Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Development

Job description

The Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Development (VPSPD) is a newly established executive leadership role reporting directly to the CEO. This leader will build and execute UWBA's long-term fundraising strategy by expanding individual, corporate, and foundation philanthropy while helping shape the organization's next chapter of growth and financial sustainability. As a member of UWBA's Executive Leadership Team, the VPSPD partners closely with the CEO and senior leaders to align fundraising strategy with organizational priorities — helping shape the organization's case for investment, cultivating and stewarding UWBA's highest-value relationships, and translating strategic priorities into donor-ready funding opportunities. This role carries primary responsibility for building UWBA's individual giving and planned giving program into a mature, sustainable pipeline — an area where the VPSPD will bring proven, hands-on expertise and will grow dedicated staff capacity as revenue grows. The VPSPD also oversees UWBA's existing Corporate Partnerships team, ensuring that corporate philanthropy and sponsorship revenue continue to grow, and works cross-functionally with UWBA's marketing and impact teams to translate program outcomes into compelling donor storytelling. This is an opportunity to shape the future of one of the Bay Area's leading nonprofit organizations by building sustainable philanthropic partnerships that expand opportunity and strengthen communities. Essential Duties Fundraising Strategy & Executive Partnership •Partner closely with the CEO to develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy spanning individual, corporate, and foundation giving, serving as a trusted executive partner in preparing briefing materials, meeting strategy, and donor communications. •Help shape and continuously refine UWBA's case for investment, translating the Youth Opportunity, Economic Growth, and Community Resiliency pillars into compelling, donor-ready funding narratives. •Lead cultivation and stewardship of UWBA's highest-value donor and partner relationships, in close partnership with the CEO and board, including Tocqueville Society and other principal-gift donors. •Partner with UWBA's marketing and impact teams to share compelling program outcomes and storytelling with donors, ensuring communications are grounded in real, current impact data. Individual Giving & Planned Giving •Serve as UWBA's lead strategist and practitioner for individual giving, personally managing a portfolio of major and principal gift donors through the full cultivation-to-stewardship cycle. •Build and personally lead UWBA's planned giving program during its early stages, establishing moves-management practices, solicitation strategy, and stewardship standards while developing the long-term staffing model to support future growth. Corporate Partnerships Oversight •Provide executive leadership for UWBA's existing Corporate Partnerships team, ensuring clear goals, accountability, and professional development. •Drive continued growth of corporate philanthropy, workplace giving, and sponsorship revenue in support of the Pathways to Prosperity Campaign and other fundraising priorities. •Ensure corporate partnership strategy is well-integrated with UWBA's broader individual and foundation fundraising efforts. Fundraising Operations & Growth •Build and grow UWBA's major donor and foundation prospect pipeline through prospect research, relationship mapping, and regular pipeline review and accountability processes. •Direct the full fundraising cycle — from prospecting and cultivation through solicitation, stewardship, and gift acknowledgment. •Serve as senior administrator for UWBA's donor CRM system (Salesforce), overseeing data integrity, reporting, and best practices. •Establish and manage fundraising systems, calendars, and proposal timelines that improve efficiency, and establish and monitor revenue goals and budgets in partnership with the CEO and CFO. •Instill a data-driven mindset within the development team, using reliable, market-tested data to inform fundraising decisions. Communications & External Representation •Collaborate with the communications team to develop donor materials, proposals, and impact reports, ensuring quality control and consistency of messaging across all donor and partner communications. •Represent UWBA externally at donor meetings, community events, and partner convenings across the eight-county service area. •Monitor the funding landscape — including shifting government funding dynamics — and adjust fundraising strategy in response to emerging risks and opportunities. Leadership & Success Profile Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to: Mission-Driven Leadership •Champion UWBA's mission with ethical, transparent leadership and responsible stewardship of donor resources. Relationship-Centered Fundraising •Build trusted, credible relationships across the Board, donors, funders, and community stakeholders to advance UWBA's strategic priorities. Strategic Growth & Innovation •Lead with curiosity and agility to execute fundraising strategies that diversify revenue and strengthen long-term sustainability. Qualifications Required •7+ years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit development and fundraising leadership. •Solid, proven track record of success in individual giving, with demonstrated success in planned giving strategy and/or closing planned gifts. •Demonstrated success securing six-figure gifts across individual, corporate, and foundation philanthropy while managing the full fundraising lifecycle. •Experience building, managing, and developing a team of fundraising professionals. •Hands-on experience with cloud-based CRM systems (Salesforce preferred). •Strong relationship-building skills with board members, donors, and corporate executives, paired with excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills. •Bachelor's degree required; willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout UWBA's eight-county Bay Area service area. •Demonstrated commitment to equity and UWBA's mission and values. Preferred •Advanced degree in nonprofit management, business, or a related field. •Experience with capital or comprehensive fundraising campaigns. •Existing relationships within the Bay Area philanthropic community. •Experience building or scaling fundraising infrastructure and teams within a growing organization. We value collaboration, curiosity, accountability, and a willingness to build alongside colleagues during a period of organizational growth and transformation. About United Way Bay Area United Way Bay Area (UWBA) unites people, resources, and partners across the Bay Area so that everyone has a real chance at stability, opportunity, and belonging. Our work is organized around our pathways for prosperity — Youth Opportunity, Economic Growth, and Community Resiliency — and delivered through flagship programs including 211, SparkPoint, OnTrack, and Safety Net Services. For more than a century, UWBA has served as a convener, funder, and strategic partner at the center of the region's fight against poverty and inequity.