Vice President of Development & Communications

About Book Trust

Book Trust is a national early literacy 501(c)3 organization founded over twenty years ago with the mission to engage every child in book choice and ownership, cultivating literacy-rich communities. Their vision is that every child, especially children from underserved communities, has access to books and discovers the joy and power of reading. Book Trust acts as an equity game changer, bridging the opportunity gap in order for students to choose books of interest and become life-long learners. 

Now more than ever, Book Trust home libraries serve as a learning safety net as the nation’s education system copes with school closures and distance learning.  Book Trust partners with Scholastic Book Clubs, School Districts, and Teachers to deliver their program to students and families in 13 states across the country. 

For more information, please visit Book Trust’s website.  Read the 2021 Annual Report here.

The Opportunity

A newly created role to support Book Trust’s future growth, Book Trust seeks a dynamic and innovative leader to serve as its Vice President of Development & Communications (VP). The VP reports to the President & CEO and is a member of the senior leadership team providing strategic communications and philanthropic direction for the organization including shaping the overall messaging and driving the integration and implementation of a fundraising strategy that meets the organization’s revenue and strategic goals. The VP will design the overall communications strategy and plan and will oversee execution of that roadmap. The ideal candidate will have experience developing major giving, annual giving, fundraising events, board management, planned giving programs, and cultivating and sustaining donor and Board relationships.

The Vice President of Development and Communications is a key member of the Book Trust leadership team and responsible for all aspects of Development and Communications strategies for Book Trust. The position leads a Development and Communications staff focused on long-term fundraising and communications success in partnership with district and school partners, program partners, foundations, individual donors, corporations and event attendees.

Long term cultivation of individual and institutional donors, development of a close and trusting relationship with the President & CEO, partnership with VP of Programs and very strong collaboration with Regional and National Board members, will be particularly critical to the overall success of the fundraising effort. The VP will act as a thought partner, coach, and guide to National and Regional Advisory Board members in all aspects of fundraising.

Candidate Profile & Responsibilities

While it is understood that no single candidate will offer every desired attribute and competency, the following is a representative list of the ideal candidate profile and priority tasks and responsibilities.

Expertise in Fundraising

• Serve as strategic partner to the President & CEO, developing and managing a strategy and fundraising plan with clear goals, action plans and budget to maximize each revenue stream supporting the organization, including giving from foundations, corporations, individuals, and events.
• Maintain a broad and deep knowledge of current best practices, rules, policies, guidelines and procedures related to fund development activities, systems, and procedures that are consistent with Book Trust’s mission and values.
• Possess a broad-based knowledge of and experience with various development activities including planned giving, campaigns, major gift programs, event planning and management, direct solicitations, leveraging fundraising databases and support systems for donor segmentation, research and volunteer management.
• Must be able to manage several concurrent fundraising initiatives and have a track record of achieving or exceeding fundraising goals.
• Translate funder/revenue data into strategic financials, culminating in the annual budgeting process.
• Oversee data integrity and funder reporting as reflected in the donor database.

An Inspiring & Collaborative Leader

• Manage and lead Development team members and fundraising consultants in a geographically diverse and remote environment.
• Hire, train, supervise, and engage the communications staff, coaching them toward success in service of fundraising.
• Exhibit both excellent leadership and extraordinary followership skills as well as the ability to build excellent, collaborative and collegial relationships across the organization.
• Supervise, monitor and report on the team’s progress to ensure financial goals are achieved.
• Experience leading and managing teams in the spirit of learning, collaboration, and accountability.
• Experience engaging volunteer leadership and staff in the fundraising process, preferably for a national organization.
• Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone’s efforts for success.

A Strong Relationship Builder

• Build and nurture strong relationships with all Book Trust constituencies, including the Board of Directors and Regional Advisory Boards.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 30 prospects and donors.
• Lead Book Trust Regional Advisory Boards who support the planning and sponsorship of events and Development Committee meetings, participate in and prepare for Book Trust National Board meetings
• In collaboration with the Director of Development, lead school-based Book Trust events with the Program department, such as Book Celebrations and volunteer activities.
• Manage and cultivate relationship with Scholastic Book Clubs on matters related to event implementation.
• Demonstrated success building philanthropic relationships within the corporate, public, and nonprofit sectors.

A Compelling Communicator & Ambassador

• Lead the Communications function as it relates to resource development, as well as the development of all written proposals for funding.
• Develop and oversee compelling messaging, communication, and collateral materials to raise Book Trust’s visibility and reputation within targeted constituencies including the philanthropic community.
• Promote awareness and understanding of Book Trust and secure appropriate funding for ongoing programs and build Book Trust’s visibility, impact and financial resources
• Record of developing effective communications plans and impactful and inspiring communications.
• An effective and open communicator, with high-level oral and writing skills.

Other

• Demonstrates a passion for the organization’s mission.
• Excellent organizational skills and detail-oriented focus.
• A sense of humor and ability to work collaboratively in a remote team environment.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and sustaining collaborative working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to organize workload, maintain several projects of equal priority at once, and sustain productivity and accuracy under pressure.
• This is a fast-paced and constantly changing environment, so the ability to stay nimble and organized, while managing multiple projects and competing priorities is critical.
• Understanding of working with and maintaining confidential information.
• Professional and mature demeanor with strong ethical standards and ability to adapt to change.
• Mobilize development team participation at in-person staff retreats and events.
• Must have ability to travel as needed in order to build relationships to qualify, cultivate, and solicit philanthropic support for Book Trust (approximately 25%).

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Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range:  $125,000 - $135,000
• A collaborative, mission driven remote work environment and the opportunity to make an impact in the education and nonprofit sectors.
• A wide range of benefits, including:
  • Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, 100% paid for by Book Trust for the employee – along with Long-Term Disability
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with employer match
  • Flex Fridays
  • 25 Days of Paid Time Off, 11 Paid Holidays, and a week-long year-end office closure
  • Cell Phone, Technology, and Wellness Benefit Stipends

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Book Trust is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages expressions of interest from people of color, individuals living with disabilities, women and LGBTQ+ leaders.

Contact

Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Cheryl Stevens, Claire Hunt and Liam Gibbs are leading this search. To make recommendations or to express interest in this role please email booktrust_development@koyapartners.com.

All nominations, inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

Koya Partners is committed to providing an accessible search process for all, including individuals living with disabilities. If you need assistance expressing interest online or any aspect of the recruitment process, please email booktrust_development@koyapartners.com.

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About Koya Partners

Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

For more information about Koya Partners, visit www.koyapartners.com.