Vice President of Development and Engagement

The Vice President of Development and Engagement is a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for driving all fundraising, development, and community engagement strategies. This role plays a critical part in increasing the organization's visibility, deepening community involvement, and securing the financial resources necessary to support long-term strategic goals and advance the mission.

With a focus on building and strengthening relationships, the Vice President cultivates individual, corporate, and philanthropic partnerships, positioning the organization as a leading nonprofit worthy of significant charitable investment. By fostering collaboration across departments and with external stakeholders-including donors, partners, volunteers, and the broader community-this leader enhances public trust, expands the agency's impact, and ensures sustained support for its vision and initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES (FUNCTIONS) include the following:

Strategic Leadership & Administration

• Develop and implement a comprehensive community engagement strategy aligned with the agency's mission and goals.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to align engagement efforts with organizational priorities and programs.
• Recommends, develops and implements strategic revenue-generating initiatives to support and exceed Easterseals' short- and long-term financial goals.
• Determines goals for the annual fundraising budget process, including setting revenue targets, monitoring performance metrics, and managing development expenses to stay within budget.
• Set and monitor measurable success metrics (revenue, donor retention, visibility, etc) and ensure alignment across departments and leadership.
• Identifies and evaluates new markets and opportunities to expand existing programs and create additional revenue streams that align with the organization's mission and growth strategy.
• Oversee all fundraising activities including signature events, donor campaigns, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grant initiatives.
• Lead the development, submission, and management of grant proposals, including compliance and reporting.
• Cultivate relationships with individual donors (including Presidents council), foundations, community leaders, and corporate partners to secure significant financial support and/or partnerships.
• Lead development team efforts to promote volunteerism, maintaining policies protecting program participants and find innovative ways to include volunteers.
• Ensures adherence to fundraising best practices, including donor tracking, stewardship, acknowledgment, and performance metrics.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Easterseals' programs to effectively communicate their value and funding needs.
• Plans and manages all aspects of development event production including budget, timeline, logistics, coordination of printed materials, managing staff/volunteers and all other aspects to create a successful event.
• Ensures a consistent and compelling brand presence of Easterseals as a top non-profit in Southeast Wisconsin, increasing awareness about the vital services and needs our agency meets in our local community, across all platforms, including digital, social, print, and media outreach.
• Plans, prepares, distributes, and monitors original content such as articles, press releases, media advisories, emails, blog posts, and social media updates on behalf of the organization.
• Ensures website is up to date with web-based graphics and relevant information to complement site content and increase end user traffic.
• Support internal program teams with marketing needs and storytelling to highlight program impact and donor contribution.
• Represent the organization at public events, meetings, and speaking engagements to expand visibility and support.
• Communicates regularly with President, Board of Directors and Leadership team regarding development program and its progress in meeting philanthropy budget and relationship building goals.
• Manages, educates, and engages the Board of Directors with and through the Board Community Engagement Committee on donor engagement, department activities including progress on department goals and revenue targets.
• Liaison with Easterseals, Inc. to ensure local efforts alignment with philanthropic, marketing, and brand standards.

Supervision

• Supervises assigned department personnel. This includes the following responsibilities, but not limited to hiring, evaluating, training, scheduling, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and the completion of all work performed by direct reports.
• Educates and trains direct reports on all department and agency policies and procedures.
• Meets with assigned staff at least monthly to identify and resolve problems; manage projects, and review work processes and procedures.
• Participates in management team activities and agency events including fundraisers as required.
• Participates in assigned meetings, professional development, and training as required.
• Ensures maximum use of interns assigned to department to further department goals.
• Performs other duties (or functions) as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, Non-Profit Management, Communications, Marketing, or related field required.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in securing funds through fundraising/development activities including grants, donor relations, events, annual campaigns and planned giving required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience required.
• Knowledge of the general giving community in the greater Milwaukee area is preferred.
• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts, managing capital or comprehensive campaigns, and cultivating donor and stakeholder relationships.
• Experience leading and mentoring a high-performing development team.
• Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices, donor databases, and grant writing and management.
• Travel between multiple sites is required.
• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Must have proof of insurance AND meet the requirements of the Employee Driving Policy.
• A Criminal Background Check must meet the requirements of the State of WI licensure for day programming.
• A Credit Check is required for this position.

Specialized Skills/Abilities/Knowledge:

• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement multi-year development plans aligned with organizational goals, strategies and activities.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences including donors, board members, corporate partners, and media.
• Ability to lead direct-reports and influence a variety of individuals both internally and externally.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong financial acumen and experience in budget development, forecasting, and fiscal management.
• Knowledge of marketing, branding, and public relations strategies that support donor engagement and organizational visibility.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Comfortable representing the organization at public events and serving as a visible leader in the community.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Must be organized and able to handle multiple projects.
• Must be honest, dependable, and able to meet deadlines.
• Must exercise sound judgment in making decisions and act accordingly.

EQUIPMENT USED/MACHINERY REQUIRED TO OPERATE:

Includes, but is not limited to:

• Telephone
• Computer
• Copy Machine
• Calculator
• Fax Machine
• Dolly
• Operate a motor vehicle safely

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: