New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS), a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the preservation of wildlife and the natural environment, is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as Director of Major and Planned Gifts. This position is an outstanding career opportunity for a passionate development professional to embrace the Society's mission, develop and manage a diverse portfolio of prospects, and build a robust major gift and planned giving program into a core component of the society's philanthropic activity to advance the society's conservation, research and environmental education initiatives.

The Director of Major and Planned Gifts will work out of the society's headquarters facility located in Bernardsville, NJ. Duties include strategic and operational planning, prospect management, donor cultivation, solicitation, and coordinating with other NJAS staff and volunteers to sustain and increase overall fund raising effectiveness in the areas of major and planned giving. The position requires the willingness and ability to travel statewide as needed and willing to occasionally work some evenings and weekends when necessary.

Major Responsibilities:

·Develops and builds a major gifts program from a strong membership base. Manages staff and board personnel involved in all aspects of identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gift and planned giving prospects.
·Responsible for developing both long and short-range operational plans to strengthen and grow the major gifts and planned giving programs.
·Develops and executes a plan for marketing NJAS as a worthy beneficiary of legacy gifts and identifies prospects for planned giving.
·Assists in the creation of a Planned Giving Advisory Committee and works to promote the Society's Charitable Gift Annuity Program and other planned giving strategies. Creates CGA illustrations and contracts for prospective donors.
·Works closely with the Development Associate for annual giving and membership programs, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, other development staff and key programmatic staff to plan targeted outreach activities aimed at increasing the donor pool and cultivating/stewarding existing prospects.
·As one of the senior managers in the Development Office, works closely with the Vice President for Development in responding to strategic institutional priorities by planning, setting, and monitoring annual goals aimed at supporting those priorities.
·Cultivates, solicits and stewards prospects through personal visits and written and oral communications.
·Plans and implements "moves management" strategies for identification, cultivation, timely solicitation and stewardship of prospects at the $1,000+ level to increase their level of support; develops solicitation priorities and donor/prospect visitation schedules for the President, staff and volunteer board members. Accompanies the President and/or key individuals on donor visits where appropriate.
·Provides strategies, briefing materials, written proposals and acknowledgements for the President, Vice President for Development and members of the NJAS Board of Directors and accompanies them as appropriate on development-related travel.
·Provides staff support when appropriate for committees that are active in capital and endowment fund raising. Trains and oversees interaction with these volunteers.
·Participates in development outreach activities as appropriate.
·Serves as a member of the NJAS Board Development Committee

Minimum Qualifications:

Over five years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, with experience working with major giving and planned giving programs. A demonstrable track record of fund-raising accomplishments is essential, including experience in building a major gifts program into a core component of philanthropic activity. Must have experience closing major and planned gifts from individuals, a working knowledge of all planned giving vehicles including Charitable Gift Annuity Programs is essential. College degree highly preferred.

Knowledge/Skills:

Strong written and oral communication skills. Effective time-management skills. Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work successfully with colleagues, donors, administrators, and volunteers. Must be a facilitator with excellent management skills and results-oriented. Highly developed ability to work independently within a strong teamwork philosophy as well as collaboratively with colleagues to achieve common goals.

Strong computer skills and a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Raiser's Edge database experience preferred. Detail oriented with respect to planning, file analysis and record keeping is essential. Skilled in prospect management and prospect research.

Informed and committed to the role that environmental education, conservation and research plays in our society today and its importance for the future. Comfortable working in a dynamic environment; adaptable to change. Flexible in working hours, ability and willingness to travel statewide. Confident, professional, energetic, enthusiastic, self-motivated, and absolutely ethical. A "people person" who is genuinely interested in others and an active listener. Knowledgeable about a broad range of interests and having the ability to comfortably converse on many subjects.

Starting date: Fall 2009
Application Deadline: Position will be posted until filled.
Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.
Location: Bernardsville, New Jersey

Qualified individuals may apply by sending a cover letter, resume, and salary history to: John Carno, Vice President for Development, New Jersey Audubon Society, 9 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924. New Jersey Audubon Society is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact Information: