff and contributors. Must have experience working with a volunteer board. Must have experience in raising funds, including successfully closing major-gift solicitations with individual high-capacity donors.

Skills: Demonstrated ability to exercise a high degree of judgement and diplomacy as well as maintaining the highest integrity and ethics. Must have a drive towards collaboration, innovation, and pursuit of new opportunities, along with comfort in leading change. Strong interpersonal skills and comfort with philanthropic community and major donors. Possess solid, persuasive verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver inspiring and succinct presentations and conduct productive meetings. Demonstrated ability to lead a diverse team and effectively manage, motivate, mentor and coach team members.

Desired/Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in a related field. CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive) designation. 21/64 Advisor designation. Non-profit sector experience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Generous paid time off
• 403(b) retirement plan with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid parental leave & more

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Work is performed in a normal office environment with frequent short and long-distance travel. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit for long periods of time. Routine use of computer, cell phone and fax. Limited noise, room temperature fluctuation and dust are possible. Use of own vehicle may be required when traveling within the service area.

The work environment and physical demands characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Organizational Relationship

Reports to Chief Executive Officer.