Vice President, Philanthropy

About Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay 

Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay believes every student deserves an opportunity-filled future - one shaped by choices, not chance. Through experiential learning in financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship, JA helps young people become confident, capable, competent, and connected to economic opportunity. 

Working alongside schools, businesses, volunteers, and community partners, JA equips students with the transferable skills, real-world experiences, and relationships they need to pursue continuing education and training, navigate an evolving workforce, and achieve economic mobility. By connecting classroom learning to high-growth, high-demand career pathways, JA prepares young people to build financially secure futures and confidently navigate what comes next. Learn more at our website: www.jatampabay.org. 

Position Summary 

Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Vice President of Philanthropy serves as the strategic leader of Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay's philanthropic efforts, advancing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that strengthens the organization's long-term sustainability and mission impact. This role cultivates authentic, lasting relationships with individuals, corporations, foundations, volunteers, and community leaders while positioning Junior Achievement as one of the region's most trusted philanthropic partners. 

The Vice President of Philanthropy leads and develops a high-performing Philanthropy Team responsible for major gifts, annual giving, donor stewardship, volunteer engagement, and fundraising events. By establishing clear strategy, strong relationship management practices, performance measurement, and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, this leader creates the systems and environment that enable philanthropy to flourish across the organization. 

Working in close partnership with the President & CEO, the Vice President of Philanthropy personally manages a portfolio of major donors and strategic partners while helping cultivate transformational philanthropic investments that advance Junior Achievement's mission. This leader also fosters an organization-wide culture of philanthropy by engaging staff, board members, volunteers, and community stakeholders as ambassadors for the organization, ensuring philanthropy is viewed not simply as fundraising, but as the process of building meaningful partnerships that create lasting opportunities for young people throughout the Tampa Bay community. 

Success in this role is measured by the strength of the Philanthropy Team, growth in long-term philanthropic investment, increased engagement of board members and volunteers, effective relationship management and operational systems, and the organization's continued reputation as a trusted community partner committed to preparing young people for success. 

​​​Essential Functions 

Strategic Philanthropic Leadership 

• Provide strategic leadership for Junior Achievement's philanthropic strategy and annual philanthropy plan 
• Partner with the CEO to strengthen the organization's long-term philanthropic capacity and advance an organization-wide culture of philanthropy 
• Ensure philanthropic priorities align with the organization's strategic plan, long-term sustainability goals, and community impact objectives 
• Serve as a strategic advisor on philanthropic trends, opportunities, and investment strategies that advance JA's mission 

Philanthropic Partnership Development 

• Personally manage a portfolio of major donors, principal gift prospects, and strategic philanthropic partners 
• Develop and execute strategies for prospect identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and long-term engagement 
• Partner with the CEO to cultivate transformational philanthropic relationships and principal gift opportunities 
• Build authentic partnerships with individuals, corporations, foundations, and community leaders that inspire sustained philanthropic investment and mission impact 

Team Leadership 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of Philanthropic Relationship Managers, Special Events professionals, and philanthropy support staff 
• Establish clear priorities, accountability, and professional development expectations 
• Foster a collaborative culture built on trust, continuous learning, innovation, and excellence 
• Conduct regular coaching, performance evaluations, and succession planning 

Culture of Philanthropy & Cross-Functional Leadership 

• Champion an organization-wide culture where philanthropy is embraced as a shared responsibility 
• Equip staff, volunteers, and Board members to serve as confident ambassadors for Junior Achievement's mission and philanthropic priorities 
• Foster cross-functional collaboration that strengthens donor engagement, stewardship, and organizational effectiveness 
• Promote a culture of gratitude, transparency, and shared accountability throughout the donor experience 

Philanthropic Engagement Events 

• Provide strategic leadership for philanthropic events that cultivate relationships, inspire generosity, and strengthen community engagement 
• Ensure events deliver exceptional experiences while supporting long-term philanthropic goals 
• Evaluate event effectiveness and continuously improve engagement, stewardship, and return on investment 

Philanthropy Operations 

• Lead the operational excellence of the Philanthropy Team 
• Ensure accurate gift processing, donor records, prospect management, and revenue forecasting 
• Ensure Philanthropic Relationship Managers consistently maintain donor records, stewardship activities, and next steps within the CRM 
• Develop dashboards, performance metrics, and reporting processes that support informed decision-making and organizational learning 
• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate reconciliation, reporting, and forecasting 
• Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising standards, organizational policies, and applicable regulations  

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Philanthropy, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience 
• 8 - 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in philanthropy, nonprofit development, or relationship management 
• Demonstrated success securing major philanthropic investments from individuals and corporations 
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams 
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills 
• Experience managing donor portfolios and utilizing CRM systems to strengthen relationship management  
• Strong organizational, strategic planning, and project management skills 

Desired Qualifications 

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Organizational Leadership, Philanthropy, or a related field 
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification 
• Experience within education, youth development, workforce development, or another mission-driven nonprofit organization 

Compensation & Benefits 

The salary range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000 annually, with the exact salary depending on relevant experience, demonstrated executive-level impact, and alignment with the scope and responsibilities of the role. JA Tampa Bay offers medical, dental, and group life insurance. The organization also offers a 401(k) plan.  

Our Leadership Philosophy 

At Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay, leadership extends beyond managing functions - it is about stewarding people, partnerships, and resources in service of our mission. Leaders are expected to think strategically, collaborate across teams, cultivate authentic relationships, and create the conditions that enable others to succeed. Through integrity, innovation, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement, every leader contributes to building a culture where philanthropy, learning, and organizational excellence work together to create lasting impact for the young people and communities we serve. 

Our Commitment 

At JA of Tampa Bay, we believe that our success is directly tied to our ability to foster an environment where all individuals have access to opportunities and can thrive. We are deeply committed to creating a workplace where inclusion and belonging are not just principles but lived experiences. This commitment drives us to attract, develop, retain, and promote a workforce that mirrors the communities we serve, bringing together a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and talents.   

We embrace the unique contributions that every JA Tampa Bay employee brings to our mission and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to join our team. By welcoming various voices, we continue to expand our understanding of the world, and we actively seek to elevate the representation of different individual experiences and the perspectives they shape.   

We are dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and heard - where people can be their authentic selves and know that they belong. This is how we build a workplace where every individual can succeed, and where we work together to create lasting impact for the young people and communities we serve. 

Additional Information 

JA Tampa Bay does not provide sponsorship for employment visas for this position. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship, now or in the future. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship.