Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Vice President, Development is a senior member of the Advancement leadership team at the Dallas Arboretum. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for both philanthropic development and membership growth/engagement, advancing the Arboretum’s mission and long-term financial sustainability. The VP, Development guides planning, budgeting, execution, and oversight of the comprehensive development and membership portfolio — including annual giving, major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, events and sponsorships, membership acquisition and retention, donor/member stewardship, gifts-in-kind, and capital campaign readiness.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer, Advancement and Senior Leadership teams and the Board to establish and implement a 3- to 5-year strategic plan for philanthropy and membership aligned with the Arboretum’s strategic priorities.
• Lead the development and execution of annual operating and long-term plans with measurable goals for revenue (development + membership), constituent engagement, pipeline growth and retention.
• Provide strategic insight into membership segmentation, upgrades (e.g., from member to donor), donor/member lifecycle management, and integration of membership and major gift strategies.
• Advise senior leadership and Board on trends in philanthropy and membership, benchmarking performance, and emerging opportunities (e.g., planned giving, digital giving, affinity circles).

Fund Development & Membership Revenue Growth

• Prepare and manage departmental budget to achieve annual revenue goals (development + membership), oversee expenses/invoices, monitor financials and reconcile month-end results in partnership with Finance.
  • Oversee all fundraising programs to achieve targets, including:
    Annual Fund and Membership Giving (e.g., Caroline Rose Hunt Society, Friends programs).
  • Major Gifts — Identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-net-worth prospects and major donors/members.
  • Corporate Relations and Event Sponsorships — Secure sponsorships, manage benefits and stewardship.
  • Foundation/Grants — Identify prospects, write and submit proposals, steward foundation relationships.
  • Gifts in Kind — Secure in-­kind donations aligned with institutional needs.
  • Special Events — Plan and lead major fundraising events (e.g., annual gala) with revenue and participation targets; oversee member engagement events.
• Oversee membership team: develop and execute membership acquisition strategy, retention/renewal programs, upgrade path to higher membership levels or donor-circles, analyze membership data/metrics (e.g., number of members, renewal rate, conversion to donors).
• Serve as a visible and effective ambassador for the Arboretum’s mission to members, donors, corporate sponsors, and other key stakeholders; participate in cultivation events, tours, site visits, and stewardship activities.

Team Leadership & Volunteer Engagement

• Lead, supervise, evaluate, and mentor direct reports: development officers, membership staff, events/sponsorships, donor services. Foster a high-performing, donor/member-centric culture.
• Collaborate with volunteer leadership, including Board standing committees and chairs (e.g., Contributed Revenue Committee); support volunteers in their cultivation and solicitation roles.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships across the organization: marketing/communications, horticulture/programs, visitor services, finance and operations to ensure an integrated Advancement function.

Analytics, Stewardship & Operations

• Utilize donor/member database (e.g., Raiser’s Edge or equivalent) to manage major gift and membership pipelines, track metrics (e.g., donor/member retention, average gift/member value, conversion rates), prepare regular reports for senior leadership and Board.
• Ensure best practices in donor/member stewardship and recognition, including timely acknowledgements, reporting, events, and long-term donor/member engagement.
• Ensure compliance with gift acceptance policies, recognizing ethics and legal requirements of fundraising.
• Oversee fundraising and membership events, ensuring membership benefits, event ROI, sponsorship deliverables, and seamless execution.
• Serve as a key liaison to finance and operations to ensure timely invoice/payment processing, budget monitoring, and fiscal responsibility.

Requirements

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential strongly preferred or ability to obtain within the first year of employment.
• At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience leading development/fundraising programs (including major gifts, membership, corporate/foundation fundraising) preferably in a cultural, higher education, botanical garden or nonprofit environment.
• Demonstrated success in recruiting, managing, and motivating a development/membership team and volunteer leaders.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals, including major gifts and membership revenue growth.
• Strong knowledge of philanthropic fundraising best practices, including major gifts, planned giving, foundation/grants, events/sponsorships, and membership programs.
• Excellent public speaking and written communication skills; polished professional presence with members, donors, volunteers, board, and community stakeholders.
• Experience using donor/member database systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) and strong proficiency with MS Office platform.
• Strong strategic, analytical and financial acumen: comfortable setting and tracking goals, using metrics, forecasting revenue, managing budgets and expenses.
• Comfortable working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends for events, donor/member receptions, site tours; ability to drive garden vehicles and personal vehicle on Arboretum business; valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• High energy, self-motivated, and diplomatic with excellent judgment, problem-solving, multitasking ability, and an ability to build positive relationships with donors, members, sponsors, staff and volunteers.
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, community engagement, and building a culture of philanthropy across the institution.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strategic leadership: Able to set clear expectations, hold self and team accountable, drive results.
• Relationship builder: Able to develop and nurture positive relationships with individuals, foundations, corporations, volunteers and members.
• Goal and deadline oriented: Organized, professional work ethic, able to multitask and respond to change.
• Collaborative and inclusive: Works effectively with staff, volunteers, board, stakeholders, and across departments.
• Adaptable and resilient: Able to navigate changing priorities in a dynamic institutional environment.
• Data driven decision maker: Leverages data and metrics to inform strategy and improve performance.
• Stewardship mindset: Ensures donors and members feel valued, engaged, and connected to the institution’s mission and impact. 
   

To help you stay energized, engaged, and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including comprehensive healthcare, a 401K, and Paid Time Off (PTO).

The mission of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is to be a garden for all that enriches lives through beauty, learning, and connection. We are a world-class sanctuary where people and plants flourish in the natural environment. 

The Dallas Arboretum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, genetic characteristics or disability unrelated to job performance.