The posting
Position: Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Development
FLSA: Exempt
Location: Remote within California
Description of Job:
The Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Development will partner directly with the President & CEO to strengthen and execute CCSA's philanthropic strategy while helping build the systems, partnerships, and organizational discipline necessary to support long-term fundraising success. This individual will serve as the organization's primary strategist and project manager for philanthropy, working across CCSA and CCSA Advocates to develop major donor and foundation strategies, build and manage the prospect pipeline, prepare compelling proposals and donor materials, coordinate fundraising activity across teams, and ensure disciplined execution and follow-through.
Overview of Responsibilities
The Vice President will lead CCSA's philanthropic strategy and day-to-day fundraising operations in close partnership with the President & CEO. Primary responsibilities include developing and managing the prospect pipeline, supporting major donor and foundation fundraising, preparing proposals and donor communications, strengthening fundraising systems and operating rhythms, coordinating fundraising activity across the organization, and ensuring consistent execution and accountability.
The role will also help refine CCSA's fundraising priorities, translate strategic initiatives into donor-ready investment opportunities, and support the President & CEO in cultivating and stewarding the organization's highest-value donor relationships.
Essential Duties
- Fundraising Strategy & Executive Partnership Partner closely with the CEO, CFO, and CCSA Advocates Executive Director to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies. Prepare for major donor and foundation meetings through research, briefing materials, meeting strategy, and tailored donor communications. Identify donor cultivation opportunities and develop tailored solicitation and stewardship strategies. Ensure timely follow-up, relationship management, and stewardship for high-priority donors and funding partners.
- Donor Portfolio & Prospect Management Build, manage, and continuously strengthen the organization's major donor and foundation prospect pipeline. Conduct prospect research and relationship mapping to identify new funding opportunities. Develop and maintain cultivation plans, funding targets, next steps, and stewardship strategies for individual prospects. Establish and facilitate regular pipeline review meetings, performance tracking, and accountability processes.
- Grant Development & Donor Communications Lead the development of high-quality grant proposals, reports, concept papers, donor correspondence, and other funder-facing communications. Prepare pitch decks, briefing materials, and customized proposals for prospective and current funders. Translate the organization's policy, advocacy, research, legal, and member support work into compelling funding opportunities. Incorporate donor feedback to continuously strengthen fundraising messaging and investment opportunities.
- Fundraising Operations & Systems Develop and manage fundraising systems, processes, and operating procedures that improve efficiency and execution. Maintain fundraising calendars, proposal timelines, donor databases, and tracking systems. Establish meeting preparation, follow-up, stewardship, and reporting protocols. Create consistent fundraising operating rhythms that support organizational coordination and accountability.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate with finance, communications, advocacy, policy, legal, research, and program teams to support fundraising efforts. Gather information and organizational data necessary to develop competitive funding proposals and reports. Align messaging across departments and ensure timely fulfillment of donor commitments and reporting requirements. Coordinate internal stakeholders throughout the fundraising lifecycle to ensure successful execution.
- Case for Investment & Strategic Messaging Partner with executive leadership to develop and refine the organization's case for investment. Translate strategic priorities into donor-ready funding opportunities and compelling investment cases. Develop messaging, proof points, and funding narratives tailored to different donor audiences. Ensure fundraising materials remain aligned with organizational priorities and evolve based on donor insights, philanthropic trends, and feedback from funders.
- Provides support as appropriate to CCSA Advocates—CCSA’s tandem 501(c)4 organization—with campaign efforts at the local and state level.
- Supports CCSA sponsored events and activities as needed, including CCSA Annual Charter Schools Conference and CCSA’s internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
What Success Looks Like:
The Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Development will play a central role in strengthening CCSA’s fundraising function and building the systems, relationships, and organizational discipline necessary to support the organization’s long-term goals. Success will be measured not only by philanthropic revenue, but by the development of a more strategic, coordinated, and sustainable approach to fundraising, building the strength of the organization's fundraising systems, leadership practices, donor relationships, and long-term capacity.
Within the first year, the Vice President will have:
- Made meaningful progress toward closing CCSA's annual philanthropic funding gap.
- Built and managed a disciplined prospect pipeline with clear priorities, ownership, cultivation strategies, and accountability.
- Increased CEO and senior leadership engagement with key donors and strategic partners.
- Strengthened the quality and consistency of proposals, donor communications, and stewardship systems.
- Established effective fundraising operating rhythms and cross-functional processes that improve execution and organizational alignment.
- Elevated CCSA's strategic priorities and impact with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and institutional funders.
By the end of the first year, the Vice President will have laid the foundation for a stronger, more strategic development function capable of supporting CCSA’s mission over the long term.
Competencies
- Communicates Effectively - Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate a compelling narrative to diverse audiences.
- Strategic & Critical Thinking - The ability to identify high-value opportunities and evaluate alignment with the organization’s long-term goals
- Operational Excellence - Excellent project management, organizational, and execution skills.
- Executive Partnership & Influence - Strong executive presence and the ability to partner effectively with senior leaders.
- Organizational Effectiveness - Ability to manage multiple complex priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
- Professional Judgment - Excellent judgment, discretion, and political awareness.
- Collaboration & Relationship Building – Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills to build and sustain trust-based, long-term relationships with stakeholders; and the ability to influence across teams without direct authority.
- Deliver Results - High level of initiative, follow-through, and accountability.
- Mission Alignment - Commitment to CCSA's mission and educational opportunity.
- Inclusion: Committed to promoting the value of individual differences to create a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
Required / Preferred Capabilities
- Approximately 10 or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in fundraising, philanthropy, public affairs, government relations, nonprofit leadership, strategy, consulting, executive support, chief of staff roles, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success leading complex initiatives and driving results through influence, collaboration, and strong execution.
- Exceptional writing skills, including experience preparing proposals, briefing materials, executive communications, or other persuasive written materials.
- Ability to travel, including overnight travel, to attend donor meetings, conferences, organizational events, staff retreats, and support other CCSA-related activities as needed.
- Experience managing executive-level relationships and coordinating complex projects across multiple stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience cultivating and stewarding relationships with major donors, institutional funders, and philanthropic partners; experience with advocacy organizations, membership organizations, or public policy environments is strongly preferred.
- Bachelor’s/master’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, public policy, communications, or related field is preferred.
- Familiarity with California education, advocacy, or nonprofit organizations is preferred.
Supervisory Responsibility
The Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Development, does not have any direct reports, but does serve as a thought-partners and project manages others across the organization.
How to Apply
When applying please submit a cover letter answering the following questions:
- What about our mission resonates with your experience and/or interests?
- What makes you an exceptional candidate for this position?
- Where did you learn about this opportunity?
Benefits and Salary
Salary range for this position is $129,560 - $150,570 annually. Selected candidates will be offered a starting salary based on years of aligned experience and any specialized training or certifications (if preferred for the position). Our organization is deeply committed to equity and thus has a no-negotiation policy. CCSA also offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverage upon hire, 401K eligibility with a company match (up to 6%) after the first 90 days of employment, and generous paid time off.
Flexible Workplace
CCSA is a fully remote organization. CCSA staff work in all regions of the state with significant presence in Los Angeles, Sacramento, the Bay Area, the Central Valley, and San Diego.
