The Organization
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (CW) is America’s premier living history institution. Located at the birthplace of American democracy, CW provides historical interpretation, intellectual resources, archaeology and preservation and restoration for some of the country’s most important treasures and is a convener of conversations about how the nation’s past is prologue for its present and future.
As Colonial Williamsburg prepares to celebrate its centennial and the country celebrates its 250th birthday in 2026, the institution seeks a vice president and chief development officer to play a central role in securing philanthropic investment for the enterprise.
Colonial Williamsburg boasts the support of several of the nation’s most generous and thoughtful philanthropists. Raising in excess of $75 million per annum over the past several years, CW’s development program is mature and productive. Its new vice president and chief development officer will bring the program to the level of best practices and will utilize all of the tools of the modern fundraising operation in pursuit of considerably greater levels of philanthropic investment. Of particular import in this regard will be the opportunity to analyze a remarkable amount of data that CW gathers on its visitors and patrons, data that should lead to a significantly expanded prospect pool. Bringing these efforts together, the vice president and chief development officer will plan and execute a major campaign to coincide with the 2026 anniversaries.
Success in this endeavor requires a leader with significant and sophisticated knowledge and experience across the development enterprise. The vice president and chief development officer will demonstrate a track record as a leader of one or more enterprises of significant complexity demonstrating outstanding growth and transformation. A personal track record raising major or principal gifts is highly desirable, and experience at the leadership level of at least one major, ambitious campaign is required. Of greatest import is a leader who resonates with and can speak passionately on behalf of the mission and values of Colonial Williamsburg and its place in our nation’s history.
Position Overview
Colonial Williamsburg’s new vice president and chief development officer will play a seminal role in the preservation and advancement of one of our nation’s crown jewels.
Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. For formal consideration, applicants should submit a resume and cover letter in response to the opportunities and expectations described within this leadership profile to CWVPD@wittkieffer.com. For fullest consideration, application materials should be received by April 15, 2020. A detailed leadership profile is available at www.wittkieffer.com.
How To Apply
Material that must be mailed may be sent to:
Vice President for Development
Colonial Williamsburg
c/o WittKieffer
Attention: Dennis M. Barden, Melissa Fincher and Andrew Bowen
2015 Spring Road, Suite 510
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Confidential inquiries and questions may be directed to the WittKieffer consultants supporting this search at 630-575-6152.
Colonial Williamsburg is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons