Vice President of Development

About the Position

The Vice President of Development is a strategic leader, major-gift fundraiser, coach, and relationship builder who partners closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, and executive leadership team to shape the future of philanthropy at The Neurodiversity Alliance.

The Vice President will lead the organization’s multi-year fundraising strategy; guide and coach the CEO and Board in major-gift fundraising; and build a strong individual-giving program spanning annual, major, transformational, and planned gifts. This leader will personally manage a portfolio of high-capacity individual donors and prospects while ensuring that the CEO and Board are well prepared for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

The Vice President will build upon the expertise, relationships, systems, and institutional knowledge of the existing development team. The role will provide strategic guidance and executive-level support while preserving clear functional ownership across the department. In particular, the Vice President will partner with the Director of Development & Donor Relations.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, Jesse Sanchez, and working closely with Executive in Residence, Maya Enista Smith, this full-time, FLSA exempt position is expected to work an average of 40 hours per week remotely from anywhere within the contiguous United States, though preference is given to those located in the Tri-State Area. The typical workweek is Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm ET or 8am to 4pm PT, with occasional overnight travel and limited evening and weekend hours required.

Responsibilities

Shape the Future of Philanthropy

• Develop and lead a bold, multi-year fundraising strategy that fuels The Neurodiversity Alliance's next chapter of growth and national impact.
• Partner closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, and leadership team to inspire transformational philanthropy and build enduring relationships with visionary supporters.
• Identify new opportunities to expand and diversify revenue, ensuring long-term sustainability while remaining responsive to a rapidly evolving philanthropic landscape.
• Establish ambitious fundraising goals and leverage data, insight, and relationship management to measure progress, inform strategy, and celebrate success.
• Serve as a trusted strategic thought partner on organizational priorities, innovation, and opportunities to elevate The Neurodiversity Alliance's influence across philanthropy and beyond.

Guide the CEO and Board as Fundraising Leaders

• Serve as the CEO’s primary fundraising adviser and coach, helping the CEO grow as the organization’s chief fundraiser and external ambassador. 
• Prepare the CEO for donor meetings and solicitations by developing relationship strategies, meeting objectives, briefing materials, talking points, ask amounts, and next steps. 
• Debrief major donor meetings with the CEO, assign follow-up, and ensure that each relationship continues moving through a thoughtful cultivation and solicitation plan. 
• Partner with the Board to identify prospects, open doors, deepen relationships, and participate effectively in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. 
• Provide the CEO and Board with the coaching, tools, accountability, and confidence needed to advance major and transformational gifts.

Advance Institutional and Corporate Revenue Through Partnership

• Set the organization’s overarching institutional and corporate fundraising direction in partnership with the Director of Development & Donor Relations and executive leadership. 
• Support the Director’s role as the primary relationship manager for the organization’s foundation portfolio and assigned corporate sponsors and philanthropic partners, preserving continuity and established trust with funders. 
• Provide strategic guidance on major institutional opportunities and participate in high-level cultivation or solicitation meetings when executive involvement will strengthen the opportunity. 
• Partner with the Director and cross-functional leaders to align foundation and corporate opportunities with programmatic priorities, budgets, outcomes, and organizational capacity. 
• Ensure strong proposal, reporting, renewal, and stewardship practices while empowering the Director to lead the day-to-day institutional pipeline and relationships. 
• Establish clear ownership with the Vice President of Strategic Growth & Partnerships so corporate philanthropic relationships, sponsorships, programmatic partnerships, and nonfinancial collaborations are coordinated and each partner has one designated relationship lead.

Build a Community of Champions

• Design and lead an integrated individual giving strategy that inspires lifelong engagement across annual, mid-level, major, and planned giving.
• Personally cultivate and steward a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospective partners, creating meaningful opportunities for investment in the future of neurodivergent young people.
• Partner with the Chief Executive Officer and Board to deepen relationships with transformational philanthropists and guide thoughtful cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Create exceptional donor experiences that make every supporter feel connected to the mission, the movement, and the impact of their investment.
• Collaborate with the communications team to tell compelling stories that celebrate the voices, leadership, and achievements of neurodivergent young people while inviting others to become part of the journey.

Expand Institutional and Strategic Partnerships

• Grow a robust portfolio of foundation, corporate, and institutional partners who share our commitment to creating a more inclusive future.
• Work with the Vice President of Strategic Growth & Partnerships to develop partnerships that extend beyond financial support to include thought leadership, employee engagement, strategic collaboration, and shared visibility.
• Work closely with program, finance, and operations leaders to align funding opportunities with organizational priorities and emerging initiatives.
• Guide proposal development, grant strategy, reporting, and stewardship with excellence, ensuring funders experience The Neurodiversity Alliance as a trusted and collaborative partner.
• Identify and pursue innovative partnerships that position the organization at the center of the growing national conversation around neurodiversity.

Lead and Inspire a High-Performing Team

• Foster a collaborative, joyful, and high-performing development culture grounded in curiosity, accountability, continuous learning, and shared success.
• Coach, mentor, and develop staff, contractors, and emerging professionals, helping each team member grow as a fundraising leader.
• Create clear priorities, systems, and performance goals that enable the team to execute with confidence while remaining adaptable and innovative.
• Champion strong cross-functional partnerships with communications, programs, operations, and finance to create an integrated culture of philanthropy across the organization.

Elevate Experiences that Inspire Action

• Provide strategic leadership for fundraising events, campaigns, and donor engagement opportunities that strengthen relationships and advance organizational goals.
• Ensure every engagement opportunity reflects the organization's values and invites supporters into a deeper partnership with the movement.
• Establish goals and executive strategy for organization-wide campaigns while ensuring that execution responsibilities, timelines, and staffing are clearly assigned.
• Serve as an enthusiastic ambassador for The Neurodiversity Alliance through donor meetings, speaking engagements, and community events.

Strengthen the Foundation for Growth

• Build and maintain the systems, processes, and infrastructure that enable a modern, relationship-centered fundraising program.
• Oversee Salesforce and development operations to ensure accurate reporting, strong donor stewardship, and informed decision-making.
• Partner with the Operations team to ensure sound financial management, gift processing, compliance, and fundraising best practices.
• Continuously improve fundraising systems and workflows to support organizational growth and deliver an outstanding experience for donors and staff alike.

Role-Specific Qualifications

• A deep belief in the mission of The Neurodiversity Alliance and a commitment to advancing belonging, opportunity, and leadership alongside neurodivergent young people.
• A passion for building authentic relationships and inspiring others to invest in transformational change.
• A strategic mindset balanced with a willingness to roll up their sleeves and help build what's next.
• Experience leading ambitious fundraising strategies that generate significant philanthropic growth, including securing six-figure and larger gifts.
• At least eight years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, with increasing responsibility across individual giving, institutional philanthropy, and strategic partnerships.
• At least three years of experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams.
• Exceptional communication, storytelling, and relationship-building skills with donors, foundations, corporate partners, board members, and community leaders.
• A collaborative leadership style that builds upon existing staff expertise, delegates clearly, and creates opportunities for others to grow as fundraising leaders.
• Comfort using data and technology (including Salesforce or similar CRM platforms as well as AI) to inform strategy, strengthen donor relationships, and measure success.
• The ability to thrive in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment where collaboration, adaptability, optimism, and innovation are valued every day.