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THE ORGANIZATION

Founded in 1942, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has spent more than 80 years standing with people in their most difficult moments. A national leader in mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services, Didi Hirsch is paving the way in whole-person care. As the home of the nation’s first and most comprehensive Suicide Prevention Center and one of the largest 988 crisis centers, Didi Hirsch has been shaping the landscape of suicide prevention through innovative modalities and high-quality crisis care. Today, Didi Hirsch is a $90 million agency serving more than 270,000 people each year. Didi Hirsch is powered by more than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers who provide thoughtful, culturally responsive care across nine locations. From early childhood through older adulthood, the organization offers integrated mental health and substance use services designed to meet people where they are. With a strong focus on youth mental health, Didi Hirsch operates Teen Line, a nationally recognized peer-to-peer crisis line, Our Third Place, a youth wellness center, and partners with schools, youth-serving organizations, and families to support young people at risk. Through community-based services, outpatient care, crisis services, and round-the-clock residential programs, Didi Hirsch continues its mission to help people heal, find hope, and thrive. To learn more about Didi Hirsch and its programs, please visit https://didihirsch.org/. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Vice President of Development and Communications provides visionary leadership to advance Didi Hirsch’s philanthropic goals of raising $5M+ annually. Leading a department of 15, the Vice President will lead a comprehensive development plan including major and planned giving, institutional partnerships, and high-impact special events. Simultaneously, the Vice President will drive an integrated marketing and communications strategy to elevate Didi Hirsch’s national profile, strengthen its brand, and advance the vital work of reducing stigma around mental health, suicide, and substance use. This role will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, Executive Team, and Board of Directors, driving both short-term results and long-term sustainability.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Leadership & Management 

• Partners with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Executive Team to set and execute development and communications strategies that strengthen financial sustainability and organizational reputation.
• Attends all Board meetings and provides strategic fundraising updates and insights. 
• In partnership with the Committee Chair, leads the Development and Communications Board Committee.
• Serves on the Executive Team to align fundraising and communications with programmatic, financial, and operational priorities.
• Builds and sustains a high-performing, collaborative team through recruitment, performance management, coaching, professional development, and succession planning.
• Maintains current knowledge of best practices in fundraising and marketing within the nonprofit and mental health sectors.

Fundraising Strategy 

• Takes primary responsibility for the $5M+ annual private revenue goal, developing the tactical roadmap to secure and scale support. 
• Personally manages a high-level portfolio of 200 principal gift prospects; identifies, cultivates, and solicits six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals and institutions. 
• Oversees a diverse fundraising program including major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, and develops a planned giving program.
• Ensures a stewardship experience where donors receive timely acknowledgments and updates on agency impact. 
• Oversees a team that manages agency events, including cultivation events, Suicide Prevention 5K Walk/Run, Open Houses, and other gatherings, managing committees, contractors, and logistics.

Communications & Marketing 

• Serves as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive team on messaging, position, and external relations. 
• Provides strategic guidance for brand awareness, thought leadership and revenue generation for programs (including client recruitment and donor pipeline development).
• Shapes the organizational narrative through mission-driven content that translates clinical successes into powerful philanthropic messages. 
• Oversees department responsible for digital communication strategy, including website, email, and social media to drive engagement, awareness, and donor conversion. 

Operations, Budgeting & Analytics

• Develops and manages the department’s budget, ensuring fiscal accountability and alignment with organizational goals.
• Partners with development operations to generate and analyze fundraising reports, assess donor trends, and recommend strategic adjustments.
• Ensures policies and procedures are maintained to support sophisticated pipeline management and donor tracking. 

TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS

The Vice President of Development and Communications will be an empathic leader who can authentically champion Didi Hirsch’s mission. They must embody and promote the agency’s vision of providing compassionate mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services to individuals and families, especially in communities where discrimination and injustice have limited access to care. 

Top candidates will be innovative development leaders with a track record of executing forward-thinking growth strategies across major gifts, campaigns, annual giving, special events, planned giving, and foundation relations. They will have considerable experience in designing, presenting, and negotiating high-level gift arrangements, including significant individual and institutional gifts from foundations, corporations, and government funding. As strategic communications and marketing plans can support the business objectives and fiscal sustainability of the agency, exceptional verbal and written communications skills are essential. 

This role requires a results-oriented leader with strong management abilities and the skill to execute multiple complex projects under deadlines without sacrificing quality. The ideal candidate will be a master storyteller, capable of influencing outcomes through active listening and fostering collaborative relationships across all organizational levels. They must lead with transparency, maintain high expectations for their team, and foster a culture of creativity, focus, and follow-through. 

CAREER PATH LEADING TO THIS POSITION

Leading candidates will have a proven record of raising significant support and proven success with major gifts, annual and monthly giving, planned giving, corporate giving, foundation grants, special events, capital campaigns, and other campaigns. A track record of personally securing six- and seven-figure gifts is essential. Knowledge of best practices and trends in healthcare, advocacy, data-driven marketing, brand management, and public relations is preferred. Candidates should have a proven record of success in leadership positions that plan and operate strategically, build public support, strengthen infrastructure, and inspire staff and Board members. Candidates with experience in healthcare, education, human services, social justice, or other pertinent environments would be ideal.

EDUCATION 

An advanced degree in a related field is preferred. However, a demonstrated history of success in a senior leadership position within a complex human service organization recognized for exemplary service to the community will be considered equivalent. 

COMPENSATION

Annual salary is $214,725-246,934 based on experience. A comprehensive benefits package will be provided.

This is a hybrid position. The Vice President of Development & Communication is expected to be available for frequent in-person meetings including evenings and weekends with donors, board members, donors, and community members.