Vice President, Corporate Initiatives

Autism Speaks is seeking a Vice President of Corporate Initiatives, who will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategic expansion plan to fund and advance the bold vision for Autism Speaks – focused on corporate development revenue and mission advancement. The individual in this role will be a dynamic, hyper-collaborative entrepreneurial fundraising leader with proven experience, success and abilities to guide the organization’s revenue expansion and mission impact from corporate relationships. The individual serving in this role will have a strong array of experience and skills as a senior-level strategist, fundraiser, trainer and manager.
Autism Speaks has invested in an operations team that will provide data management and analytics, prospect research, and donor communication / stewardship expertise and support. This fundraising operations team works in close coordination with the VPCI and their team. The Vice President, Corporate Initiatives, will provide the strategic direction required to successfully generate revenue in excess of $14 million annually and lead the entire program toward significant growth.
Individual will work from home but can be located anywhere in the United States, ideally in close proximity to an airport.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The VPCI will lead a team of three direct reports and indirectly manage corporate leads embedded in key markets reporting into the “Community Engagement Team,” with potential to add team members in critical positions. The VPCI is a member of Autism Speaks’ leadership team, working closely with the CGO, other executives, the board of directors and volunteer leadership to carry out a strategic fundraising plan engaging business leaders and organizations across North America and throughout the AS organization.

• Design, develop, and implement a comprehensive strategy to innovate and expand giving for all areas of corporate development and implement a corporate partnership platform approach to foster multi-faceted and robust corporate funder relationships. This is including but not limited to: fundraising corporate relationships such as cause-related marketing and point-of sale, workplace giving, employee engagement campaigns, mission priority participation and underwriting; and shared-value relationships.
• Leverage corporate relationships to expand the mission impact of Autism Speaks by working cross-functionally with other teams such as advocacy, science, public health, services and supports and “feet on the street” field staff to create and implement meaningful initiatives.

• Create the framework and support processes to activate Community Engagement corporate staff to drive pipeline development for cross-regional and national partnerships.
• Utilize the development operations team to leverage data analytics, donor communications, stewardship, and prospect research to support the fundraising growth plan.
• Lead the development and implementation of AS’ sales process and sponsorship architecture.
• Serve as a role model for expectations related to developing, maintaining and growing the ideal corporate relationships for the organization.
• Provide strategic counsel and actively manage a core portfolio of top corporate relationships held by the CEO and CGO.
• Work across the organization to help build pipeline/ portfolio and maximize corporate participation, support and relationships.
• Recruit, motivate, organize, manage, train, retain and lead the Corporate Initiatives staff in a manner which promotes professional development and career enhancement while meeting and exceeding revenue and institutional goals.
• Work with CGO, CEO and leadership to identify future board members, as well as build capacity and infrastructure to support corporate relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Contribute to successful implementation of strategic plan.
• Manage revenue / expense budget and financial reporting for all department activities.

(The responsibilities listed above are representative and not all inclusive. Other duties may be assigned by supervisor/s. As outlined in your performance goal setting forms, you will be responsible for achieving the goals provided by and agreed upon with your manager.)
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Education / Experience

• BA degree, Advanced degree and/or CFRE certification a plus
• 15+ years of corporate development experience
• 10+ years of experience in a fundraising management/leadership role

Specialized Skills and Knowledge:

• Proven track record in leading successful growth expansions in corporate development
• Strong skills and abilities to recruit and hire talented, energetic fundraising team leads
• Understanding of relationship building and strategic solicitation
• Understanding of special events as relationship development platforms
• Strong background in directing an innovative fund development within a complex and rapidly changing environment
• Experience in building programs tied to mission priorities and securing funding for them, not just leading thriving ones
• Extensive experience working with c-suite executives, volunteer boards and other high-level staff and volunteer leadership
• A keen eye for operational efficiency and optimal use of resources
• Successful track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and results
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to influence and inspire, with an understanding and respect for Autism Speaks culture
• Ability to collaborate, coordinate, and work effectively with the organization’s senior volunteer and staff leaders across North America
• Experience building, leading and mentoring teams
• Understanding of working in a field based, non-profit corporate structure
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends, and ability to travel in/out of New Jersey and throughout the US and Canada
• Self-starter who takes initiative and is pro-active in identifying opportunities
• Ability to work with all levels of management
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and customer relations skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously ;troubleshooting and problem-solving capability; detail-oriented
• Superior oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to identify and develop resources to maximize efficiency
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Building Collaborative Relationships
• Professional Behavior
• Results Driven
• Customer Orientation
• Flexibility

You are responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all Autism Speaks data and information to which you have access.
You are responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all Autism Speaks data and information to which you have access.
Autism Speaks is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive workplace. We recruit, evaluate, employ, and promote candidates without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender identity or expression, protected veteran or military status, disability or other legally protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for job openings. Reasonable accommodations will be provided. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
About Autism Speaks:
At Autism Speaks, our mission is to promote solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Together with our broad and diverse community, we strive every day to achieve our vision of a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential. This mission and vision drive every member of our staff; our employees are inspired, energized and motivated by the impact we can collectively have on behalf of the autism community.
Autism Speaks celebrates every success achieved to create a kinder, more inclusive world for people with autism, and we work collaboratively across departments to find solutions that will do the most good for the most people.
Just as we strive to enhance lives today and accelerate a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow for people on the spectrum, we also aim to enhance the lives of our dedicated employees, through thick and thin.
Salary & Benefits:
Autism Speaks offers a competitive compensation, benefit and vacation package. We also provide flex work hours, weekly training sessions, tuition reimbursement and summer bonus Fridays in addition to a creative, innovative, collaborative, inclusive, kind and fun work environment.
Salary range is $180k-$185k, depending on candidate's relevant years of experience.
Autism Speaks is an employer that participates in E-Verify

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