Chief Development Officer, Development

Who we are:

The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they’re fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. For more information, visit vera.org.

Vera has a staff of 216 people, is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York and has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.

About the role:

What You'll Do

As a member of Vera's Leadership Team, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) will serve as the chief architect of the organization's fundraising strategy and culture at a pivotal moment in its history. Vera's revenue model is evolving in response to shifts in its funding strategy, and the CDO will set an ambitious multi-year vision to expand resources, diversify revenue, and accelerate impact across the justice system. The CDO and their team will be charged with growing a current program of $25M annually, with a sharpened focus on principal and major gifts. This leader will play a vital role in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding new funders whose interests intersect with Vera's core justice work (e.g. champions of democracy and civic engagement, immigration justice, and economic prosperity and mobility). They will have the vision and storytelling ability to connect Vera's mission to the values and aspirations of new and existing partners, broadening the circle of those invested in systemic change.

Inspiring and guiding a talented development team, the CDO will help embed a culture of philanthropy across the organization and partner closely with the Board to unlock bold new opportunities. They will also work as a trusted advisor to the President & Director, aligning fundraising strategy with Vera's visionary programming and national leadership on urgent issues of justice and equity.

For an accomplished development leader with a deep commitment to equity and systemic change, this is a rare opportunity to shape the future of one of the nation's most influential justice organizations at a dynamic and consequential time.

Qualified Individuals, please apply at http://www.on-ramps.com/open-positions/3540

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Fundraising Strategy and Vision

• Design and execute an ambitious fundraising strategy to grow the fundraising program (current average: $25M)
• Develop and implement annual and multi-year development strategies and goals with a focus on continual growth
• Establish clear goals, benchmarks, and metrics to measure progress and ensure accountability, creating and solidifying a results oriented culture of philanthropy
• Serve as a strategist for ongoing development of the principal and major gifts program
• Identify, cultivate, and elevate high net worth donors to secure principal and major gifts of six-and-seven figures
• Manage and grow a personal portfolio of about 30 prospects
• Anticipate shifts in the philanthropic landscape and seize opportunities that align with Vera's mission and strategic priorities

External Leadership and Board Management

• Lead the donor cultivation strategy, elevating other team members as needed, to implement a consistent and effective approach that keeps funders engaged and team members accountable
• Narrate Vera's mission and vision in compelling fashion, tailoring the message and pitch according to the particular stakeholder
• Collaborate with the Board of Trustees to maximize their role in fundraising, supporting individual and collective goals, and leading the Development Committee in advancing results
• In partnership with each board member, set expectations for developing and meeting individual give-and-get goals
• Manage Vera's Board of Trustees Development Committee

Team Development and Organizational Impact

• Develop, mentor, and lead a high-performing development team with the infrastructure and practices to achieve ambitious growth
• Champion and embed a culture of philanthropy across the organization, ensuring fundraising is embraced as a shared responsibility
• Foster alignment across the team by clearly communicating vision, priorities, and progress so that every member is working toward shared goals with clarity and confidence
• Manage with rigor and empathy, balancing clear accountability for results with support for staff
• Build systems and processes that support a culture of accountability and results orientation, instilling trust through shared goals, transparent communication, and ongoing thought partnership

Who You'll Work With

• You will report to President & Director, Nicholas Turner
• You will supervise a team of 11 made of four teams.

What qualifications are we looking for?

• At least 15 years of development experience, including:
  • 5+ years leading a development team to meet or exceed their fundraising and cash-in goals
  • Demonstrated success securing six and seven-figure gifts from principal major gift prospects
  • Track record of growing a development program creatively and strategically, while also growing the culture of philanthropy across an organization's programs and board
• Experience with fundraising for an organization with c3 and c4 activity
• Experience creating narratives and communicating complex program work to a donor audience
• Professional commitment to social justice; previous experience in a social justice environment highly preferred
• Ability to embrace and communicate Vera's vision and goals, reflecting a dedication to social justice, equity and inclusion
• Commitment to leading by example, including demonstrating and fostering a sense of urgency, strong commitment/accountability, and sound decision-making to achieve goals
• Demonstrated team management and the ability to encourage and inspire colleagues and team to stretch beyond what they think they can accomplish
• Ability to work in an evolving landscape and in an organization with growing infrastructure

Location:

Please note this role will report to our New York, NY office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month. Senior leaders within the organization, such as this role, are encouraged to be present to support their teams on a more frequent basis.

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $265,000 - $300,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. To learn more about Vera’s benefits offerings, click here. 

Qualified Individuals, please apply at http://www.on-ramps.com/open-positions/3540

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People, Place, and Culture / Chief Development Officer, Development
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Vera is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status. 

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. 

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org.