Jobs

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 East Coast Major Gift Officer will lead the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts from individuals within New York, Maine, New England, North Carolina 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,

The Major Gift Officer for the East Coast is responsible for the oversight, coordination and strategy development for the solicitation of major gift prospects. This results-oriented and experienced development professional will work closely with the Deputy VP of Development, the VP of Development and high level volunteers including board members, and other members of the development team.

Expectations and Responsibilities:

* Manage a portfolio of approximately 100-250 Major Gift donors and prospects on the East Coast, focusing on prospects and donors at the $50,000 and above capacity level.
* Arrange for 12-15 personal visits with Major Gift donors and prospects each month.
* Expected to raise between $1 million to $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 fundraising efforts on the East Coast.
* 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 closing major gifts and ability to close six (and ideally seven) figure gifts
* Four years of major gifts fundraising required
* Extensive experience in working with volunteer leaders required * Conservation/environmental knowledge
* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
* Demonstrated successful supervisory experience
* Proven ability to be a collaborative team member; ability to work well within the development department, a regional office, with the leadership of the organization, and with donors.

Skills:

* Excellent interpersonal skills required to relate to donors, volunteers, and colleagues.
* Self-motivated with strong work ethic and able to work with considerable independence within the context of a team environment and network of relationships.
* Exceptional oral and written communications skills
* Ability to mentor and support other staff on team
* Strong organizational skills, attentive to detail, results-oriented and ability to handle deadlines and shifting priorities with good judgment
* Respect for confidentiality
* Must be able to travel frequently
* Ability to communicate with staff and volunteers at all levels of the organization
* Excellent computer skills, Word, Excel and Outlook. 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.

Please submit resume, cover letter and references to: twsrecruit@tws.org with 'Major Gifts Officer, East Coast' in the subject line. No phone calls please.