Major Gifts Officer

Major Gifts Officer

Reporting to the Executive Vice President, Membership & Development, the Major Gifts Officer is responsible for the strategic identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual prospects with capacity at the $1,000-$25,000+ level. The position will manage a portfolio of prospects and work collaboratively across the organization to build on WABE’s fundraising success.

• Identify, cultivate and solicit major gift prospects in all phases of the fundraising cycle, with a focus on those with the potential capacity to make gifts of $1,000-$25,000 and above.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of prospects and maintain active efforts to evaluate prospects identified through fieldwork, screening, and research.
• Develop, execute, and lead strategies for involvement, cultivation, and solicitation of single and multi-interest donors.
• Clear and efficient use of language skills to learn qualification information and invite prospects into collaborative discussions.
• Manage a disciplined approach to confirming details of a proposal verbally with prospects by asking clarifying questions.
• Ensure that the giving conversation is grounded in the measurable and emotional impacts a gift/donor can have on a priority.
• Strategically utilize resources for cultivation and solicitation.
• Collaborate with higher-level WABE staff and effectively leverage other donor stories to illustrate the ways in which others partner with WABE.
• Demonstrate decisiveness and sound judgment to predict how a decision will affect individuals and groups in the organization and develop strategies to build support for the decision.
• Develop thoughtful stewardship plans for key donors; initiatives involve high-level impact reports, dedications, and special events.
• Maintain a focus on re-qualifying donors when they move from stewardship back into the donor engagement process.
• Absorb and assist with planning and/or executing cultivation events or programs.
• Maintain a robust knowledge of organization-wide funding priorities, and a general knowledge of program funding priorities.
• Assist leadership in the recognition and prioritization of institutional and departmental funding needs; keep abreast of organizational priorities, programs, personalities, and events.
• Facilitate collaboration among various functional or stakeholder groups.
• Maintain active communication with fellow development officers at WABE to coordinate prospect activity and to make and "take" referrals.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Three to six years fundraising experience, preferably in leadership annual giving or major gifts for an academic environment or public radio.
• Ability to understand the needs and interests of leadership and prospects to align those with WABE priorities.
• Interest in all aspects of public media and a dedication to promoting WABE’s fundraising priorities.
• Demonstrates a high probability of gift closure.
• Strong collaborative abilities and enthusiasm for working in teams.
• Considerable experience staffing major gift volunteers; campaign volunteer management preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple, complex fundraising activities simultaneously.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; demonstrates active listening.
• High level of creativity, initiative, and motivation.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality with respect to prospects and donors.

Desired Attributes and Traits:

• Collaborating with others: Ability to work collaboratively, formally and informally within one’s team and across the organization.
• Goal & Task Management: Prioritize and coordinate tasks with attention to deadlines, concurrent management of projects, and the ability to create and follow a set strategy for short and long-term goals and objectives.
• Curiosity & Information Seeking: Expresses an underlying curiosity in people and an ability to go beyond questions that are routine to gain an understanding of the individuals' capacity, affinity, and inclination.
• Decisiveness & Judgment: Uses sound judgment to make appropriate, timely decisions in complex situations for which there are no set procedures.
• Ability to influence: Ability to move or persuade others to act. Uses indirect influence.
• Flexibility: The ability to adapt to and work effectively with a variety of situations, and with various individuals. Adapts tactics appropriately.
• Dealing with Ambiguity: Makes decisions and acts with limited information. Anticipates impact of change and directs self and others in smoothly shifting gears.
• Expressing ideas orally and in writing: Ability to effectively and persuasively communicate ideas, thoughts, and facts orally and in writing.
• Listening: Is an "active listener". Establishes rapport with and is receptive to speaker. Notices underlying messages; "hears between the lines". Organizes rapport with and is receptive to speaker. Notices underlying messages; "hears between the lines". Organizes and coordinates information.
• Organizational Awareness: Ability to learn and understand organizational relationships and dynamics. Uses networks, alliances, and individuals to achieve objectives.
• Leadership: Ability to effectively manage and guide group efforts. Takes an active role in developing motivational strategies.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed.
• May require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods during the day.
• Reaching above shoulder height, below the waist, or lifting as required (up to 5 lbs.), filing documents or storing materials throughout the workday.
• Poor lifting techniques required.
• Ambient room temperatures, lighting, and traditional office equipment as found in a typical office environment.
• Candidates must be willing to work in a hybrid environment but provide their own transportation to the station.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support departmental events or during high-volume periods (membership campaigns).

AETC is an equal opportunity employer.