Senior Vice President, Development

As the Senior Vice President of Development at Per Scholas, you will oversee the creation and implementation of multi-year fundraising strategies while directly managing a diverse team of fundraisers across 20+ local markets. Your role will include strategic account management of various funders, coaching regional development leads, and producing essential tools and reports to support the fundraising process.

Candidates for the Senior Vice President of Development position at Per Scholas should have at least 10 years of fundraising experience, encompassing grant writing, corporate partnerships, and individual giving. Experience in leadership, management, and coaching of fundraising teams is essential, alongside exceptional communication skills and a passion for diversity and inclusion.

The Senior Vice President of Development plays a crucial role in advancing the mission of Per Scholas by establishing and executing effective fundraising strategies that support our tech training programs. This impact extends to uplifting communities, increasing access to technology careers, and creating inclusive talent pipelines with diverse backgrounds.

Per Scholas promotes a collaborative and inclusive culture where the Senior Vice President of Development is expected to foster relationships both within the organization and with external stakeholders. We encourage a culture of fundraising through continuous learning, teamwork, and a shared commitment to our mission of equity and opportunity in tech training.

Yes, the Senior Vice President of Development at Per Scholas should expect to travel around 10-15% of the time to engage with local teams and stakeholders across various markets as part of the role’s responsibilities.

When answering this question, be sure to describe your relevant experiences in fundraising and team management. Highlight specific successes you’ve had in raising funds, leading a team, and how you fostered collaboration among your team members. Use metrics to illustrate your achievements whenever possible.

In your response, explain your approach to comprehensive research on market trends, stakeholder analysis, and goal-setting. Discuss how you would engage with various teams at Per Scholas, align objectives with the organization’s mission, and continuously evaluate and adapt the strategy based on outcomes and feedback.

Share a specific story where you successfully built and maintained a partnership in your previous roles. Focus on the steps you took to initiate the partnership, the challenges faced, and the outcomes that resulted from your collaboration. Emphasize your communication skills and the strategies that contributed to the success.

Discuss the various tools you've utilized, such as CRM systems, data analysis software, or project management tools. Describe your proficiency in these technologies and how they have enhanced your fundraising processes. Mention familiarity with Salesforce and Microsoft Office as relevant technologies for this role.

When discussing your coaching approach, consider emphasizing the importance of providing constructive feedback, establishing clear goals, and creating an inclusive learning environment. Mention specific techniques or mentorship activities you've engaged in to foster growth among your team members.

Outline strategies you've found effective for both acquiring new donors and retaining existing ones. Discuss segmentation of donor lists, personalized communication, appreciation initiatives, and reporting back to donors on how their contributions have made an impact.

Explain how you establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for fundraising initiatives, including metrics like donor engagement, revenue targets, and outreach success. Additionally, talk about how data analysis contributes to your strategic decision-making process.

Bring attention to your grant writing experience by highlighting specific grants you've successfully written and secured. Talk about your approach to aligning grant proposals with organizational priorities, as well as the reporting processes you’ve utilized to keep stakeholders informed throughout project timelines.

Share your techniques for relationship building, such as regular communication, engagement through events, and providing updates on funded projects. Stress the importance of understanding stakeholder needs and goals to align your approach with their interests effectively.

Discuss current challenges in the fundraising landscape such as economic factors, increased competition for donations, or shifts in donor priorities. Offer solutions or methods you’d implement to navigate these challenges, demonstrating your awareness of industry trends and your proactive approach to finding solutions.