VP, Growth, Strategy, and Donor Relations

About this role

Policy Link

Vice President, Growth, Strategy, and Donor Relations

To apply, please visit:

About the Organization

Short Summary

PolicyLink is a research and action institute working to advance a nation that truly governs for all.

Long Summary

PolicyLink advances structural solutions, shape conditions, build connections, and strengthen the field infrastructure needed to deliver on the promise of a nation where all can thrive. We are relentlessly focused on delivering results at a scale that matches the challenges — and the potential — of this country.

To achieve this vision, we concentrate our efforts in five key arenas that shape how the nation governs and delivers for its people:

• The legal and regulatory systems that shape our democracy and economy, including amending and advancing the U.S. Constitution

• Federal agencies, which are the engines of public policy and implementation that must deliver results

• State and local governments that deliver the benefits of citizenship to our everyday lives in the cities and states where we live

• We the People — whose collective consciousness and action must be activated toward everyone’s thriving

• The institutional leaders, decision makers, and capital allocators who hold disproportionate influence over how the nation governs

Across these arenas, we are working to awaken a shared consciousness that embraces the humanity of every person; to shape government to deliver results for all; and to align the full force of our public, private, and civic resources to realize this future.

To learn more about what we do and our mission visit our website.
About the PositionWhat You’ll Do

As theVice President, Growth, Strategy, and Donor Relations, you will serve as the chief architect of the donor experience during a transformative era for the organization. Joining a high-impact team with a$50 million annual budgetand a staff of70+ professionals, you will act as a chief architect of the donor experience, operating with the autonomy to drive strategy and align internal functions within a high-impact team. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you will be instrumental in orchestrating the strategy development and execution for our historic $1 billion, 10-year capital campaign.

This role requires a sophisticated leader who moves beyond functional management to provide high-level stakeholder coordination and the oversight of a donor advisory council. You will lead a dynamic portfolio of initiatives designed to deepen relationships with institutional, corporate, and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) partners, ensuring all internal pieces move in lockstep with our collective campaign goals. This role will be essential in managing complex priorities and transforming the practice of philanthropy into a powerful force for whole-system change.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Strategic Philanthropy and Campaign Management

• Drive the enterprise-wide engagement strategy to deepen multi-dimensional relationships with institutional, UHNW, and corporate partners.

• Orchestrate the strategic roadmap for the $1B, 10-year capital campaign, ensuring organizational readiness for the early 2027 launch.

• Co-lead the architecture of campaign infrastructure, including the design of donor recognition levels, gift societies, and long-term stewardship frameworks.

• Govern a strategic portfolio of principal relationships, ensuring long-term alignment with the organization’s growth and campaign objectives.

• Design high-level campaign readiness initiatives, including regional salons and leadership briefings, to cultivate and secure foundational lead investors.

• Conceptualize and oversee signature leadership gatherings that enhance organizational visibility and serve as catalysts for campaign momentum.

• Steward complex corporate and philanthropic partnerships, ensuring a rigorous match between investor goals and PolicyLink’s systemic change mission.

• Direct large-scale operational ecosystems, managing multi-million dollar budgets, donor stewardship strategy, and cross-departmental integration.

Engagement Infrastructure and Storytelling

• Create sophisticated, high-touch stewardship models for the organization’s most significant funders and campaign champions.

• Provide the strategic vision and executive oversight for PolicyLink events, donor experiences, and other external opportunities, positioning them as premier national platforms.

• Partner with Communications leadership to oversee the production of high-impact narratives and messaging that resonate with principal-level donors.

• Drive data-informed decision-making by collaborating with Development Operations to leverage CRM insights and engagement metrics.

• Equip and mobilize internal and external ambassadors, including the Board and Campaign Cabinet, through high-level training and capacity-building.

• Oversee the integration of digital storytelling and engagement tools to amplify donor impact and organizational reach.

Team Management and Organizational Integration

• Lead and mentor a high-performing Engagement & Events team, including staff and senior consultants, fostering a culture of "Love & Accountability."

• Synthesize outreach and engagement strategies across Institutional Partnerships and UHNW teams to ensure a unified enterprise approach.

• Serve as a key organizational representative in cross-functional planning related to public affairs, brand positioning, and external relations.

• Act as an independent strategic lead, managing one’s own priorities and moving all internal pieces to ensure the successful execution of the campaign vision.

Who You’ll Work With

You will report directly to theChief Development Officerand supervise a growingEngagement & Events team.

You will frequently collaborate with theInstitutional PartnershipsandCommunications teamsto ensure a consistent, inspired donor experience.

Required Skills and Experience

• 12-15 years of…