Bioneers || Collective Heritage Institute is seeking a VP of Advancement to join our team. This is a primarily outward-facing role focused on growing, advancing, and evolving Bioneers programs, mission, impacts and influence. It requires a strong familiarity, knowledge base and previous engagement with the topics, issues, communities, and cultures that Bioneers encompasses.
It further requires strong communications and media skills, and high multicultural sensibilities related to experience with diverse environmental and social movements. We are seeking a colleague who is a talented and experienced public speaker, writer, and cultural observer. Preferably, the person may also have meaningful experience in media production and distribution, and event design.
This person will operate within a strongly team-based environment in a mature organization, working as part of the Executive Team and with the co-founders. The person may directly participate creatively and functionally in other programs beyond Communications & Public Education.
This person will also be responsible for the strategic oversight and management of Bioneers’ development team and its outward-facing communications, initiatives, and collaborations. A proven track record of successful fundraising in comparable spaces is preferred.
The VP of Advancement will become a key spokesperson for the organization and will actively maintain, cultivate, and build upon relationships with stakeholders, which includes donors, clients, staff, community partners, strategic partners, government, and business organizations.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Experience in a senior leadership role with a non-profit or public service organization.
- A proven track record of successful fundraising in comparable spaces is required.
- Excellent public speaking and writing skills.
- High multicultural sensibilities related to a background with diverse environmental and social movements.
- Talented and experienced public speaker, writer, and cultural observer.
- Preferably, the candidate has meaningful experience in media production and distribution.
- General operational experience.
This is a full-time exempt position with the ability to work remotely. The annual salary range for this position is $115k-$135k. Salary is commensurate with experience. All eligible employees receive comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage, retirement matching and a generous paid time off policy.
Essential Functions
Program Planning and Support
- Collaborate with the Senior Director of Programs and Research with planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization’s programs and services, in consultation with the CEO and CRO.
- Collaborate with Senior Director of Programs and Research and Program Directors to ensure the day-to-day delivery of the programs and services of the organization to maintain or improve quality.
- Participate in marketing strategy and execution in a manner which supports growth and enhances brand awareness.
- Participate in the production of media and advancing distribution channels.
- Oversee the planning, implementation, execution, and evaluation of special projects when applicable.
- Participate in the programming for the annual conference.
Fundraising and Development Department Management
- Participates in the design and implementation of a strategic development and fundraising strategy that advances the mission and resources of the organization.
- Oversees and helps manage the Development Department in setting annual fundraising goals, managing fundraising annual calendar, content development; oversee development-related conference production and tasks; production and delivery of grant proposals and reports; foundation relations; program priorities; and fundraising campaigns.
- Continually seek new opportunities for revenue and donor cultivation.
- Serve as a key representative of the organization in the community, serving as an ambassador for the mission, liaison with donors, and communicator of our core messages and programs.
- Research funding sources, and at times review or help prepare grant proposals and reports.
Community Relations and Advocacy
- Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of Bioneers.
- In consultation with the Leadership, establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, strategic partners, and other organizations to help achieve the programmatic goals of Bioneers.
Leadership
- Help envision and assess programs, program strategy, program design and funding strategies.
- Serve as a conversation partner who can talk through ideas, concepts, and dooropening in support of program staff.
- Act as a spokesperson for Bioneers, including crafting independent writing and or media or speeches.
- Represent Bioneers at conferences, professional events, and community activities to enhance the organization’s visibility, publicity and community presence.
- Responsible for leading in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission and priorities forward.
Management in Partnership with the Executive Team
- Participate in the Identification and evaluation of opportunities and risks to the organization including: finances, goodwill, brand, and implement measures to avert, minimize and address risks.
- Work with the Executive Team to prepare a comprehensive annual budget.
- Develop an operational strategy for the Development Department that encompasses programmatic and organizational goals and incorporates the organizational objectives that supports the strategic direction and mission of Bioneers.
- As a member of the Executive Team, collaborate on financial planning and cash-flow when needed.
Experience and Qualification Requirements:
- 5-10 years of experience in a senior leadership role with a non-profit or public service organization.
- 5-10 years of experience in fundraising and donor stewardship.
- 5-7 years of general operational experience.
- 5-7 years of experience in communications with media production a plus.
- Team player and true collaborator given our management structure with excellent people skills while understanding the dynamics of a founder led organization.
- Strong communications, development and program management skills. Breadth of understanding of the fields.
- Flexible and able to multitask; can work within a fast-moving environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems.
- Possess personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the organization and its mission.
- Experience with grassroots social movements.
- Strong public speaking skills.
- Strong writing skills.
- Familiarity with producing large scale events.
- Experience with planning donor events.
- Editorial experience.
- Knowledge of HR practices with good managerial skills.
- Ability to travel.
Reporting:
This position reports to the Bioneers Executive Management Team, Co-Founder/CEO and CRO.
Working Conditions:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The VP of Advancement works a standard work week, but may work evenings, weekends, and overtime hours to accommodate activities such as representing the organization at public events. This position may require regular travel, both domestic and international and will require travel between San Francisco, CA and Santa Fe, NM where the two core staff locations are based.
This is a full-time exempt position with the ability to work remotely.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
About Us:
Founded in 1990, Bioneers acts as a fertile hub of social and scientific innovators with practical and visionary solutions for the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. Bioneers connects people with solutions and each other to create a revolution from the heart of nature.
Bioneers illuminates the leading edges of transformational change and “the greatest people you’ve never heard of.” Our acclaimed national and local conferences are complemented by media outreach, including our award-winning radio and podcast series, The Bioneers: Revolution From the Heart of Nature. We provide a platform for communities of color, indigenous peoples and women leaders whose voices may seldom be heard elsewhere. For over 30 years, the Bioneers conference has been a perennial wellspring of cutting-edge content and dynamic, diverse voices that supply the primary source for our public education and media outreach, a focal point to build community and collaboration.
As a community of leadership, Bioneers acts as a media amplifier for many respected leaders, a hatchery for young and emerging leaders, and a connection point for engaged citizens dedicated to making a difference. As an interdisciplinary network of networks, we span the arc of the human endeavor to reconcile the interdependence of human and natural systems. Learn more at https://www.bioneers.org.
Application Process:
Interested applicants should send a cover letter and an updated CV / resume to be considered. Please send applications as PDFs or Word attachments. Please include your last name and the position title in the subject line, and send applications to: Chief Administrative Officer, at careers@bioneers.org.
NO AGENCIES or CONSULTANTS or THIRD-PARTY SERVICES or INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS. No phone calls or email to the office or principals please.
Thank you for your time and consideration! We look forward to hearing from you. Bioneers // Collective Heritage Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
A diverse, culturally sensitive staff is a singular strength of any organization. Bioneers strives to create a vibrant workplace comprised of people from many backgrounds and with a variety of life experiences. Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
