Director of Major Gifts, Rocky Mountain Region

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

The Wilderness Society, a national nonprofit membership organization devoted to preserving wilderness and wildlife, seeks a creative and skilled Major Gifts Officer to join its Development team. The position is fast-paced and challenging and offers a wealth of opportunity to the right individual to exercise leadership, experience and creativity.

The major gifts program includes three other Major Gift Officers, in Washington, California, and Washington, DC. Support staff includes a Development Coordinator and two prospect research staff. Additionally, the Development Department includes two operations staff, four foundation relations staff and three planned giving staff members.

The Rocky Mountain Central Major Gift Officer will lead the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts from individuals within Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and other states as assigned.  Support of some of the fundraising efforts for the Governing Council members who reside in this region will also be a significant part of the duties of this position.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of between 120 – 150 Major Gift donors and prospects in the Montana/Wyoming/ Colorado/ New Mexico  region focusing on prospects and donors at the $10,000 and above capacity level.
• Arrange for 12-15 personal visits with Major Gift donors and prospects each month.
• Expected to raise between $1.0 million and $3 million annually; staff at least 4-6 cultivation events each year.
• Set fundraising goals and plans supporting them, to include significant upgrades and new prospect strategies. 
• Work with the Deputy VP and VP for Development, the President, the Governing Council and the rest of the major gifts team to implement annual and aspirational fundraising goals.
• Engage volunteer leaders, including members of the Governing Council in our fundraising efforts in the Rocky Mountain region
• Achieve competence using Team Approach to track relationships and contacts in support of the fundraising strategies within his/her portfolio
• Work with the Advocates program as needed to support strategies for building the $1000 donor pool.
• Travels frequently – locally, regionally, and nationally for donor visits and events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Proven track record in major gifts fundraising
• Six years of major gifts fundraising required
• Evidence of increasing major gifts fundraising experience and ability to close six and seven figure gifts
• Extensive experience in working with volunteer leaders required
• Conservation knowledge preferred coupled with deep knowledge of funding sources with the MT/WY/CO/NM region
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Proven ability to be collaborative team member who work well both within the department, with the leadership of the organization, and with our funders

Skills

• Excellent attention to detail
• Exceptional oral and written communications
• Strong problem-solving skills
• High degree of organization and initiative
• Ability to handle deadlines and shifting priorities with good judgment
• Complete respect for confidentiality
• Strong team player
• Ability to communicate with staff and volunteers at all levels of the organization
• Excellent computer skills, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint as well as some skill and understanding of donor data bases.
   

The Wilderness Society offers a very competitive salary and benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; sick and vacation leave; and a pension plan.  TWS is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees and constituents regardless of culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, or sexual orientation.

Please submit resume, cover letter and references to: twsrecruit@tws.org with ‘Director of Major Gifts, Rocky Mountain Region’ in the subject line. No phone calls please.

**The incumbent of this position will work in either our Bozeman, MT or Denver, CO office. Please indicate preference in your cover letter.