Why Your Role Matters Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), the Vice President of Development serves as a strategic and mission-driven partner responsible for the execution and oversight of the comprehensive fundraising programs. This leadership role manages a high-performing development team and works cross-functionally to advance the Y's mission through annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, grant and foundational solicitations, and donor engagement strategies. The Vice President of Development champions a culture of philanthropy and ensures that fundraising practices reflect the Y's values.
This position is based in Austin, TX. The standard schedule includes on-site work
Tuesday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on
Mondays and Fridays.
How You Will Make an Impact - Provide leadership for the annual giving campaign by setting the structure and facilitating cross-functional collaboration with operational leaders to ensure consistent success across all branches.
- Serve as the strategic liaison between Development and Marketing, ensuring unified messaging, maximizing donor engagement, and aligning fundraising efforts with the organizational brand and storytelling.
- Guide strategy, recruitment, and engagement for Center Advisory Boards by leveraging membership data, community networks, and existing board members to cultivate mission-aligned leadership.
- Represent Development in the center advisory board meetings to strengthen board philanthropy involvement and lead local fundraising efforts that reflect community priorities.
- Lead the execution of capital campaign strategies, integrating personalized stewardship and ambitious revenue goals aligned with long-term capital needs.
- Implement a comprehensive donor stewardship strategy that builds meaningful relationships at every giving level to increase donor retention and lifetime engagement.
- Manage a personal portfolio of mid-to-major donors, cultivating and soliciting high-capacity individuals to deepen philanthropic investment and participation, often elevating them to major gift capacity to be managed by the Executive Leadership Team
- Provide strategic guidance and oversight to development program leaders across corporate giving, grants/foundation relations, and individual/planned giving, ensuring alignment with institutional and community-centered fundraising goals.
- Partner with the CDO on budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation for the Development department to optimize fundraising outcomes and operational efficiency.
- Analyze donor data, campaign performance, and philanthropic trends to inform strategy adjustments and drive continuous improvement and innovation.
- Collaborate closely with Finance and other departments to forecast fundraising revenue, support organizational strategic planning, and inform broader financial decision-making.
- Hold the development team accountable for high performance through goal-based leadership, ongoing coaching, and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
- Model inclusive leadership behaviors that embrace all dimensions of diversity, cultivating strong, diverse teams that apply their varied skills and perspectives to advance the mission.
- Lead recruitment, hiring, and professional development of direct reports, ensuring alignment with organizational people practices and building a culture of continuous growth and accountability.
- Champion a culture of philanthropy across the organization by inspiring staff, volunteers, and leadership to embrace fundraising roles and communicate the transformative impact of donor support.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Development Department and the strategic priorities of the YMCA of Greater Austin.
What You Bring to the Y - 7-10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including demonstrated success in leading annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, and donor stewardship programs.
- 3-5 years of proven experience managing, developing, and inspiring high-performing teams.
- Proven ability to cultivate and solicit mid-to-major donors, including securing six- and seven-figure gifts and managing a personal donor portfolio.
- Strong track record of collaborating cross-functionally with Marketing, Finance, Operations, and other departments to align fundraising strategies with organizational goals.
- Deep commitment to inclusive, community-centric fundraising practices, with demonstrated ability to build diverse teams and engage a wide range of stakeholders.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building authentic relationships with donors, volunteers, staff, and community leaders.
- Proficiency with fundraising CRM systems and data analytics to guide strategy, evaluate performance, and drive continuous improvement.
- Strong fiscal management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation to maximize fundraising impact
- Advancing our mission and cause - providing visionary leadership to ensure resources are mobilized to adapt to new challenges and needs in the community.
- Building relationships - connecting people to the Y's cause by developing inclusive relationships, partnerships, and collaborations to co-create solutions to pressing social needs.
- Leading operations - ensuring relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability of the organization so we can continue to fulfill our promise to the community.
- Developing and inspiring people - supporting the holistic development of self and others so everyone can embrace the Y's cause, sustain our culture, and inspire others to action.
