Vice President of Development

The Vice President of Development furthers the mission of ISMHS by assuming responsibility for the strategic growth of philanthropic support for the institution. The person in the role will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donors while managing the annual fund to meet or exceed annual revenue goals in support of the institution’s mission.

This position leads the development team and reports directly to the President & CEO. The Vice President will be based in downtown Indianapolis and occasionally be required to travel statewide to work directly with the communities surrounding ISMHS’s 12 locations, as well as to work occasional weekends and evenings.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to build and strengthen relationships among donors and prospective donors that result in an increase of funding support.
• Manage an active major gift and individual portfolio of donors to secure support for operations, exhibits, programs, and other institutional priorities.
• Identify new prospective donors through research, community outreach and relationship building to cultivate new donations.
• Work in partnership with the President & CEO and CFO to market and pursue planned giving opportunities.
• Manage the Development department to achieve annual fundraising priorities.
• Evaluate, update and manage ISMHS’s donor stewardship efforts.
• Manage the President & CEO’s portfolio to ensure timely donor stewardship communications.
• Manage the annual board giving process and work with the President & CEO on prospecting and cultivating the board’s sphere of influence.
• Prepare President & CEO for donor meetings and manage follow up.
• Support the President & CEO at events to ensure donors are cultivated and stewarded.
• Coordinate site visits, exhibition tours, and behind-the-scenes tours for funders with ISMHS leadership.
• Lead ISMHS events, tours, and other stewardship activities.
• Monitor department budget in coordination with President & CEO and CFO.
• Represent ISMHS at donor meetings and events and maintain a community presence for engaging with current and prospective donors.
• Track proposals, donor interactions, stewardship activities and reports through CRM database, Blackbaud Altru.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Skilled facilitator, capable of articulating institutional objectives to funders.
• Persuasive communication skills required, including the ability to draft compelling appeals, acknowledgement letters, grants and emails.
• The ability to effectively present information in one-on-one, small group, and formal presentations/public speaking required.
• High level of organization and accuracy.
• The ability to manage several tasks and deadlines at once; maintain flexibility as funding priorities may shift.
• Handle information confidentially and manage donor relationships with a high degree of personal integrity.
• Strong commitment to teamwork and ability to work effectively across multiple departments and at all levels of the organization.
• Must demonstrate a high degree of creativity, energy, self-initiative, and responsiveness.
• Minimum of five years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in soliciting six-figure gifts.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification or equivalent higher education preferred.
• Demonstrated success pursuing and securing donor contributions, and managing all the complexities of donor relationships.
• Exceptional communication skills, with enthusiasm for writing and verbally communicating the organization’s mission and need for support.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills to track donor plans and meet overlapping deadlines throughout the year.
• Confidence working in collaboration with colleagues, as well as independently.
• Customer-service-oriented and reliable with follow-through.
• Demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, critical thinking, and ability to problem-solve.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment, maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and handle situations with diplomacy.
• Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment where…