Description
The Vice President, Development is a senior member of the Advancement leadership team at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. This role is responsible for the development and execution of results-driven fundraising strategy and donor engagement in support of the Arboretum’s mission and long-term financial sustainability.
Rooted in nonprofit philanthropy and constituent engagement, the position directs a comprehensive development and membership program encompassing annual giving, major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, sponsorships and events, membership acquisition and retention, donor and member stewardship, gifts-in-kind, and capital campaign readiness in accordance with recognized best practices and ethical standards.
Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Vice President, Development works in close partnership with Board leadership, volunteers, senior staff, and other internal and external stakeholders to build meaningful philanthropic relationships, grow revenue, and strengthen a culture of philanthropy enterprise-wide.
Note: This role is NOT a real estate development, commercial business development, leasing, or transactional sales position.
Requirements
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer, Advancement and Senior Leadership teams, the Board, and other internal and external stakeholders to establish and implement a 3- to 5-year philanthropic and membership strategy aligned with the Arboretum’s mission, values, strategic priorities, and fundraising best practices.
- Lead the development and execution of annual operating and long-term plans with measurable goals for revenue (development + membership), constituent engagement, pipeline growth and retention.
- Provide strategic insight into membership segmentation, upgrades (e.g., from member to donor), donor/member lifecycle management, and integration of membership and major gift strategies.
- Advise senior leadership and Board on trends in philanthropy and membership, benchmarking performance, and emerging opportunities (e.g., planned giving, digital giving, affinity-based engagement).
Fund Development & Membership Revenue Growth
- Prepare and manage departmental budget to achieve annual revenue goals (development + membership), oversee expenses/invoices, monitor financials and reconcile month-end results in partnership with Finance.
- Oversee all fundraising programs to achieve targets, including:
- Annual Fund and Membership Giving (e.g., Caroline Rose Hunt Society, Friends programs).
- Major Gifts — Identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-net-worth prospects and major donors/members.
- Corporate Relations and Event Sponsorships — Secure sponsorships, manage benefits and stewardship.
- Foundation/Grants — Identify prospects, write and submit proposals, steward foundation relationships.
- Gifts-in-Kind — Secure in-kind donations aligned with institutional needs.
- Special Events — Plan and lead major fundraising events (e.g., annual gala) with revenue and participation targets; oversee member engagement events.
- Oversee membership team: develop and execute membership acquisition strategy, retention/renewal programs, upgrade path to higher membership levels or donor-circles, analyze membership data/metrics (e.g., number of members, renewal rate, conversion to donors).
- Serve as a visible and effective ambassador for the Arboretum’s mission by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic relationships with donors, members, corporate partners, foundations, and other key stakeholders through personalized engagement, onsite experiences, events, and stewardship activities.
Team Leadership & Volunteer Engagement
- Lead, supervise, evaluate, and mentor direct reports: development officers, membership staff, events/sponsorships, donor services. Foster a high-performing, donor/member-centric culture.
- Collaborate with volunteer leadership, including Board standing committees and chairs (e.g., Contributed Revenue Committee); support volunteers in their cultivation and solicitation roles.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships across the organization – including educational and public programs, finance, guest experience, horticulture, marketing/communications, sales and special events, and operations – to ensure an integrated Advancement function.
Analytics, Stewardship & Operations
- Utilize donor/member database (e.g., Raiser’s Edge or equivalent) to manage major gift and membership pipelines, track metrics (e.g., donor/member retention, average gift/member value, conversion rates), prepare regular reports for senior leadership and Board.
- Ensure adherence to fundraising best practices, ethical standards, and gift acceptance policies, including compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, and oversee donor and member stewardship and recognition through timely acknowledgements, reporting, events, and long-term engagement.
- Oversee fundraising and membership events, ensuring membership benefits, event ROI, sponsorship deliverables, and seamless execution.
- Serve as a key liaison to finance and operations to ensure timely invoice/payment processing, budget monitoring, and fiscal responsibility.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in nonprofit philanthropic development is required. Note: Experience primarily focused on real estate development, commercial business development, sales, leasing, or for-profit revenue generation does not meet the qualifications for this role.
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential strongly preferred or ability to obtain within the first year of employment.
- At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience leading development/fundraising programs (including major gifts, membership, corporate/foundation fundraising) preferably in a cultural, higher education, botanical garden or nonprofit environment.
- Demonstrated success in recruiting, managing, and motivating a development/membership team and volunteer leaders.
- Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals, including major gifts and membership revenue growth.
- Strong knowledge of philanthropic fundraising best practices, including major gifts, planned giving, foundation/grants, events/sponsorships, and membership programs.
- Excellent public speaking and written communication skills; polished professional presence with members, donors, volunteers, board, and community stakeholders.
- Experience using donor/member database systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) and strong proficiency with MS Office platform.
Strong strategic, analytical and financial acumen: comfortable setting and tracking goals, using metrics, forecasting revenue, managing budgets and expenses. - Comfortable working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends for events, donor/member receptions, site tours; ability to drive garden vehicles and personal vehicle on Arboretum business; valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
- High energy, self-motivated, and diplomatic with excellent judgment, problem-solving, multitasking ability, and an ability to build positive relationships with donors, members, sponsors, staff and volunteers.
- Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, community engagement, and building a culture of philanthropy across the institution.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Strategic leadership: Able to set clear expectations, hold self and team accountable, drive results.
- Relationship builder: Able to develop and nurture positive relationships with individuals, foundations, corporations, volunteers, and members.
- Goal and deadline-oriented: Organized, professional work ethic, able to multitask and respond to change.
- Collaborative and inclusive: Works effectively with staff, volunteers, board, stakeholders, and across departments.
- Adaptable and resilient: Able to navigate changing priorities in a dynamic institutional environment.
- Data-driven decision-maker: Leverages data and metrics to inform strategy and improve performance.
- Stewardship mindset: Ensures donors and members feel valued, engaged, and connected to the institution’s mission and impact.
To help you stay energized, engaged, and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including comprehensive healthcare, a 401K, and Paid Time Off (PTO).
The mission of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is to be a garden for all that enriches lives through beauty, learning, and connection. We are a world-class sanctuary where people and plants flourish in the natural environment.
The Dallas Arboretum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, genetic characteristics or disability unrelated to job performance.
