Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Development

Accountabilities:

As Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Development, you will work directly with executive leadership to shape and execute fundraising strategy, strengthen donor engagement, and establish the systems needed for sustainable philanthropic growth. Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead fundraising strategy: Partner with the President and CEO, CFO, and executive leadership of the affiliated advocacy organization to develop and implement comprehensive philanthropic strategies aligned with organizational priorities.

• Support executive donor engagement: Prepare for major donor and foundation meetings through prospect research, relationship mapping, briefing materials, meeting strategies, and tailored communications.

• Cultivate and steward strategic relationships: Identify opportunities to engage major donors and institutional funders, develop personalized solicitation strategies, and ensure timely follow-up and ongoing stewardship.

• Manage the prospect pipeline: Build and maintain a prioritized pipeline of major donors and foundations, including cultivation plans, funding targets, relationship ownership, next steps, and stewardship activities.

• Establish fundraising accountability: Organize regular pipeline reviews, track performance, and implement processes that strengthen accountability and ensure consistent follow-through.

• Lead grant development and communications: Produce high-quality grant proposals, reports, concept papers, donor correspondence, pitch decks, and other persuasive materials for prospective and existing funders.

• Translate strategy into funding opportunities: Turn policy, advocacy, research, legal, and member-support initiatives into compelling investment cases supported by clear narratives, evidence, and measurable impact.

• Strengthen fundraising operations: Develop and maintain fundraising systems, procedures, calendars, proposal timelines, donor databases, and tracking tools to improve efficiency and coordination.

• Create consistent operating rhythms: Establish effective protocols for meeting preparation, follow-up, stewardship, reporting, and cross-functional fundraising reviews.

• Coordinate cross-functional teams: Work with Finance, Communications, Advocacy, Policy, Legal, Research, and Program teams to gather information, align messaging, prepare proposals, and fulfill donor commitments.

• Refine strategic messaging: Collaborate with executive leadership to develop the organization's case for investment, tailoring funding narratives and proof points to different donor audiences and incorporating feedback and philanthropic trends.

• Support advocacy and organizational initiatives: Contribute to local and state-level campaign efforts for the affiliated advocacy organization, support sponsored events and activities, and participate in initiatives such as the annual charter schools conference and internal diversity, equity, and inclusion activities.

• Build long-term fundraising capacity: Strengthen leadership practices, donor relationships, and organizational processes to create a more strategic, coordinated, and sustainable development function.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate brings substantial leadership experience in fundraising, philanthropy, strategy, public affairs, or a related field, combined with exceptional writing, project management, and relationship-building skills. You should be comfortable working directly with senior executives, coordinating complex initiatives without direct authority, and translating organizational priorities into compelling funding opportunities. Required and preferred qualifications include:

• Professional experience: Approximately 10 or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in fundraising, philanthropy, public affairs, government relations, nonprofit leadership, strategy, consulting, executive support, chief of staff roles, or a related field.

• Fundraising and donor relations: Demonstrated experience cultivating and stewarding relationships with major donors, institutional funders, and philanthropic partners.

• Strategic execution: A proven ability to lead complex initiatives, identify high-value opportunities, and deliver measurable results through collaboration, influence, and strong follow-through.

• Exceptional writing skills: Experience developing persuasive proposals, executive communications, donor materials, briefing documents, and other high-quality written content.

• Executive partnership: Strong executive presence and the ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders while exercising discretion and sound professional judgment.

• Project and operational management: Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate stakeholders, and establish effective processes and accountability systems.

• Communication and interpersonal skills: Strong verbal communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate compelling narratives to diverse audiences.

• Strategic and critical thinking: Ability to evaluate funding opportunities, interpret organizational priorities, and align fundraising strategies with long-term goals.

• Influence without direct authority: Experience coordinating and motivating contributors across teams, including managing complex projects without direct reports.

• Political and organizational awareness: Sound judgment, discretion, and sensitivity when navigating complex stakeholder relationships and public-facing initiatives.

• Mission alignment: Commitment to educational opportunity and a demonstrated interest in advancing mission-driven work.

• Inclusive leadership: Commitment to fostering a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace that values individual differences.

• Education: A bachelor's or master's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, public policy, communications, or a related field is preferred.

• Relevant sector knowledge: Experience with advocacy organizations, membership organizations, or public policy environments is strongly preferred. Familiarity with California education, advocacy, or nonprofit organizations is also an advantage.

• Travel availability: Willingness to travel, including overnight trips, for donor meetings, conferences, organizational events, staff retreats, and other work-related activities as needed.

• Application requirement: Applicants must submit a cover letter explaining what resonates with them about the mission, why they are an exceptional candidate for the position, and where they learned about the opportunity.

Benefits:

• Annual salary: $129,560–$150,570, with the starting salary determined by relevant experience, specialized training, and applicable certifications.

• Transparent compensation policy: A no-negotiation salary policy designed to support equity and consistency in compensation.

• Fully remote workplace: Work remotely from anywhere within California, with colleagues located throughout the state, including Los Angeles, Sacramento, the Bay Area, the Central Valley, and San Diego.

• Healthcare coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits available upon hire.

• Retirement savings: Eligibility for a 401(k) plan with an employer match of up to 6% after the first 90 days of employment.

• Generous paid time off: Paid leave designed to support employee well-being and work-life balance.

• Mission-driven work: Opportunity to advance educational opportunity and contribute to long-term philanthropic sustainability.

• Executive-level exposure: Direct partnership with senior leadership and the opportunity to shape strategic fundraising priorities.

• Professional impact: The chance to build fundraising systems, develop major donor relationships, and strengthen organizational effectiveness.

• Collaborative culture: Work across multiple teams in a remote organization committed to inclusion, collaboration, and meaningful impact.