Search Success: Griet Dehandschutter Joins Treehouse Foundation as Director of Development!

Treehouse Foundation and Pillar Search are thrilled to announce the appointment of Griet Dehandschutter to the position of Director of Development.

As the Director of Development, Griet will be a key member of the Treehouse Leadership Team, overseeing the organization’s fundraising and expanding its community of support across Massachusetts and nationwide. Griet will be responsible for setting fundraising strategy, managing the fundraising team, growing Treehouse’s resources by deepening engagement with individuals, corporations and foundations and raising the organization’s visibility in support of its big and bold vision. She will report to Treehouse Foundation’s Founder and Executive Director Judy Cockerton.

Most recently, Griet was the Executive Director of Acton-Boxborough United Way where she doubled the revenue in two years and engaged multi-stakeholder coalitions to address vital community needs. Prior to that, Griet was an international fundraising consultant, where she pioneered innovative and sustainable international major giving, corporate and foundation giving strategies with large and small nonprofits, museums, and universities across 15 countries and 4 continents. Earlier in her career, as East Coast Director for Flanders Investment and Trade, Griet partnered with Fortune 500 executives to locate their pan-European business operations in Belgium. Griet also co-founded the European-American Chamber of Commerce in the United States, today known as the Transatlantic Business Council (TABC).

Griet earned her Master of Arts degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and her Master of Law from Belgium’s University of Antwerp.

In addition, Griet has served on several boards, including the American Fund for Charities, SilverAqua, and iScale. As a volunteer, Griet co-chaired the Capital Campaign for the United Church of Christ in Boxborough, MA.

About the Treehouse Foundation: The Treehouse Foundation is an award-winning Massachusetts-based nonprofit that is working diligently to inspire a Re-Envisioning of Foster Care in America.

Since its launch in 2002, Treehouse has been investing in foster care, vital aging, and affordable housing innovation. Its mission: To inspire, implement, and support innovative child welfare practices that ensure our children who experience foster care find permanent families and supportive communities, allowing them to develop, heal and thrive. Its vision: Every child rooted in family and community. 

Nationally recognized social entrepreneur, Judy Cockerton, has provided her visionary leadership to the Treehouse Foundation since its inception. Cockerton, known as a highly collaborative leader, developed the award-winning intergenerational Treehouse Community model and leads the Re-Envisioning Foster Care in America (REFCA) movement. In 2006, the first intergenerational Treehouse Community opened in western Massachusetts, where the largest percentage of children and youth experiencing foster care in the Commonwealth reside. The Treehouse Foundation partnered with Beacon Communities LLC to design, build and operate the first Treehouse Community in Easthampton, MA. Treehouse is now partnering with 2Life Communities to bring the successful intergenerational Treehouse Community model to the site of the former Boston State Hospital in Mattapan.

On November 3-4, the Treehouse Foundation will host its 9th national Re-Envisioning Foster Care in America (REFCA) conference in Boston. REFCA2023 will feature the wisdom, award winning ideas, and lived expertise of REFCA Champions – stellar changemakers who are using their firsthand experience and professional acumen to create new visions for child welfare.

To learn more about this visionary organization, please visit https://www.treehousefoundation.net.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information about Pillar, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

Search Success: Anusha Venkataraman Joins ONE Neighborhood Builders as Managing Director of Central Providence Opportunities!

ONE Neighborhood Builders and Pillar Search and HR Consulting are excited to share that Anusha Venkataram has joined ONE Neighborhood Builders as their new Managing Director of Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone. She brings nearly two decades of experience in community development, policy, and organizing, to state’s leading community development corporation.

PROVIDENCE, RI – ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB) named Anusha Venkataraman, the former executive director of the New York City Racial Justice Commission, as the organization’s first Managing Director of Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone (CPO-HEZ), an initiative focused on advancing health equity and economic mobility in the 02908 and 02909 zip codes in Providence.

“Anusha is a seasoned expert in community development, policy, and organizing, and we are thrilled that she has returned to Providence. As ONE|NB looks to further strengthen our foundation as a community-centered impact organization, we knew we needed to find a leader with a track record of building community trust and getting results,” said ONE|NB President and Executive Director Jennifer Hawkins.

With a background in urban planning, Venkataraman’s work has focused on community development, public policy, civic engagement, political organizing, and the arts. Previously, she served as the Executive Director of the NYC Racial Justice Commission, where she steered a public process of reviewing the city’s charter, resulting in three successful ballot initiatives advancing racial equity.

“Across my career in grassroots organizations, nonprofits, and in city government, I have seen what is possible when community members are empowered to drive action,” said Venkataraman. “I am excited to make my return to Providence—a city I am deeply passionate about—and help lead this initiative with ONE|NB in addressing the systemic barriers to health and economic equity in Central Providence and collectively building a stronger future.”

Before leading the NYC Racial Justice Commission, Venkataraman held positions in the NYC Office of the Mayor, including Chief Service Officer and Senior Advisor to the Deputy Mayor for Housing & Economic Development, as well as in the NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development. She also worked with the community organization El Puente in Brooklyn on a neighborhood-wide health and sustainability initiative. Venkataraman started her career in Rhode Island’s nonprofit sector, including as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at the Steel Yard in Providence.

The Managing Director provides strategic leadership and capacity to Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone, which brings together residents, more than five dozen community-based organizations, health professionals, local businesses, elected officials, and others to address root causes of health disparities and to improve neighborhood conditions.

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) established Health Equity Zones (HEZs) in 2015 to improve community health in areas that need it most. HEZs are collaboratives of residents, community organizations, health professionals, and others who come together to address the root causes of health disparities. The HEZs work to ensure every neighborhood has a fair and just opportunity to be healthier. This work requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, racism, and their consequences, including insufficient access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education, affordable housing, safe environments, and healthcar

As Managing Director of CPO-HEZ, Venkataraman will oversee ONE|NB’s work with community partners and residents who have been working for nearly a year to develop a vision for Central Providence. ONE|NB and its partners will culminate this planning work on Monday when they unveil the Central Providence Roadmap, with a vision to ensure that all residents of Central Providence will live healthy, stable lives and be empowered to impact the conditions in their community.

Venkataraman earned a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Pratt Institute and a bachelor’s in international relations from Brown University.

ABOUT ONE NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDERS:

ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB) is a nonprofit community development leader in Rhode Island that is expanding its work to the broader Greater Providence area while maintaining its deep roots in its historic home of Olneyville. ONE|NB’s mission is to develop affordable housing and engage neighbors to cultivate healthy, vibrant, and safe communities. Since its founding in 1988, then as Olneyville Housing Corporation, ONE|NB has developed 466 affordable apartments; 130 for-sale homes for low- to moderate-income homebuyers; and nearly 34,000 square feet of commercial and community space—totaling more than $135 million of investments. ONE|NB is the convening entity of Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone, which brings together residents, more than five dozen community-based organizations, health professionals, local businesses, elected officials, and others to address root causes of health disparities and to improve neighborhood conditions. As the convener, ONE|NB is the backbone organization of this collective-impact initiative to increase economic mobility for residents in Central Providence. ONE|NB also created the first free community wireless network in Rhode Island, providing high-speed broadband to nearly 3000 unique users in the Olneyville neighborhood.

ABOUT PILLAR SEARCH & HR CONSULTING:

A woman-owned business and Certified Diversity Recruiter based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information about Pillar, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

Search Success: Lorna Campbell Joins the B.A.A. as Head of Public Relations!

The Boston Athletic Association (the “B.A.A.”) and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are thrilled to announce the appointment of Lorna Campbell to the position of Head of Public Relations.  

As the founding Head of Public Relations, Lorna will be tasked with building a best-in-class Public Relations strategy and function for global impact and will be a key driver in advancing the effectiveness and vision of the B.A.A. Reporting directly to the B.A.A.’s Chief Executive Officer, Jack Fleming, she will be part of the organization’s senior leadership team.

Most recently, Lorna was Head of Communications for the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Prior, she was the Regional Director, Asia Pacific, Public Relations & Sports Marketing with Hill+Knowlton Strategies based in Singapore. With more than 20 years’ experience in PR and communications in Asia, Europe and the US, Lorna has worked on some of the world’s largest sporting events including the London, Rio and Tokyo Summer Olympic Games; the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, the Wimbledon Championships, 2014 Ryder Cup and the Commonwealth Games from 2006-2018 with Team Scotland.

Lorna earned her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Sports Science & Geography from England’s Loughborough University and is a Certified Digital Marketing Professional through the Digital Marketing Institute.

About the B.A.A.:  The B.A.A. is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A. is committed to a world where all people can access and benefit from running and an active lifestyle. The B.A.A. advances its mission and vision in a variety of ways, such as organizing mass-participatory running events like the Boston Marathon, creating or supporting community fitness events, and sponsoring a running club that serves the greater Boston area.

The B.A.A. believes that everyone—no matter their race, gender, or background—should be able to advance their well-being safely and without fear or discrimination of any kind. The organization is committed to fostering a workplace and community that is diverse, equitable, inclusive and promotes a sense of belonging for all. To learn more about this wonderful organization, please visit www.baa.org.  

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business and Certified Diversity Recruiter based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information about Pillar, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

New Search: Vice President of Marketing with Sandy Hook Promise

Pillar Search is honored to partner with Sandy Hook Promise on their search for the new Vice President, Marketing. This is a remote role. Qualified candidates are encouraged to email their cover letter and resume to Cindy Joyce, Pillar’s Founder/Executive Search Consultant at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

About Sandy Hook Promise

Sandy Hook Promise(SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the lifesaving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships.

SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.

Commitment to Racial Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

SHP strives to ensure its culture and work environment reflect the values of race, diversity, equity, and inclusion (REDI) and is responsive to the views and issues of the diverse communities with which we live and work. SHP encourages individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to equity and inclusion to apply.

Position Summary

This is the role you’ve been waiting for – an opportunity to leverage your extensive background in brand building and marketing fundamentals on a fast-growing brand that is making a difference and saving the lives of young people. You are joining a high-performing team that has won two Emmy awards for “Outstanding Commercial” and countless Cannes Lions, Effies, Webby Awards, and other recognitions. Not only will you be driving the brand but will also drive growth on grassroots fundraising that makes up 60% of the organization’s operating budget.

As the Vice President of Marketing (VP), you will be leading a highly skilled department that is responsible for development, planning and execution of all SHP brand marketing, internal and external communications, media and public relations, web content and digital marketing management, collateral, and graphic design. Additionally, as the VP you will ensure consistency in messaging and strengthening SHP awareness across all touchpoints, internally and externally.  You will be refining the marketing and brand vision collaboratively across departments internally as well as with partners and agencies externally.  You will be managing relationships with world-class CMOs, agencies, and media leaders to evolve our brand vision and create compelling messaging and creative that drives brand equity and fundraising results. With your work, we will advance SHP’s thought leadership, program impact, and policy objectives.  This role will support the work of both the Foundation (c3) and the Action Fund (c4).

In this role, you will lead and manage a large and highly talented team with 3 direct reports who manage an additional 3 communications professionals and 5 digital marketing professionals. The VP will also work closely with the marketing team and the COO to manage external agency partners across disciplines, including ad creative, digital marketing/fundraising, media, public relations, and others as needed.

This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer.

Job Responsibilities

Marketing/Branding

  • Responsible for (and gate keeper of) the overall SHP Brand / SHP Programs marketing, brand treatment, and promotional execution – including directing key messages, brand identity/guidelines, advertising, and delivery channels – this role collaborates and aligns on overall strategy and execution with the C-suite.
  • Lead holistic vision and strategy for all marketing and branding across all touchpoints, including all elements of Comms/PR, Digital, and all other messaging/advertising; delivering on objectives for both C3 and C4 SHP organizations.
  • Lead media strategy and work with SHP’s Media Advisory Board, ensuring strong continued media donations and continuous innovation on how to change the narrative on gun violence.
  • Ensures marketing and communications support of activities surrounding all SHP PSA campaigns, evergreen messaging, fundraising messaging, events, conferences, speaking engagements, and other such functions by developing and producing related collateral.
  • Responsible for all grassroots fundraising (~65% of total organization’s revenue) driving winning strategies across traditional and advanced technology mediums, including email, SMS, SEO/SEM, and digital/social 47ad fundraising.
  • Leads colleagues and stakeholders to understand and support the branding, marketing and communications strategies.
  • Ensures the highest standard of editorial quality of print and electronic media communications, assuring timely access to information by members.

General

  • Supports and guides both Communications and Digital teams to deliver all goals for the teams, ensuring strong fundamentals, continuous innovation, and growth of team members.
  • Identifies the need for, develops guidelines for, and directs the activities of external resources as it pertains to branding and marketing, such as outside consultants, including advertising agencies, public relations agencies, graphic designers, website designers, marketing professionals, and speech and freelance writers.
  • Identifies and develops relationships/partnerships with third parties such as community leaders, academics, companies, thought leaders, associations, etc. that could be influential on behalf of the organization and continue to support our thought leadership in gun violence prevention (GVP) and school safety
  • Other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

  • 15+ years of progressive experience in senior marketing/brand management/communications positions within a corporation or nonprofit, including significant diversified management experience.
  • Passion for brand building and marketing with proven ability to get the best creativity out of teams to develop the next evolution of SHP communications.
  • Ability to lead strategies and campaigns for both brand-building and performance marketing, with a history of continually innovating and testing new ideas.
  • Proven track record of developing successful marketing strategies, leveraging multiple marketing disciplines, that contributed to the achievement of set goals and mission of the organization.
  • Strong experience/understanding of communications, digital marketing, and media.
  • Exceptional written and oral communicator who displays a strong sense of vision, sophistication and a collaborative, creative, and strategic approach to communication.
  • Experience hiring, coaching, and managing a highly talented and diverse team.
  • In-depth experience managing and coaching for top-quality outputs from internal teams and external consultants/agencies (e.g. public relations agencies, creative ad agencies, media agencies, etc.)
  • Proven ability to create, communicate strategies and well-organized plans and deliver them with excellence by necessary deadlines.
  • Ability to re-prioritize and react when necessary to urgent rapid response moments.
  • Experience handling sensitive and confidential issues.
  • Demonstrated ability to build, develop, and foster relationships internally and externally.
  • Strong attention to detail with the ability to solve problems, work independently, and excel in a high-performance culture.
  • Takes an ambitious, innovative, and creative approach to communications/marketing strategies.
  • Adept in Microsoft Office Applications, proficiency in Excel, Word, and Outlook; ability to quickly learn new systems and processes.
  • Willingness to travel as necessary (Approx 5-10%)

Benefits and Salary Range

The starting salary for this position is $140,000-160,000. SHP offers a competitive benefits package, including:

  • Generous paid time off and holidays
  • Paid parental leave
  • Health, dental, and vision
  • Employer paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability
  • 401k match
  • Employer Paid Employee Assistance

This is a fully remote position.  SHP operates within a distributed workforce, allowing for location flexibility across the country for most positions. We provide remote office support for all staff, which includes a laptop, home office reimbursement, monthly WIFI reimbursement up to $40, and monthly cell phone reimbursement up to $50.

Equal Opportunity Employment

SHP is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to be an employer of choice: where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and do their best work. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are focused on promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion and believe deeply in having a workforce comprised of people of all beliefs and backgrounds who seek to prevent gun violence and stop the tragic loss of life. Members of all under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.

To Apply

Sandy Hook Promise has partnered with Cindy Joyce of Pillar Search & HR Consulting for the Vice President of Marketing search. Please submit your materials (cover letter and resume) to Cindy at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. Pillar’s Founder, Cindy Joyce, is a Certified Diversity Recruiter. For more information, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

New Search: Director of Partnerships With Aim High

Introduction

Pillar Search & HR Consulting is honored to partner with Aim High on their search for the Director of Partnerships. This is a hybrid role located in San Francisco, CA. Qualified candidates are encouraged to email their cover letter and resume to Cindy Joyce, Pillar’s Founder/Executive Search Consultant, at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

About Aim High

Aim High embraces the raw beauty of early adolescence by focusing on middle school (ages of 11 to 14), a vital stage of maturation. It is also critical to educational trajectories: improving the college and career readiness skills students possess by eighth grade has the largest impact on high school graduates’ ultimate level of college and career readiness – even more than any single high school-level enhancement. Summer programs are particularly effective in mitigating the inequity caused by systemic barriers in education. Despite its importance, just 1.1% of the 5.5 million middle school students from low-income communities nationwide have access to free summer enrichment programs. Aim High’s multi-year, five-week summer program combines pedagogical rigor with emotional depth to ignite the boundless potential within young people navigating systemic barriers.

They envision every middle school student having access to joyful summer learning, inspired and innovative teachers, and the support they need to succeed in school and life.

Aim High was founded on the belief that every student has the right to a quality education. In 1986 they launched at one site in San Francisco with just 50 students. Over the last 35 years, they have expanded across the Bay Area in every direction, as far as Napa and Tahoe-Truckee. Along the way, their transformative summer enrichment program has empowered thousands of middle schoolers from low-income neighborhoods, igniting their love of learning and yielding real results – 98% of Aim High alumni graduate and go on to college.

Learn more at www.aimhigh.org.

The Opportunity

Aim High is seeking an experienced and collaborative leader to serve as its Director of Partnerships. Reporting to VP of Philanthropy and Marketing and in partnership with the CEO, this dynamic role will support the organization’s long-term vision of increasing the number of students who have access to the Aim High program by forming strong earned-revenue partnerships with schools, districts, and community-based organizations. This includes creating and driving a strategic approach to growing our earned revenue strategy in a sustainable way. This role is highly collaborative and requires strategic thinking that can set up the organization for ambitious and sustainable growth. This position works closely with its CEO, Board of Trustees, and members of the Aim High staff.

Aim High is in the midst of creating the next strategic plan, and this position will take the lead in building an earned revenue strategy that increases revenue growth on an annual basis. FY23, the target is $500,000 and subsequent years will have increased targets. If this sounds like an ideal role for you, you will have the opportunity to…

Drive partnerships strategy:

  • Working closely with the CEO, VP of Philanthropy and Marketing, VP of Program Design and Impact, and VP of Program Operations to build and execute the organization’s earned revenue strategy, including owning the development of a pipeline of prospects capable of entering a fee-for-service relationship with Aim High. Lead the execution of the annual business development strategy and forecast to meet revenue growth targets.
  • Lead the development and management of the organization’s selection criteria and MOU execution process for new sites and regional expansions. Serve as the organization’s primary earned revenue sales lead, including the creation of sales proposals and presentations to articulate partnership opportunities. Work closely with regional program teams and senior management to finalize partnerships.
  • Build and close a sales pipeline that enables the organization to meet its goals for growth and scale
  • Collaborate with Finance to understand cost of services to determine pricing tactics and lead revenue conversations that support financially-sustainable, long-term growth plans
  • Identify data, metrics, and methodology to estimate KPIs, and track, measure, and report new monthly/quarterly data cross partnerships for each relationship leader

Provide organizational leadership:

  • Partner with the CEO and VPPM in shaping organizational and revenue generation strategies that drive the growth of the organization.
  • Act as a strategic advisor on the organization’s strategy, vision, and overall performance. Provide thought partnership on the organization’s strategic planning.
  • Partner with the CEO, Board, and Senior Management Team to create a long-term sustainability plan for the organization.
  • Work closely with members of the program team to build and maintain processes for greenlighting new site expansion
  • Effectively communicate and present critical matters to the senior management team and the Board of Trustees.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships across the organization, including the CEO and Board. Serve as a trusted advisor.
  • Assist in building a strong and productive sense of community and team. Be a culture carrier committed to Aim High’s ADEI (Anti-Racist, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) values.

Other duties as needed.

Qualifications

You will be successful in this role if you:

  • Possess a deep commitment to the mission of Aim High.
  • Enjoy building a persuasive case for social impact and relish the opportunity to invite people to join in a meaningful mission.
  • Are motivated by big challenges that can deliver critical impact to communities.
  • Have previous experience leading in the nonprofit education space and have demonstrated a consistent ability to meet aggressive growth targets.
  • Are driven by an ambitious sales pipeline and thrive when charged with building new opportunities for growth.
  • Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
  • Are a strong communicator with an attention to detail and sensitivity to the recipient of your communication.
  • Have a strategic mindset paired with the execution skills that allow you to lead and manage projects, groups, or organizations to achieve goals/ objectives.
  • Demonstrate significant experience working with diverse audiences and/or communicating with an equity lens.
  • Proficiency using computers and software such as Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications
  • Outstanding problem solver with the ability to make quick, sound decisions and the ability to juggle multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
  • Positive, can-do attitude with a solutions-oriented mindset
  • Attention to detail and the ability to operate with considerable independence to effectively establish priorities and work accurately under time constraints.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as a high level of cultural competence

Job Details

  • Reports To: VP of Philanthropy and Marketing
  • Location: Bay Area, CA
  • Pay range is $135,000 – $150,000 DOE
  • Classification: Full-time (40 hours per week); exempt from overtime
  • Benefits: 100% employer-paid health insurance (medical/dental/vision) for employees, retirement match, and generous paid time off including a winter closure.

Aim High recognizes that striving to be a truly anti-racist, diverse, equitable, and inclusive (A.D.E.I.) organization requires deep and long-term commitment. They know that they will make mistakes, and they are dedicated to learning from them. They ask their broader Aim High team – including staff, educators, board members, and supporters – to encourage, challenge, and join them in living out their commitment to A.D.E.I.

Aim High is an equal opportunity employer. Aim High seeks diversity in its community and affords equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, citizenship status, medical condition, or any other legally protected status.

Vaccination Policy

Aim High requires that the holder of this position be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the CDC. Aim High will review and consider requests for reasonable accommodation to this requirement.

To Apply

Aim High has partnered with Cindy Joyce of Pillar Search & HR Consulting for the Director of Partnerships search. Please submit your materials (cover letter and resume) to Cindy at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

New Search: Vice President, Donor Engagement

Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) has partnered with Pillar Search & HR Consulting in their search for their new Vice President, Donor Engagement. This is an exciting role for an experienced professional with donor engagement and nonprofit leadership experience. 

Who We Are       

MaineCF’s mission is to bring people and resources together to build a better Maine. We hold assets of over $775 million and work statewide with donors and other partners to provide grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships for Maine students. Our 48 employees work from our main office in Ellsworth, a second office in Portland, and remote locations throughout the state.  We have a commitment to equity and expect all staff will use equity to inform their work with us. Please learn more about us by visiting our website: https://www.mainecf.org.

Position Summary

The Vice President, Donor Engagement leads the Foundation’s donor engagement and planned giving departments and is a member of the Foundation’s management team. Reporting to the CEO, the VP of Donor Engagement provides strategic vision and direction to all aspects of the Foundation’s work with existing donors. The overarching goal of this position is to provide high-quality customer service, strategic grantmaking, and learning opportunities to and with donors. This position will be instrumental in developing and executing new strategies to engage donors to participate in broader initiatives and make unrestricted grants that will further MaineCF’s mission of building a better Maine. The ideal candidate will be relationship-focused and committed to lifelong learning. They must be an experienced leader with the ability to lead their own team and to partner with other teams across the Foundation.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

  • Develop, deliver, and evaluate the Foundation’s donor engagement strategies, policies, and activities with a focus on relationship-building.
  • Advise and prepare CEO for donor interactions by providing succinct descriptions of donors’ preferences, goals, and grantmaking history.
  • In partnership with VP of Philanthropy and Director of Planned Giving, develop, deliver and evaluate the Foundation’s planned giving strategies, policies, and activities.
  • Works closely with VP of Philanthropy to develop and implement advancement goals and strategies particularly as they relate to donor advised funds.
  • Cultivate and build relationships with current donors to create an organizational culture that focuses on relationship-building.
  • Develop and execute strategies to increase engagement and grantmaking from current donor advisors.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of issue areas, initiatives, and community networks throughout Maine in order to guide donors and inform their grantmaking.
  • Support donors’ grantmaking by providing expertise that connects their desired goals with initiatives in Maine.
  • Understand and communicate grantmaking policies and practices in support of donors and in line with the current procedures of the organization.
  • Maintain and record major interactions with donors in Foundation database.
  • Perform the duties of a department manager, including interviewing, hiring, scheduling, training, supervising, evaluating, recognizing, and disciplining direct reports, setting employee goals and objectives, resolving employee issues, and ensuring compliance with the Employee Handbook and related personnel policies.
  • Participate and provide leadership in organizational management as a member of MaineCF’s management team.
  • Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications needed for position:

  • Minimum of 7-10 years’ experience preferred, at least 2 years management experience.
  • Degree strongly preferred or demonstrated equivalent work experience.
  • Exceptional planning and organizational skills, with the ability to think strategically in the design and execution of projects and thrive in a complex environment with multiple priorities.
  • Commitment to and experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Proven record of managing, motivating and mentoring a team of professionals to achieve positive outcomes.
  • A relationship builder, with exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups and individuals.
  • Proven track record in donor services/customer service and outreach, in particular with high-net-worth individuals.
  • Experience in asset development, including unrestricted, targeted, and planned gifts.
  • Knowledge of organizations and issues that may have long-term impact on communities across Maine.
  • Well-organized, self-motivated, and can-do attitude. Team player.
  • Willingness and ability to travel within Maine.
  • Willingness and ability to attend meetings and events outside regular work hours as needed.

Location and Schedule

This is a full-time hybrid position (2 days in office, 3 days remote), based out of either the Ellsworth or Portland office.

Compensation and Benefits

  • Salary range of $135K-$165K annually, based on experience and qualifications
  • Health Insurance, 100% employer-paid premium for individual coverage
  • Dental Insurance, 100% employer-paid premium for individual coverage
  • Vision Insurance, 100% employer-paid premium for individual coverage
  • Employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and term life insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with a 6-9% company contribution vested immediately
  • 21 paid days off per year (increases with tenure)
  • 13 paid holidays per year
  • Parental leave
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Wellness benefit

Hiring Process and Timeline

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to Cindy Joyce, Executive Search Consultant and Founder, Pillar Search & HR Consulting, at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

The deadline for submitting your materials is March 10, 2023. Ideally, we would like to have the new VP, Donor Engagement join in April.

Search Success: Aubey Church Joins Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance as Policy Manager!

Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are proud to announce the appointment of Aubrey Church to the position of Fisheries Policy Manager. Aubrey joined the organization on February 6, 2023.

As Policy Manager, Aubrey will manage and execute all policy and campaign activities, working with the CEO to develop policy positions and strategize advocacy campaigns. Aubrey will attend state and federal regulatory meetings to monitor proposed changes and represent the local fleet, analyze fishery policy options, build relationships and credibility within the fishing industry and with elected officials, organize fishermen meetings to discuss fisheries issues, write comment letters on proposed regulatory changes (for the organization and for the fishermen), and organize fishermen and the public to participate in advocacy campaigns.

Most recently, Aubrey was a Research Biologist with the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation. Prior, she was a Data Debriefer with the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program and earlier in her career Aubrey was a Northeast Fisheries Observer and At-Sea Monitor with MRAG, Americas. In addition, she has consulted with Fishery Applications Consulting Team, LLC and Stoveboat LLC.

In December 2022, Aubrey completed her Professional Science Master’s degree from UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science and Technology. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Franklin & Marshall College.

About Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance: The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance is a progressive leader that promotes stewardship of coastal ecosystems and community-based fisheries management through outreach, economic development, and policy programs. Started in 1991 by a small group of commercial hook and line fishermen from Cape Cod, the organization quickly developed into an effective voice for all local fishermen. The operating theory is straightforward: responsible fishing practices and conservative regulations will generate healthy fish stocks and revitalize the region’s fishing communities.

The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance works closely with fishermen, public officials, scientists, and other non-profits to advocate for a sustainable small-boat fishing fleet while creating smart policies that promote habitat protection, community decision-making, and a viable fishery for the next generation. Learn more at www.capecodfishermen.org.  

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.