Vice President of Development

Overview

POSITION TITLE: Vice President of Development

POSITION LOCATION: Peoria Service Center, 507

E. Armstrong Ave, Peoria, IL 61603

POSITION STATUS: Full-Time

Lead philanthropy that changes lives across Central Illinois.

Easterseals Central Illinois is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Vice President of Development to lead and advance our philanthropic vision. This role reports directly to the President and CEO and plays a critical role in shaping our mission s future through transformational fundraising, donor engagement, and organizational leadership.

Founded in 1919, Easterseals Central Illinois has served our community for more than a century, building a strong legacy of impact, trust, and innovation. Today, we are a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and families across Central Illinois through high-quality, mission-driven services. The Vice President of Development plays a critical role in advancing our legacy by leading strategic fundraising efforts that sustain and expand the programs and services that make meaningful, lasting impact for the individuals and families we serve.

At Easterseals Central Illinois, philanthropy directly fuels impact.

We invite you to watch the video below to see how donor support translates into meaningful outcomes for the individuals and families who rely on our services every day, and how strategic development leadership enables that impact.

We are seeking a strategic, collaborative development leader who balances vision, operational excellence, and relationship-building expertise. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Proven success leading comprehensive fundraising strategies, including annual campaigns, donor stewardship, and special events
• Ability to build and sustain meaningful relationships with individual, corporate, and community partners
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams
• Strong strategic planning and financial acumen, including budget oversight and performance metrics
• A leadership style that fosters collaboration, accountability, and a strong culture of philanthropy

Compensation for this position falls within the range of $100,000 - $115,000 annually. The final offer will consider several individualized factors, including relevant experience, qualifications and credentials, talent availability and specialization, and organizational needs. This range is subject to change in the future.

Compensation is just one component of the total rewards package offered for this role. Easterseals Central Illinois offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our team members:

• Paid Time Off
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), including vacation time, sick time, personal time, paid holidays, and paid holiday breaks
• Health and Insurance
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with multiple plan options
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent Care expenses
  • Employer-Paid Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Voluntary Life and AD&D Coverage options
  • Supplemental Coverage Options:
    Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Plans
• Retirement Planning
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Professional Development
  • Annual Professional Development & CEU Allowance
  • Easterseals qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

All benefits are subject to eligibility, terms, and plan guidelines.

Position Objective: The Vice President of Development is responsible for leading philanthropic programs and initiatives at Easterseals Central Illinois. The Vice President of Development is responsible for developing and cultivating long-term, meaningful relationships with new and existing donors. The Vice President of Development is responsible for day-to-day operations, including supervising staff and preparing and managing the departmental budget. The Vice President of Development oversees Easterseals Development and Donor Services.

Job Functions:

• Provides cohesive leadership and direction to the President & CEO and development team in the effective execution of a substantive, actionable, and measurable strategic development plan that spans across the Central Illinois community.
• Stewards a culture of philanthropy at all levels of the organization, including staff, leadership, and volunteers.
• Lead and manage the implementation of strategies designed to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts from prospective and current donors.
• Provides leadership and guidance for operational strategy, management, and processes, including timelines, objectives, and metrics.
• Conceptualizes, coordinates, and executes the annual campaign, including a year-round stewardship strategy for annual campaign donors and volunteers.
• Manages the planning and execution of special events, in coordination with the event planner, as a strategic opportunity to acquire, cultivate, and engage individual and institutional donors.
• Ensures clear collaboration…