Title

Vice President of Resource Development

Department

Resource Development

Reports To

President/CEO

Summary

The Vice President of Resource Development for United Way of the Coastal Empire (UWCE) provides strategic leadership to cultivate and grow the organization’s fundraising efforts, ensuring deep engagement with corporate and individual donors, private foundations, and government entities. This role is instrumental in securing sustainable funding that fuels UWCE’s mission and drives meaningful community impact.

At the heart of this position is the development and execution of a comprehensive resource development strategy designed to diversify revenue and maximize fundraising potential. This includes forging strong relationships with corporate executives to enhance workplace giving programs, expanding partnerships with businesses to create new avenues for support, and cultivating major donors and high-net-worth individuals who are deeply invested in United Way’s mission. The Vice President also plays a critical role in securing grants that align with the organization’s strategic impact goals. Alongside the CEO, this leader serves as a visible and influential representative of United Way, engaging with the donor community to elevate awareness and inspire investment in the organization’s work.

As a key member of UWCE’s Executive Leadership Team, the Vice President of Resource Development builds and manages annual work plans, operating budgets, and performance objectives for the resource development team. Collaboration with the Vice President of Marketing and Communications ensures that fundraising strategies are aligned with the organization’s messaging and outreach efforts. Just as importantly, this role fosters a culture of motivation and high performance, inspiring staff to meet and exceed fundraising goals. By strengthening donor relationships, expanding revenue streams, and mobilizing community support, the Vice President of Resource Development plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of United Way’s impact in the Coastal Empire.

Employee Expectations

The UWCE is dedicated to serving the community and addressing the issues that matter most. Every employee plays a vital role in our mission and represents United Way in the community. We encourage staff to uphold professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to our shared values.

Position Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE certification preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in fundraising and development.
• At least 5 years of supervisory experience, with a proven track record of effectively leading teams, including volunteers and non-paid team members.
• United Way experience and strong connections in the Coastal Empire region are highly desirable.
• Proven success in relationship development, fundraising, and community engagement with individuals, businesses, and organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading volunteer-driven nonprofit fundraising campaigns.
• Strong understanding of digital engagement strategies, including leveraging technology platforms and social media to attract new donors, improve donor retention, and streamline payment processing.
• Ability to engage and earn the respect of a broad constituency, including executives in business, government, foundations, and key community leaders.
• Deep understanding of nonprofit operations, with the ability to collaborate across departments and build relationships with diverse teams.
• Recognized as a strong leader, mentor, and developer of high-performing teams.
• Proficiency in budgeting and financial management.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including strong public speaking abilities.
• Proven ability to inspire teams while also executing operational strategies. Experience with Salesforce preferred.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Key Donor Relationship Development & Management: Cultivate and manage relationships with C-suite executives and individual donors to introduce United Way’s mission, showcase its impact, and ensure continued engagement.
• Donor Relations: Develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan to increase new donors, improve retention, and sustain giving programs through workplace campaigns, individual giving, affinity groups, major gifts, foundation grants, and planned/endowment giving.
• Community Impact: Collaborate with Community Investments and Direct Services teams to align donor interests with United Way programs and contribute to new community impact initiatives.
• Community Engagement: Actively participate in community events, fostering relationships with local residents and leaders to enhance awareness and engagement.
• Brand Development & Marketing: Work with Marketing and Community Impact teams to refine brand perception, develop campaign messaging, and produce key materials such as reports and event programs.
• Major Giving & Legacy Giving: Drive efforts to secure significant contributions through major gifts and planned giving initiatives to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Diversifying Revenue Streams: Expand funding sources by securing grants from philanthropic foundations, grants, and other revenue streams to support United Way’s mission.
• Internal Management: Contribute to executive team strategies, foster a culture of communication and productivity, and lead staff to achieve organizational goals effectively.
• Finance & Administration: Partner with the CFO to develop revenue goals, manage the Department budget, and ensure efficient resource allocation within the development department.
• Database Management & CRM Oversight: Ensure data integrity and strategic use of donor databases. Oversee Salesforce/CRM for donor tracking, campaign management, and reporting. Train staff to optimize CRM tools for efficiency and engagement.
• Lead and manage: Oversee a team of approximately 5 full-time staff, 10 seasonal part-time employees, and over 40 executive-level volunteers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment to achieve resource development goals. Board Relations: Support the CEO in donor relations with the Board of Directors, providing updates on fundraising efforts and maintaining strong individual connections with board members.

Traits & Distinguishing Characteristics

• Strong relationship-building and management experience.
• Self-aware and solution-oriented team player and team leader.
• Maintains exceptionally high standards of integrity and confidentiality.
• Takes ownership of work and demonstrates willingness to accept responsibility for decisions and actions.
• Seeks and receives feedback graciously and with a dedication to continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates commitment to quality in every task performed. 

United Way Core Competencies for All Staff  

• Mission-Focused: Catalyze others’ commitment to mission to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities.  This drives their performance and professional motivations.  
• Relationship-Oriented: Understands that people come before process and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.  
• Collaborator: understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.  
• Results-Driven: Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good; creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.   
• Brand Steward: Steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Some of the work in this position is completed while sitting at a desk, using a computer and phone. Requires talking, hearing and visual acuity sufficient to perform these major functions. 
• Frequent local travel to meet with donors and attend community events.
• Evening and weekend availability may be required for special events and meetings. Occasionally includes reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting up to 25 pounds for office equipment, supplies and materials.

Status

Exempt (Salaried)

Annual Rate of Pay

$85,000 - $100,000