Position Purpose:

The Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) leads the Vermont Foodbank (VF) Philanthropy Department which includes fundraising, marketing, communications, advocacy, and volunteer services. The CPO hosts the team and supports systems that allow staff in each of these areas to be successful, and prioritizes optimization of staffing and department structure, collaboration, communication and strategic planning. The VF Philanthropy Department defines Philanthropy as the art of facilitating love of community. The CPO demonstrates leadership in building an organizational and team culture centered on building the systems, strategies, and teamwork needed to raise the resources and engagement to advance the organization's mission and vision. The CPO plays an integral part in the overall direction of the Foodbank.

Please note that we will only be accepting applications for 2 weeks. The last day of accepting applications will be April 24th, 2024. Also, Candidates must be within driving distance from our Barre Office (although the position is considered hybrid).

Supervisors are expected to be unequivocally committed to enabling equity work throughout the organization by practicing inclusive and transparent management and by helping to reshape positions, priorities and goals, and budgets to better center equity.

Building equity and racial justice into Vermont Foodbank's organizational practices is everyone's responsibility, and it requires the commitment and collaboration of every employee and team. Therefore, everyone is expected to honor diversity, contribute to an inclusive organizational culture, and leverage their own personal agency and scope of influence to center equity.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Develops, motivates, hosts, and supervises an effective team, with an emphasis on collaboration andpartnership. Responsibilities include hiring and onboarding, performance and workload management, goal setting, conflict management, resourcing and cross-training, coaching and personal/professional development planning
• Clearly articulates and shares out Philanthropy Team expectations and ensures regular review of them.
• Contributes to fostering a culture of continuous learning and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Prioritizes staying informed about the work, needs, and priorities of the organization.
• Develops and manages departmental budget.
• Leads process and strategy for how to effectively fund the vision of the organization.
• Collaborates on organizational budgeting and establishing annual and multi-year funding goals and plans,tracking systems, and projections.
• Embodies Vermont Foodbank's equity commitments and team accountability.
• Partners with the finance department to assure sound fiscal operation of the development function includingtimely, accurate and comprehensive development of charitable contributions income and expense budgets,reporting, monitoring and implementation.
• Meets regularly with direct reports and fosters Philanthropy Team engagement toward collaboration and communication.
• Ensures Philanthropy Team priorities and work plans are aligned to strategic direction and organizational goals.
• Works closely with CEO and director of strategic giving to plan and execute major donor fundraising campaigns and related case for support.
• Provides support for grants team and grant applications/reporting as needed.
• Works with marketing & communications team on high-level strategy, communication plans, and talking points.
• Participates in advocacy efforts as part of the legislative strategy team in order to secure state and federal resources.
• Supports maintenance of a comprehensive and accurate database on donors and the Foodbank's relationshipwith them, including gift tracking, acknowledgment, recognition, cultivation strategies, and generalcommunication with donors.
• Maintains and manages portfolio of key relationships (corporate, foundation, individuals, and board)
• Supports Volunteer Services Team with strategy, planning, and trouble-shooting as needed.
• Continually evaluates established policies and procedures, and updates or modifies them as necessary, i.e. Gift Acceptance Policy, Data Security Policy, etc.
• Ensures compliance with all relevant regulations and laws, maintain accountability standards to donors, and ensure compliance with code of ethical principles and standards of professional conduct for fundraising executives.
• Compiles and presents department work via reports and presentations to board and staff.
• Assesses cost effectiveness and productivity of fundraising strategies.
• Maintains current knowledge of industry best practices, ethical fundraising, and storytelling. Other
• Attends seminars, conferences, and workshops as appropriate to the mission of the Foodbank and professional development.
• Participates in board meetings, and board committee meetings as appropriate.
• Participates in special projects and initiatives as requested.
• Works cooperatively and communicatively with staff and volunteers to support the mission and goals of the Foodbank.
• Positively contribute to an organizational culture of safe and secure food handling, warehousing and distribution.
• The Foodbank relies on volunteers every day to fulfill our mission. All Foodbank employees must support our culture of Philanthropy by treating every volunteer with appreciation and respect.
• This position will occasionally be required to travel to other Foodbank locations and to attend required meetings, trainings, etc. Some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.
• This position is regularly exposed to organization-wide confidential information: including but not limited to: financial, personnel, volunteer and vendor. A high degree of confidentiality and discretion is required.

Other Functions:

• Any other duties as assigned by Chief Executive Officer.

Skills/Qualifications:

• The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities an individual needs in order to perform this job successfully.

Education and/or Experience:

• 8+ years' of managerial experience as a senior development officer with nonprofit organizations or as a consultant.
• Bachelor's degree or comparable experience required.
• Knowledgeable of current best practices and dedicated to continuous learning
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with a broad and diverse range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience with diversity, equity and inclusion theory and practice. Understanding of the socio-economic impact of hunger and hunger issues.
• Experience with building a collaborative, inclusive, engaged team culture.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Strong and effective interpersonal, communication and management skills, with the ability to engage a team in strategy design and decision-making; a communication style that reflects clarity, authenticity, transparency, and approachability.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; effective, engaging facilitation and presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Working knowledge of best, promising, and emerging practices and innovations in Philanthropy and marketing.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information effectively and confidentially.
• The ability to iterate a strategy and approach, take risks, course-correct.
• A willingness to challenge conventional thinking & traditional professional norms, coupled with the ability to collaborate effectively and encourage dialogue.
• A demonstrated ability to plan and operate strategically, to build public support, to develop and strengthen fundraising infrastructure, to inspire staff, to develop strong working relationships with Boards of Directors, and to develop effective fundraising programs.
• A strategic approach to Philanthropy, with significant experience in cultivating and managing donors.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, set goals and objectives, organize, and implement to completion.
• Ability to foster collaboration internally and externally in order to attain Foodbank goals.
• A strong interpersonal and communication skill set and demonstrated ability to work effectively with and gain the respect and support of varied and changing constituencies including staff, Board members, existing and potential donors, volunteers, and other key stakeholders.
• In instances of a federal, state or locally declared emergency, Vermont Foodbank is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all of its employees may be called in to perform regular or emergent duties.

Language Skills:

• Excellent writing skills required.

Technical/Computer Skills:

• Computer literacy required.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge a plus.

Certifications/Licenses/Registrations:

• A valid Vermont Driver's License.
• 3-year motor vehicle report (MVR) showing a clean driving record.

For Supervisory/Management Employees Only

How many employees will this position supervise? 6

What type of positions will this supervisor direct?

• Philanthropy Systems & Database Manager
• Director of Philanthropy, Marketing & Communications
• Senior Grants & Contracts Manager
• Director of Strategic Giving
• Corporate Philanthropy Manager
• Volunteer Services & Community Philanthropy Manager

What types of administrative or budgetary responsibilities are required in this position?

• Responsible for entire fundraising, PR & communications budget.

Compensation details: 126000-126000 Yearly Salary