VP of Advancement in Durham

Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC) is seeking a dynamic, strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Vice President of Advancement. This executive leadership role will guide the organization’s communications, marketing, and resource development efforts to expand the impact of CISNC and ensure more students across North Carolina have the support they need to succeed in school and in life.

For more than three decades, Communities In Schools has partnered with schools and communities across North Carolina to surround students with the relationships, resources, and opportunities they need to stay in school and achieve in life. The Vice President of Advancement will play a critical role in advancing this mission by building strong partnerships, elevating CISNC’s voice, and securing the philanthropic investments needed to sustain and grow services statewide.

This is an opportunity to join a mission-driven organization that is making a tangible difference in the lives of students and families across North Carolina. The Vice President of Advancement will help shape the future of CISNC by expanding partnerships, strengthening public awareness, and securing the resources needed to ensure that more students have the support they need to succeed.

At Communities In Schools, we are “all-in” for kids. It is our passion-- it is our mission. As the State Office for North Carolina, we deliver CIS programs across the state and we collaborate with local affiliate organizations, to provide resources and create communities of caring adults who work hand-in-hand with educators to make sure young people have the tools they need to stay in school and achieve in life. Communities In Schools is the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, serving 1.5 million students in 2,400 sites across the country. We achieve this mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who have a passion for what we do. At CISNC, we value relationships, collaboration, learning, integrity and commitment.

The Vice President of Advancement serves as the organization's lead advancement strategist, responsible for designing, leading, and executing a comprehensive approach to fundraising, communications, marketing, partnerships, and brand to drive sustainable growth and statewide impact for Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC). As a key member of the executive leadership team, this position sets the vision and direction for how CISNC secures resources, expands influence, and deepens stakeholder engagement in support of its mission to serve more students across North Carolina.

This position is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive advancement strategies that increase philanthropic investment, strengthen the organization’s visibility and reputation, and builds and stewards strategic partnerships that extend CISNC’s reach and impact. The Vice President of Advancement ensures alignment across external-facing functions and organizational priorities, using data and performance metrics to drive decision-making, measure impact, and improve results.

In close partnership with the President/CEO and leadership team, this role shapes and implements strategies that position CISNC as a trusted, results-driven leader in education and student support. The Vice President of Advancement oversees all advancement and external relations functions including communications and brand management, marketing and public awareness, fundraising and donor stewardship, grant strategy, partnerships, and CRM/database management systems, ensuring a cohesive, high-performing advancement operation that secures the resources necessary to sustain and grow services for students and families statewide.

Location and core business hours: CISNC Durham office. Core Business Hours M-F 9AM-4PM

Essential Functions:

• Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive organizational advancement and external relations strategy aligned with CISNC’s strategic plan and growth goals.
• Partner with the President/CEO and leadership team to strengthen the organization’s visibility, partnerships, and philanthropic investment.
• Identify opportunities to expand CISNC’s reach and impact through strategic relationships and partnerships.
• Support and develop board relationships to open doors to new opportunities for the organization.

• Lead and manage all fundraising strategies, including individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, campaigns and shared networkwide fundraising.
• Leverage executive-level networks and partnerships with business leaders, philanthropic organizations, and community stakeholders to expand CISNC’s reach, influence, and philanthropic support.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Oversee grant strategy, writing, and management.
• Develop and execute fundraising campaigns and events that strengthen philanthropic engagement.

• Develop and lead strategic public awareness and media campaigns that elevate CISNC’s visibility across the affiliate network, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and highlight measurable student outcomes.
• Lead the organization’s communications and marketing strategy to elevate CISNC’s brand and impact across North Carolina.
• Oversee external communications, storytelling, media relations, and digital presence.
• Develop campaigns that engage stakeholders and amplify the organization’s mission and outcomes.

• Build and steward relationships with key partners including business leaders, philanthropy, community organizations, and education stakeholders.
• Support the engagement of board members and partners in fundraising and outreach efforts.
• Serve as an ambassador for CISNC, representing the organization in external forums and events.

• Oversee advancement staff and consultants responsible for communications, development, marketing, and donor engagement.
• Ensure strong systems for prospect research, donor stewardship, and database management.
• Establish metrics to measure effectiveness of fundraising and communications efforts.

Core Competencies:

• Student-Centered
• Integrity and Accountability
• Collaboration
• Impact-Driven Excellence
• Respect

Job Specific Competencies:

• Effective Professional Communication
• Fundraising
• Collaboration
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Decision Making and Judgement
• Interpersonal Skills
• Planning and Organizing
• Project Management
• Relationship Building
• Researching Information
• Strategic Vision
• Creative and Innovative Thinking

Required Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree preferred. Candidates with significant senior leadership experience and a demonstrated portfolio of strategic relationships, philanthropic partnerships, and executive-level engagement may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
• 8–10+ years of leadership experience in fundraising, communications, marketing, external relations, organizational advancement, or related fields.
• Proven track record of securing philanthropic investments and building strong donor relationships, including experience with major gifts, corporate partnerships, and foundation funding.
• Demonstrated success leading strategic communications or public relations initiatives, including media campaigns or public awareness efforts that resulted in measurable outcomes such as increased visibility, engagement, or philanthropic investment.
• Established network of relationships with senior leaders across philanthropy, business, media, and community organizations, with the ability to leverage those connections to advance organizational goals.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in nonprofit, education, community-based, corporate, or cross-sector environments is strongly valued.
• Commitment to the mission of Communities In Schools and improving outcomes for students.
• Must be able to see, hear and move about the office.
• Must be able to lift 20 lbs.
• Must be willing to travel up to 10%

NOTE: The above information is intended to describe the most important aspects of the job. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required in order to perform the work.

Learn more at www.cisnc.org, and stay connected with CISNC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Perks: We offer outstanding benefits including medical, dental, vision, short-term disability and 403(b) match and MORE!!! We offer paid vacation, wellness time and holidays. Our team is friendly, fun and collaborative.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as "protected status"). This nondiscrimination policy extends to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment as well as the use of all company facilities, participation in all company-sponsored activities, and all employment actions such as promotions, compensation, benefits and termination of employment.