VP of Development

About the role

Catalyst CT is seeking a dynamic and visionary Vice President of Development to lead the organization's fundraising strategy and external engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement Catalyst CT’s overall fundraising strategy, driving sustainable revenue growth across annual giving, major gifts, planned and legacy giving, corporate sponsorships, and institutional funding.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure major gifts and philanthropic investments, including personally managing a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects.
• Partner closely with the President & CEO to drive top-tier donor engagement, solicitations, and stewardship.
• Guide and activate the Board of Directors in fundraising strategy, engagement, and relationship development.
• Represent Catalyst CT at senior and executive leadership tables, helping shape strategy and address systemic barriers affecting the communities served.
• Leverage data, analytics, audience insights, and engagement metrics to evaluate effectiveness, refine strategies, and strengthen organizational brand reach and engagement.
• Lead and manage a motivated development and marketing communications team, including the Director of Development, Marketing Communications Manager, and Marketing Communications & Operations Coordinator.
• Oversee donor-centered marketing communications strategies aligned with and in service of fundraising goals.
• Develop and implement an organizational donor development strategy.
• Manage a donor portfolio and support a major gifts pipeline.
• Translate impact into persuasive, mission-driven messaging.
• Elevate participant voice and strengthen Catalyst CT’s reputation as a trusted community leader and advocate.
• Expand Catalyst CT’s visibility, influence, and reach through strategic partnerships, media opportunities, public engagement, speaking opportunities, and thought leadership initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in major gifts, annual giving, donor communications, stewardship, and/or development operations, as well as experience in brand and marketing communications leadership.
• Demonstrated success managing multi-channel donor communications and appeals.
• Demonstrated success creating and implementing an organizational donor development strategy.
• Experience managing a donor portfolio and supporting a major gifts pipeline.
• Bachelor’s degree required (or equivalent professional experience).
• CFRE certification preferred or demonstrated intent to pursue CFRE.
• Proficiency with donor CRM systems (Neon, Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, or similar).
• Ability to use data and metrics to inform strategy and improve donor engagement.