Vice President, Capital Campaigns & Special Campaigns

The Vice President, Capital & Special Campaigns leads the strategy, planning, and execution of Blue Star Families' capital campaign and other major, time-bound fundraising initiatives. Reporting to the Chief Revenue Officer, this role partners closely with the President, CEO, and Board leadership to build the case for support, structure campaign phases, and drive campaigns from the quiet phase through public phase and close-out.

Responsibilities

Design and lead the strategic framework for the capital campaign and other major campaigns; Build gift-range charts, campaign timelines, and phase plans (quiet phase, leadership phase, public phase); Set and report a campaign goal, annual progress targets and a quiet-phase leadership-gift target; Establish a written campaign counting policy agreed with Finance; Partner with the Chief Revenue Officer to translate campaign strategy into resourced execution plans; Manage moves-management activity for campaign prospects with Major Gifts and Development leadership; Track pledges, gift agreements, and campaign progress; maintain campaign reporting and dashboards; Coordinate campaign counsel, consultants, and volunteer leadership; Personally cultivate and close select leadership-level campaign gifts; Lead campaign strategy for seven-figure and transformational corporate, foundation and individual commitments; Identify, scope, and lead other significant fundraising campaigns such as matching-gift challenges, emergency/rapid-response appeals, and signature anniversary or naming campaigns; Build a rapid-response appeal playbook with Direct Marketing, Finance and Marketing; Integrate planned giving, endowment, donor-advised fund and appreciated-stock options into campaign gift opportunities; Develop campaign-specific messaging, timelines, and stewardship plans; Evaluate campaign results and apply lessons learned; Cultivate and staff campaign leadership, including the Capital Campaign Advisory Council and honorary co-chairs; Prepare briefing materials and solicitation strategies for the President, CEO, Chief Revenue Officer, and Board members; Support leadership through executive transitions; Represent Blue Star Families in campaign-related donor meetings and events; Ensure campaign gift accounting, pledge tracking, and restricted-fund coordination align with Finance and Development Operations standards; Provide regular campaign progress reports to the Chief Development Officer, President, CEO, and Board Development Committee; Ensure campaign practices align with gift acceptance policies and ethical fundraising standards; Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

8+ years of progressive nonprofit development experience, including direct experience with capital or comprehensive campaigns; Demonstrated experience leading or playing a senior role in a capital campaign of $10M+, from feasibility through close-out; Personal track record of securing $1M+ commitments, including from corporations and foundations as well as individuals; A proven track record of meeting or exceeding ambitious campaign goals, with specific, measurable wins; An athlete's mindset: high energy, competitive drive, resilience after setbacks, and a hunger to keep improving; Comfort operating with a high degree of autonomy and accountability, and the ability to give and receive candid feedback, including with senior executives and Board members; Strong understanding of campaign mechanics: gift-range charts, pipeline staging, pledge accounting, and campaign reporting; Working knowledge of planned giving vehicles, donor-advised funds, appreciated stock and endowment gifts; Experience developing case-for-support materials and campaign collateral in partnership with Marketing/Communications; Experience engaging and staffing volunteer leadership and campaign committees; Demonstrated success working with CRM systems (preferably Salesforce) and campaign tracking tools; Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills; Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex campaign strategy into clear materials for executives and Board members; Ability to travel overnight several times per year for donor meetings and organizational gatherings; May be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary

Nice to have

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, or a related field; advanced degree a plus; CFRE, ACFRE, or equivalent professional credential; Experience with matching-gift, challenge, or rapid-response fundraising campaigns; Experience leading campaigns in a remote or distributed national organization, or through executive leadership transitions; Familiarity with the military and Veteran-connected community; Experience with corporate partnership structures that combine philanthropy, sponsorship and employee engagement; Experience partnering with campaign counsel or outside consultants; Experience in a high-growth, performance-driven culture (nonprofit or private sector)

Benefits

Mission-driven work supporting military service members and their families; Flexible work options (remote, or hybrid depending on the role); Competitive salary; Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) retirement plan with employer match; Flexible Spending Accounts, life insurance, and disability insurance; Communications allowance; Professional development and career growth opportunities; PCS leave for Active Duty military spouses