Description

The Associate Vice President (AVP) of Development is a key member of the New England Aquarium’s development leadership team, responsible for advancing philanthropic support in alignment with the organization’s strategic priorities and mission. Working closely with the President & CEO, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Board of Directors, and senior leadership, the AVP will provide strategic direction, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, and lead a high-performing team to achieve ambitious fundraising goals. This position will oversee a team of directors responsible for frontline fundraising, donor engagement and stewardship, development operations, and membership & annual giving.  
 
This is a full-time regular position offering a comprehensive benefits package. The schedule will be Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with the option for a hybrid schedule, working some days on-site and some days remotely. Remote days are only available for residents of MA, RI, NH, ME, NY and VT. 
 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 
Programmatic Leadership  

• Refine and execute a comprehensive development plan that supports the Aquarium’s strategic vision. This includes annual and multi-year goals that span a range of gift categories and levels.  
• Provide senior-level support to the Board’s Development and Nominating Committees, identifying well-qualified governance candidates and fostering strong volunteer engagement.  
• Collaborate across departments to build and communicate a compelling vision for development, cultivating a culture of shared mission and philanthropic support.  

Team Leadership & Development  

• Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of development professionals, fostering an environment of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.  
• Promote a culture of trust, respect, and shared purpose within the development team and across the organization.  
• Monitor philanthropic trends, data, and emerging technologies to enhance development strategies and operations.  
• Support the planning and execution of large-scale fundraising initiatives, including capital campaigns. 
• Ensure all fundraising activities are aligned with best practices, organizational priorities, and ethical standards. 

Fundraising & Donor Relations  

• Identify, develop, and manage a portfolio of approximately 30-50 prospects with the capacity to give six-figure gifts and above.  
• Identify, prioritize, and pursue funding opportunities that align with the Aquarium’s institutional priorities, collaborating internally to convert these opportunities into secured support.  
• Strengthen donor stewardship efforts to ensure recognition and engagement programs are seamless and impactful. 
• Expand the pipeline of prospective donors with a focus on engaging new generations of supporters and enhancing prospect research capabilities.  

For more information and to apply online please visit: http://neaq.applicantpro.com/jobs/ 
 
The New England Aquarium is committed to an inclusive workplace culture and is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, as defined by the EEOC. Here, we foster a culture of respect and inclusion. We strive to engage and inspire a broad audience with our efforts to protect the blue planet. We believe that an inclusive workforce provides diverse experiences, skills, and perspectives that enrich our programs, strengthen problem-solving, add creativity, and enhance our workplace culture. 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS 
Minimum Training and Experience  

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive fundraising experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership or management role within a complex nonprofit environment.  
• Proven track record in securing six -figure gifts from individual, corporate, and foundation donors.  
• Demonstrated experience supporting board relations, including recruitment, engagement, and governance.  
• Proven experience building a culture of confidence and trust within a development team that extends to donors, volunteers, and external partners.
• Experience with large-scale capital campaign strategy and execution strongly preferred.  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Strong passion for the mission of the New England Aquarium.  
• Knowledge of all major areas of development, including major and planned giving, annual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, and membership programs.  
• Strategic, collaborative leadership.  
• High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to set and achieve ambitious goals.  
• Skilled communicator with clarity and impact.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.