Vice President Development

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President of Development is a strategic, relationship-driven leader responsible for advancing the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver’s philanthropic strategy and growing contributed revenue across fundraising channels, including annual giving, major gifts, foundation and institutional support, and capital campaigns, in support of the organization’s mission and strategic priorities.

Working closely with the CEO, senior leadership, Board of Directors, community partners, and the Development team, the Vice President translates organizational priorities into effective fundraising strategy, operations, donor engagement, and sustainable systems.

The Vice President leads and develops the Development team, provides strategic direction for donor cultivation and institutional giving, personally builds key philanthropic relationships, and partners with the CEO on major donor engagement and solicitations.

The Vice President models the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility and fosters a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive culture that strengthens philanthropy and advances the YMCA’s mission.

OUR PATH

For 150 years, the YMCA of Metro Denver has been more than a place - it is a movement that lifts spirit, mind and body for all.  Our direction is clear: Elevate Lives and Rise Together.  Grounded by our mission and strengthened by the global YMCA movement we will elevate our people, purpose, partnerships and promise.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Philanthropic Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Develops and implements a comprehensive development strategy aligned with the YMCA’s mission, strategic plan, programs, and organizational priorities.
• Establishes fundraising goals and strategies that strengthen and diversify philanthropic support through major gifts, annual giving, foundations, corporations, grants, partnerships, and other opportunities.
• Monitors philanthropic trends, opportunities, and risks and recommend strategies that support sustainable contributed revenue growth.

Development Team Leadership

• Provides direct supervision, coaching, and strategic direction to the Director of Annual Giving and Director of Grant & Sponsorship Administration.

• Establishes clear goals and expectations, encourages collaboration and shared accountability, and supports the professional growth and effectiveness of the team.
• Evaluates department structure, staffing, specialization, and capacity as organizational needs grow and recommends appropriate refinements.

Development Operations, Budget & Performance

• Develops and manages the Development department budget and allocates resources in alignment with approved priorities.
• Establishes and monitors fundraising measures, including revenue performance, donor pipeline activity, retention, acquisition, engagement, and other indicators that support informed decision-making.
• Ensures effective fundraising systems and practices, including appropriate use of donor management systems, prospect management, donor records, gift administration, stewardship, and compliance with donor intent.
• Uses fundraising data and performance information to identify opportunities, address gaps, and strengthen development strategy and operations.

Major Gifts & Donor Relationships

• Provides strategic direction to the Director of Annual Giving regarding major donor cultivation, relationship strategy, solicitation planning, and pipeline development.
• Personally cultivates and strengthens relationships with key donors and prospects throughout the Denver metropolitan area and Colorado philanthropic community.
• Builds meaningful relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, civic and community leaders, and other strategic partners.
• Partners with the CEO on major donor engagement and solicitations, including relationship strategy, meeting preparation, follow-up, and stewardship.

Grants & Institutional Giving

• Works with the Director of Grant & Sponsorship Administration and organizational leaders to identify and pursue foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities aligned with YMCA priorities and community needs.

• Provides strategic oversight of institutional giving and ensures grant strategy, commitments, and outcomes align with broader development goals and organizational capacity.
• Supports effective coordination among Development, program, finance, and operational leaders related to funding proposals, reporting, and funder relationships.

Capital Campaign Strategy & Execution

• Serves as a key stakeholder and strategist in capital campaign planning, including community needs assessment and feasibility study activities.
• Works with the CEO and capital campaign counsel to develop donor engagement, cultivation, and solicitation strategies.
• Supports campaign execution through relationship cultivation, donor meeting coordination, materials preparation, donor communication, and follow-through.
• Coordinates campaign activity with ongoing annual giving, major gifts, and grants strategies to support the strength of the YMCA’s overall philanthropic program.

Board & Executive Leadership Engagement

• Staffs the Board Fundraising Committee and provides strategic leadership regarding fundraising priorities, opportunities, and performance.
• Strengthens Board member engagement in philanthropy through donor introductions, cultivation, stewardship, advocacy, and other appropriate activities.
• Serves on the Executive Leadership Team as the strategic voice of philanthropy and contributed revenue.
• Presents Development department results, strategy, opportunities, and relevant performance information to the Board as assigned.

Donor Stewardship & Engagement

• Ensures donors and partners experience meaningful, consistent cultivation, communication, recognition, and stewardship that deepen their connection to the YMCA and its mission.
• Coordinates donor recognition programs and stewardship activities across the Development department.
• Promotes responsible stewardship of philanthropic relationships and resources, including compliance with donor intent.

Organizational Collaboration & Community Representation

• Works closely with program, finance, marketing, operations, and other leaders to ensure fundraising strategies accurately reflect YMCA priorities, community needs, and measurable impact.
• Serves as a visible and credible ambassador for the YMCA and communicates its mission, programs, impact, and vision to donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Develops and sustains relationships that strengthen the YMCA’s philanthropic reach, community partnerships, and long-term impact.

LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH

The Vice President of Development has an important opportunity to shape the next phase of philanthropy at the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver.

As philanthropic revenue, programs, and organizational opportunities expand, including capital campaigns, the Vice President works with the CEO to evaluate the Development department’s structure and determine were additional talent, specialization, or capacity may be needed.

Success in this position will be measured by contributed revenue growth, the Vice President’s ability to strengthen philanthropic relationships, develop effective staff and team culture, build sustainable fundraising systems, and create capacity for the organization’s future growth.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making
• Problem Solving
• Inclusion
• Relationship Building
• Financial Management

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Regularly uses computers, phones, and other office technology for extended periods.
• Regularly communicates with employees, Board members, donors, volunteers, partners, and community stakeholders in person, by phone, and through electronic communication.
• Frequently sits, stands, and moves throughout office, YMCA, meeting, and event environments.
• Requires local travel and attendance at meetings and events at various locations.

• The noise level in the work environment is generally low to moderate.

DISCLAIMER

The YMCA of Metropolitan Denver reserves the right to modify, add, or remove job duties and responsibilities as business needs evolve.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required for the position.

Employment with the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or the organization at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT

The YMCA of Metropolitan Denver is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION & RISK MANAGEMENT

The YMCA is committed to the safety and well-being of all children and vulnerable individuals. As part of our commitment to child abuse prevention and Praesidium accreditation standards, all employees are required to comply with YMCA abuse prevention policies, including screening, training, supervision, and reporting requirements.  

Qualifications & Benefits

QUALIFICATIONS

• Five or more years of progressively responsible fundraising and development experience, including experience leading people, fundraising initiatives, or multiple development functions.
• Demonstrated success in major individual donor cultivation and relationship-building, or equivalent success across multiple fundraising channels such as annual giving, grants, and corporate giving.
• Strong knowledge of the Denver-area and Colorado philanthropic community; established relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, civic leaders, and other philanthropic partners are strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising, coaching, and developing staff, with the ability to establish clear expectations and foster accountability.
• Ability to think strategically across multiple fundraising channels, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, grants, and capital campaigns, and to build systems that support sustainable growth.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a CEO, senior leadership, Board members, volunteers, donors, and community partners.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including the judgment, presence, and communication skills necessary to engage donors and community leaders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate organizational priorities, community impact, and opportunities for philanthropic investment.
• Working knowledge of donor management/CRM systems, prospect management, donor stewardship, gift administration, and fundraising performance measures.
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic leadership with relationship-building, operational execution, and personal donor engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt fundraising strategies, systems, and team capacity as an organization grows.
• Knowledge and understanding of general business matters, including strategic planning, budget development, and financial reporting.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience. CFRE or advanced degree preferred but not required.
• Commitment to inclusion, shared accountability, teamwork, and the YMCA’s mission and values.

BENEFITS
•    Health and Vision Care
•    Dental
•    Generous Retirement Contribution Options -Includes company contribution of 10% once eligibility is met
•    Paid Time off
•    Paid Sick Leave
•    Paid Holidays
•    Free Membership
•    Program Discounts
•    Employee Assistance Program