Senior Development Officer, Special Events

About the Role

The SPCA of Texas is seeking a highly organized full-time Senior Development Officer, Special Events. Reporting to the VP of Development, this position serves in a leadership role both externally and internally. In close partnership with the VP of Development, this role is responsible for crafting, managing, and executing the organization's major giving and leadership volunteer relationships for signature events, including the annual Fur Ball gala, Paws Cause, Strut Your Mutt, and supporting events such as cocktail receptions, patron parties, and underwriting letter signing events.

The Senior Development Officer focuses on developing major donor, sponsorship, and volunteer relationships that welcome people to the SPCA's mission through exciting and compelling events and activities. This role is supported by SPCA event planning and communication staff, contractors, and vendors, allowing the Senior Development Officer to concentrate on fundraising relationships. Successful candidates will be collaborative, have a growth mindset, demonstrate integrity in all donor communications, and balance strategic thinking with building meaningful and transformative relationships on behalf of the SPCA of Texas.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain knowledge about the importance and impact of animal welfare policies and programs locally and nationally, speaking compellingly and urgently about the SPCA of Texas' mission and work
• Identify, recruit, and work alongside high-profile civic and community leaders/volunteers to support and execute the SPCA of Texas' mission and signature events
• Maintain, strengthen, and build the SPCA's portfolio of signature fundraising events, ensuring donors, sponsors, and volunteers have meaningful and powerful experiences that connect them personally to the SPCA's mission
• Manage a portfolio of high net worth major donors, sponsors, and volunteers, with specific solicitation and revenue goals
• Develop and maintain donor cultivation plans, incorporating a moves management structure, donor motivation, and donor readiness frameworks
• Collaborate with the entire development team to ensure consistent donor experiences across all levels of giving
• Support a culture of collaboration, learning, mutual support, and respect
• Support highly engaged advisory committees as needed

Qualifications

• 5+ years of major gift fundraising and campaign experience
• Comfort interacting with high net-worth individuals and families
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must demonstrate the Core Values of the SPCA of Texas and the development team both on and off the job

Skills & Abilities

• Static Strength: ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects up to 40 pounds
• Judgment and Decision Making: ability to consider relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Oral and Written Expression: ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand
• Monitoring: ability to monitor and assess performance of self, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action
• Emotional and Mental Requirements: ability to work effectively under stressful conditions and rapidly process information

Benefits

• Generous PTO and benefits package, including domestic partner benefits
• Flexible work hours and schedule
• Tuition reimbursement
• Pet-friendly office
• Employee recognition program

Schedule

Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, with occasional event hours required. A minimum of four days a week in the office provides the ideal combination of in-person collaboration and career development opportunities while still offering flexibility and work-life balance. The individual performing this job may be required to work more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week.