[Remote] VP, Growth, Strategy, and Donor Relations

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. PolicyLink is a research and action institute focused on advancing a nation that truly governs for all. The Vice President of Growth, Strategy, and Donor Relations will lead the donor experience and orchestrate strategies for a significant capital campaign, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and deepening relationships with key partners.

Responsibilities

• Drive the enterprise-wide engagement strategy to deepen multi-dimensional relationships with institutional, UHNW, and corporate partners
• Orchestrate the strategic roadmap for the $1B, 10-year capital campaign, ensuring organizational readiness for the early 2027 launch
• Co-lead the architecture of campaign infrastructure, including the design of donor recognition levels, gift societies, and long-term stewardship frameworks
• Govern a strategic portfolio of principal relationships, ensuring long-term alignment with the organization’s growth and campaign objectives
• Design high-level campaign readiness initiatives, including regional salons and leadership briefings, to cultivate and secure foundational lead investors
• Conceptualize and oversee signature leadership gatherings that enhance organizational visibility and serve as catalysts for campaign momentum
• Steward complex corporate and philanthropic partnerships, ensuring a rigorous match between investor goals and PolicyLink’s systemic change mission
• Direct large-scale operational ecosystems, managing multi-million dollar budgets, donor stewardship strategy, and cross-departmental integration
• Create sophisticated, high-touch stewardship models for the organization’s most significant funders and campaign champions
• Provide the strategic vision and executive oversight for PolicyLink events, donor experiences, and other external opportunities, positioning them as premier national platforms
• Partner with Communications leadership to oversee the production of high-impact narratives and messaging that resonate with principal-level donors
• Drive data-informed decision-making by collaborating with Development Operations to leverage CRM insights and engagement metrics
• Equip and mobilize internal and external ambassadors, including the Board and Campaign Cabinet, through high-level training and capacity-building
• Oversee the integration of digital storytelling and engagement tools to amplify donor impact and organizational reach
• Lead and mentor a high-performing Engagement & Events team, including staff and senior consultants, fostering a culture of "Love & Accountability."
• Synthesize outreach and engagement strategies across Institutional Partnerships and UHNW teams to ensure a unified enterprise approach
• Serve as a key organizational representative in cross-functional planning related to public affairs, brand positioning, and external relations
• Act as an independent strategic lead, managing one’s own priorities and moving all internal pieces to ensure the successful execution of the campaign vision

Skills

• 12-15 years of experience in nonprofit development and senior leadership, with a proven track record of architecting strategy and driving institutional growth
• Proven success in securing sponsorships and investments at the $5 million+ scale, focusing on long-term partnership development and complex revenue streams
• Strategic leadership of capital campaign readiness and high-net-worth engagement initiatives that move the organization toward transformational funding goals
• Mastery of storytelling and communication, with the ability to translate complex policy and systemic change work into sophisticated, high-level donor narratives
• Demonstrated ability to operate as an enterprise leader, building consensus across departments and effectively engaging Board members and high-profile partners
• Exceptional operational and project governance skills, including the independent management of priorities, budgets, and external counsel
• Unwavering commitment to PolicyLink's mission, ensuring that all strategic initiatives are centered in equity, justice, and systemic change
• Candidates based in San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; or New York, NY are highly preferred as these locations are where many of PolicyLink's current partnerships exist

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) with employer and employer-matching contributions that vest immediately. New employees are eligible to participate within one month of their date of hire.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Group term life insurance plus guaranteed-issue voluntary life insurance.
• Unlimited vacation and sick leave and other generous leave benefits.
• Three required organization reset weeks plus 13 paid holidays.

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