Summary:           The Vice President (VP), Major Gifts will develop, socialize and execute strategies to build a robust pipeline of individual donors and prospects. Overseeing the Major Gifts team, the VP, Major Gifts will also carry a personal portfolio of approximately 20-25 key donors and prospects capable of making high-level major and principal gifts.  They will ensure that a continuum of relationship-building strategies is donor-centered and is highly collaborative within the entire Resource Development Team, other key United Way Suncoast (UWS) staff and key volunteers.

Working closely with the Senior Team and other key staff members the VP, Major Gifts must cultivate mutually beneficial relationships in order to achieve significant short and long-term fund-raising goals and must provide direction, training and support to staff.

Job Title:             Vice President, Major Gifts
Department:      Resource Development
Reports to:         Chief Advancement Officer
Location:             Tampa, FL w/ regional responsibilities
Date:                     January 2019

Essential Functions and Responsibilities Include the Following:

(Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Education and/or Experience: An undergraduate degree in business, finance or a relevant discipline from a four-year accredited institution of higher learning. Advanced degree and Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification and/or commensurate experience preferred.
Previous experience in a not-for-profit fund-raising program or consulting firm with a proven track record of developing substantial major and planned gifts. Familiarity with all aspects of fund development including major and planned gifts, capital campaigns, annual giving and large special events. Skills and experience in developing endowments, estate gifts, complex gifts, real estate and trusts. Experience in training staff in matters relating to planned giving techniques in order to expand their ability to identify and assist in closing major estate gifts. Governance and management experience in working with not-for-profit boards of directors and leadership committees.

Interpersonal Skills: Excellent active listening, persuasion, negotiation, presentation, consultative selling and public speaking skills required.   Strong complex problem solving, coordination, critical thinking, interpersonal and judgment skills required.  Business writing and supervisory skills required.  Must have demonstrated a high level of experience and success in building productive professional/working relationships with diverse individuals and groups.

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze and interpret business periodicals, news articles and professional publications.  Ability to write reports and business correspondence.  Ability to present information to and respond to questions from groups of diverse organizational employees, managers, and senior level high profile decision makers. 

Computer and Analytic Skills: Requires advanced knowledge of MS office software and data base programs. Strong analytic and strategic planning skills required. Consistent and accurate use of CRM and/or other similar tools.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervise the Major Gifts Team. Perform supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

  • Behaviors reflect a belief that individuals from diverse backgrounds lead to a more successful organization.
  • Educates oneself about DEI issues within the organization and community.
  • Demonstrates a willingness to become aware of and address one’s own implicit biases.
  • Deliberately works to include individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in efforts both internally and externally as appropriate.
  • Identifies and integrates the tools and resources needed to create more equitable environments.

Licenses:  Valid Florida Driver’s License with a driving record that meets insurance requirements.  Professional certifications related to planned giving are a plus.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and/or hear.  The employee is frequently required to use finger and hand motion and occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 20 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: Employee primarily works in a normal office environment under moderate heat and noise levels, with extensive in-the-field activities within the UWS region.  

United Way Suncoast provides equal employment opportunities to all team members and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

*Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Carlene Ulacia, PMP
Senior Manager, Bank On Initiatives
813-274-0928
culacia@uwsuncoast.org