Vice President of Development

Raleigh Rescue Mission

Raleigh, North Carolina |

Wake County

The Opportunity

Raleigh Rescue Mission, a non-profit organization located in Raleigh, North Carolina, is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven, and experienced leader with a proven track record to serve as its next Vice President of Development. The organization is at an important turning point and is well-positioned for growth. This presents an exciting opportunity for a seasoned professional to lead fundraising efforts that will support Raleigh Rescue Mission’s expansion in response to rising homelessness and housing insecurity in the Triangle area. The VP of Development will be passionate about the cause, team-oriented, and will collaborate with the CEO to establish a strategic direction for fundraising while executing and expanding the organization’s fundraising and outreach initiatives. These initiatives encompass major gifts, corporate and government grants, special events, and annual fundraising campaigns. The organization is also nearing the conclusion of a significant capital campaign and is looking for a VP who will assume a leadership role in the next phase. Additionally, the VP will oversee the organization’s strategic marketing and communications efforts to enhance public awareness and leverage volunteer support. The VP will lead a committed team of two direct reports and be ready to hire new members of the team to support the Development department.

The Organization

The Raleigh Rescue Mission is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to serving individuals experiencing homelessness in our community through the love of Christ. The Raleigh Rescue Mission views every role as a form of Christian ministry and considers each person a vital and valued member of the team. Therefore, it is crucial that all Raleigh Rescue Mission team members maintain a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and adhere to its Statement of Faith. Every team member must believe in and embrace the Core Values of compassion, prayer, collaboration, excellence, and development. By doing so, our entire team is expected to be humble, willing to learn new methods, and prepared to assist in any area of the Mission as needed.

The fundamental belief of Raleigh Rescue Mission is appreciated through our vision of realizing transformed lives and a transformed community through Christ. We do this holding to five core values:

Compassion: We embrace individuals with grace and compassion
Prayer: We pray expectantly because it changes things
Collaboration: We adapt and work together for greater achievements
Excellence: We refuse to accept the status quo and actively strive for excellence
Development: We strive to develop each other to fully live out our God-given purpose

Raleigh Rescue Mission has positively impacted our community for 64 years by providing hope and assistance to homeless and hurting individuals. Over 750,000 men, women, and children have walked through our doors, found shelter within our walls, and experienced the love of Christ in action. From a simple prayer in the lobby to guiding individuals or families through the New Life Plan (below) and ultimately into their own homes, the Mission transforms lives.

The City of Raleigh has experienced significant growth in recent years, bringing prosperity to many of its residents but not to everyone. Along with this progress, there are individuals facing homelessness due to trauma, domestic violence, family tragedy, job loss, addiction, or health issues, just to name a few. These are the individuals that Raleigh Rescue Mission serves.

Raleigh Rescue Mission has a long-term purpose. Its steadfast strategy is to break the cycle of poverty and empower people to rebuild their lives. It is here for those who need a second chance.

Raleigh Rescue Mission is led by an active and engaged Board of Directors comprised of dedicated community volunteers passionate about ending homelessness. You can learn more about Raleigh Rescue Mission at their website: https://www.raleighrescue.org/

Volunteers and Donors

A community of volunteers and donors helps make the feeling of home a reality for our clients. From church and corporate groups to book clubs, our volunteers make a difference in keeping our programs thriving alongside our dedicated staff.

Raleigh Rescue Mission can’t do it alone. They rely on volunteers and donors to help change lives. In 2024, through the support of volunteers and donors, 271 men, women, and children got the opportunity to get a fresh start through the New Life Plan.

The Position

As a member of the Raleigh Rescue Mission leadership team and in partnership with the CEO, the VP of Development will be responsible for planning and carrying out the organization’s resource development strategies, leading donor engagement, conducting donor research, facilitating stewardship, and assisting with board development and engagement. Leading the development and fundraising program to gather the resources required to deliver a successful client experience will be paramount to the success of the VP. This is a dynamic role that collaborates with the board, vendors, partners, team, and current and future donors to create and implement an annual development plan. The VP plays a key role in ensuring Raleigh Rescue Mission has the annual operational revenue to run its men’s, women’s, and children’s programming. The VP will track and communicate outcomes and progress regularly to the team and board.

The VP of Development should be able to switch between high-level strategic planning and following through on the details and task orientation of the seasonal campaigns. The ideal individual will build rapport with foundations, corporations, and individual donors and investors who align with our vision and values and will strategically work to broaden the community connected to our organization.

The VP will supervise a team of two full-time staff and will be instrumental in building out new positions to grow the program and engage the team in meaningful development opportunities to foster growth. This is an on-site position with the ability to work one weekend a month and three holidays yearly.

Required Attributes, Skills, and Qualifications

The VP of Development must share a passion for ending homelessness and a commitment to the mission and the diverse clients they serve. In addition, they should possess a variety of attributes, including the following list:

Education and Experience

Minimum 4-year college degree required. Degree in a related field (Marketing, Business, Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, etc.)
5+ years previous major donor development/marketing/communications/sales experience required with increasing levels of responsibility required. Equivalent sales/marketing/communications experience may be considered in lieu of donor development experience.
Demonstrated success in creating and implementing fundraising strategies that utilize contemporary digital tools and platforms.
Proficient with Microsoft Office.
Valid NC driver’s license and the willingness to drive a company vehicle and transport clients, donors, employees, and vendors as needed.

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
A typical shift will require sitting, standing, walking, and utilizing a laptop, sometimes for an extended period of time.
Ability to use hands to lift, guide, and assist clients/children with assignments and life skills.
Ability to maneuver around furniture/closets and kneel, squat, stoop, or bend at the waist.
Ability to drive clients/children to appointments and offsite events.

Work Conditions

Work onsite, indoors, outdoors and potentially in inclement weather.
This environment requires an individual to be prepared to assist with potentially adverse conditions that may arise in a residential setting. (Examples: flooding due to plumbing failure, outbreak of illness.)
The environment may have a high noise level.
The typical work week will be Monday through Friday, working an expected 45+ hours/week.
Work one weekend every 4 weeks and 3 holidays a year.
Ability to accommodate early-morning or after-hours meetings due to collaboration across various staff and donor schedules.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

A growth-oriented individual with the skills and drive to grow the annual campaign in the future.
Experience supporting board activities related to the development function
At least three years’ significant supervisory experience, including crafting and managing budgets andsuccessfullyleading a team to achieve short- and long-term objectives
Demonstrated success in securing major gifts, including cultivation through solicitation and stewardship, andexperience in annualgiving strategies
A thoughtful and innovative leader skilled in integrating modern advancement-related functions such as relationship-driven fundraising strategies
Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
Respectful and insightful consensus-building
Demonstrated ability to extract, analyze, and present data to support quality decision-making.

Schedule and Location

Full-time, salaried position expected 45+ hours per week
Hours are 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday
One weekend per month and three holidays per year will be required.
Raleigh Rescue Mission is located in downtown Raleigh at 314 E. Hargett Street.
ADA-compliant office setting
Regular local travel is required; one must have a clean driving record and the ability to drive personal and agency vehicles for work-related activities.
In-person position.

Compensation

Raleigh Rescue Mission is committed to attracting an extraordinary leader for this position through a compensation package that includes acompetitive salary in the range of $135,000-plus and agenerous employee benefits package that includes health benefits, paid time off, paid holidays, and a 401(k)-retirement plan. RRM offers a hybrid work environment, providing an improved work-life balance for employees.

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume by April 11, 2025, by applying HERE. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.