Job Description
Vice President of Development and Advancement
Position Overview
Teaching Matters is a national nonprofit organization, headquartered in New York City, with the mission to close the opportunity gap of a radically unequal education system for underserved and historically marginalized children. From states and districts to schools and classrooms, we partner to help teachers and school leaders develop the skills they need to teach well, lead their peers, and drive school-wide improvement.
The Vice President of Development & Advancement is a key member of the senior leadership team and reports directly to the CEO. This role will help drive Teaching Matters’ national growth and visibility through fundraising, communications, and strategic partnerships. The VP will lead the Development and Communications teams, working closely with the CEO and senior leaders to deepen relationships with funders, expand philanthropic investment, and elevate Teaching Matters’ influence on teacher effectiveness, equity, and quality.
This is an opportunity for an entrepreneurial and mission-driven advancement leader to help scale a proven model of teacher development and system-level impact nationwide.
This is a hybrid position, requiring a regular presence in New York City; Tri-state area candidates preferred.
Key Responsibilities
1. Fundraising & Development
- Cultivate and steward select high-level philanthropic, corporate, and foundation relationships while aligning the development team’s work to organizational priorities and long-term growth.
- Lead a cohesive multi-year fundraising and national advancement strategy that grows annual revenue beyond its current $3-5M base, reaching approximately 7-10 million or more in the coming years.
- Align the Development Team’s goals and operations with Teaching Matters’ strategic priorities and expansion plan.
- Partner with the CEO to identify, engage, and inspire new national funders.
- Direct Reports: Director of Development; Associate Director of Development.
2. Marketing, Communications, & Brand
- Provide strategic oversight for Teaching Matters’ brand, storytelling, and external communications to strengthen visibility and impact.
- Lead the development of thought leadership (white papers, policy briefs, op-eds) that amplify Teaching Matters’ influence in the national education conversation.
- Engage in advocacy and philanthropic coalitions to raise the organization’s profile and advance investments that strengthen teacher capacity and ensure every child has access to high-quality learning.
- Direct Reports: Director of Communications (anticipated).
Qualifications
- 10+ years of senior leadership experience in advancement, fundraising, or external relations with education or mission-aligned non-profits.
- Proven success designing and executing fundraising strategies that drive significant growth ($5M+ annually).
- Demonstrated experience cultivating new relationships with major philanthropic and corporate funders, with a substantial history of capturing large grants independently, securing sustainable growth funding, and building new revenue streams.
- At least 5 years experience in K-12 education and/or strong understanding of K-12 education systems, policy, and teacher development.
- Excellent communicator with exceptional relationship-building, storytelling, and public-speaking skills.
- Collaborative leader with a track record of building high-performing teams.
- Comfortable navigating complex political, philanthropic, and policy landscapes.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, growth-oriented nonprofit or education organization preferred.
- Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or education-related field) preferred.
Compensation:
- Salary Range: $179, 516 - $209,435
Teaching Matters is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital or partnership status, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.
We are also committed to affirmative action and to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and employment.
