Senior Philanthropy Officer

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

 

Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Philanthropy, the Senior Philanthropy Officer’s primary responsibility is securing significant financial resources to achieve regional and organizational revenue goals. In concert with a growing west coast team, the Senior Philanthropy Officer is responsible for integrating fundraising goals into program work plans. This position plays a key role in supporting the President, Vice President, Philanthropy, and the Senior Director, Philanthropy in all phases of philanthropic development – identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewarding - of current and prospective donors of significant gifts to TWS. Responsibilities includes management of a portfolio of donors at major gift ($100k over 3 years) through principal gift level ($1M+), active engagement in the development of a comprehensive conservation campaign, and other major institutional strategic planning and resource development initiatives. This position will be directly engaged in the management development and growth of a balanced major donor portfolio of east coast prospects and donors.

This position will be located in San Francisco, CA.

• Formulates strategic plans for the west coast region prospects and donors which integrate annual giving and campaign financial goals, programmatic objectives, and donor activity. Evaluates strategies regularly and adjusts as needed to achieve goals. 
• Makes recommendations to President, key volunteers, Vice President, Philanthropy, and Senior Director, Philanthropy and other staff for cultivation and solicitation visits to major donors and prospects and accompanies them, as needed. Makes regular visits to principal, major, and planned giving donors/prospects to cultivate their interest in TWS and solicit gifts. Manages a personal portfolio of 75+ donors and prospects for solicitation. 
• Directs and oversees formal volunteer committees and activities to maximize fundraising effectiveness in priority regions. Creates and coordinates with strategic event plan for region.  Works with Vice President, Philanthropy, Senior Director, Philanthropy, and Director, Volunteer Engagement to develop an engagement plan for Governing and President Council members in the West Coast Region.
• In tandem with the Senior Director, Philanthropy, prepares progress reports on status of major gifts and activity of donor portfolio.  Provides analysis of progress to date, performance measures for major gifts suggested strategy for ongoing success, and projections for completion of revenue goals.
• Directs and oversees programs and processes to effectively engage a broad range of program staff in strategic fundraising with individual prospects.  Creates meeting structures and communications tools to engage program staff in all major program areas in the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gifts.  In concert with the San Francisco office, sets fundraising goals and plans supporting them, within the context of a comprehensive conservation campaign.
• Plays an integral role in departmental planning and strategy development for the eventual capital campaign.  Sets goals and objectives to secure outright and planned commitments to achieve campaign fundraising goals for the region. Oversees and directs execution of strategies to identify prospects, develop strategies for cultivation and solicitation of new prospects and donors for the campaign, and provides strategic stewardship to ensure continued philanthropic advancement in the region, post-campaign.
• Tracks relationships and contacts in support of the fundraising strategies within assigned portfolio.
• Works closely with management and staff to develop solicitation strategies and cultivate prospects for major gifts throughout the West Coast Region. 
• Develops and maintains regular contact with select Governing Council and President’s Council members, principal and major gift donors and prospects, and key volunteers; with professional peers, and other experts in the field of philanthropy and institutional advancement.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Experience, Competencies, and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing or a related discipline.
• A minimum of seven years’ experience in major gift fundraising.
• Proven track record of successfully closing major gifts; ability to close six figure gifts.
• Ability to communicate with staff and volunteers at all levels of the organization. Extensive experience working with volunteer leaders.
• Proven ability to be a collaborative team member; ability to work well within a team, a regional office, with the leadership of the organization, and with donors.
• Excellent interpersonal skills required to relate to donors, volunteers, and colleagues.
• Strong organizational skills, attentive to detail, results-oriented and ability to handle deadlines and shifting priorities with good judgment.
• Demonstrated strong management skills with the ability to mentor and motivate staff, to provide leadership and to build an effective, successful team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and a familiarity with donor databases. 
  

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.