Director of Development

Posting Summary

M-F; 8 am to 5 pm; Occasional nights and/or weekends

Virginia Peninsula Community College is a two-year institution of higher education established as a part of a statewide system of community colleges. It primarily serves the residents of the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg, and the counties of James City and York.

The Director of Development is Virginia Peninsula Community College’s (VPCC) senior fundraising leader, responsible for advancing the mission of the College and its Educational Foundation through comprehensive development efforts. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement, this role oversees all fundraising initiatives, including annual giving, major gifts, and capital campaigns, and manages relationships with individual, corporate, foundation, and community donors.

The Director provides leadership and supervision for the development team, ensuring the capacity, strategy, and performance needed to meet fundraising goals. This position requires strong leadership, proven fundraising expertise, and a commitment to supporting access and opportunity in community college education.

Duties and responsibilities
Fundraising & Portfolio Management

· Plan and execute a comprehensive fundraising program, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns, special events, and private grants.

· Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, conducting purposeful in-person and virtual visits.

· Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors with capacity for significant gifts.

· Advance prospects through the full donor engagement cycle using effective moves-management practices.

· Develop compelling, donor-centered proposals, gift strategies, and impact reports.

· Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals in partnership with College leadership.

Stewardship & Donor Relations

· Design and implement stewardship strategies that demonstrate donor impact and encourage continued investment.

· Coordinate donor engagement activities, including campus visits, scholarship events, and special gatherings.

· Ensure accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions and records.

· Support donor communications, including impact updates, newsletters, and annual reporting.

Leadership & Collaboration

· Supervise and mentor development staff, providing direction, training, and performance accountability.

· Collaborate with the President, Board members, faculty, staff, and volunteers to support peer-to-peer fundraising.

· Represent the Foundation and College at donor meetings, community events, and professional conferences.

· Build relationships with local businesses, civic organizations, faith communities, and philanthropic networks.

· Communicate a clear and compelling case for support aligned with the College’s mission and priorities.

Candidates must possess a master’s degree from an accredited institution (preferably in marketing, business, nonprofit management, or a related field) and several years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including demonstrated success in major gift solicitation. A proven record of personally securing major gifts is required, along with experience managing fundraising campaigns, donor portfolios, and donor database systems.

· Leading fundraising and donor engagement efforts within a nonprofit or higher education environment

· Cultivating and soliciting support from executives and high-capacity donors

· Applying current development best practices and stewardship strategies

· Managing nonprof