Senior Development Officer, Foundation Relations
- Employer
- Wildlife Conservation Society
- Location
- New York, United States
- Salary
- Salary Not specified
- Closing date
- Mar 24, 2021
View more
- Position Type
- Fundraising, Corporate and Foundation Relations
- Fields
- Animal Protection, Environment
- Employment Type
- Full Time
About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS):
WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.
The Opportunity:
You are a strategic thinker and communicator, with leadership experience and skill in building and stewarding relationships, developing philanthropic opportunities, and creating compelling proposals and written materials. You will manage a portfolio of private foundation donors with significant giving potential to support WCS’s programs globally and in New York City, with an emphasis on securing six-figure gifts and above. You will play a key role as part of a five-person foundations team responsible for securing private foundation funding of $35 million plus per annum with the goal to grow to $45 million or more annually over the next five years. You accept responsibility for achieving assigned goals and aspire to exceed those goals. You will report to the Senior Director of Foundation Relations and work within a team of 13 dedicated to securing and stewarding institutional donors for WCS reporting to the VP of Institutional Advancement.
Responsibilities:
Your responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
Skillfully managing a portfolio of 50+ donors with significant giving potential valued at approximately $5 million annually, in coordination with executive and program staff, and increase upside of the donor portfolio by accessing new revenue from current donors and prospects both in the United States and abroad that can provide support for WCS’s global and domestic programs. This includes:
Developing and implementing strategic donor cultivation plans designed to build key institutional relationships, increase engagement, and lead to highest-level giving.
Preparing high quality proposals, reports, grant acknowledgments, and other communications to donors (including effective collaboration with Grants Development and Stewardship team).
Participating in donor meetings and preparing strategic briefings and other materials for donor meetings.
Overseeing and contributing to accurate donor and revenue information in SalesForce database.
Contributing to budget forecasting and projections on a regular basis.
Maintaining strong knowledge of WCS to effectively represent, through both written and oral communications, a wide array of local, regional, national, and global programs to inspire donors to support WCS.
Assisting the Sr. Director and other team members with internal donor and strategy-related communications, at times liaising directly with members of the Executive Team to fulfill requests or share information.
Using sound judgment and input from program staff and Development leadership to cultivate and steward donors and make a wide range of independent and collaborative decisions.
Working effectively with staff in all departments across WCS’s global organization.
Staffing tours, events, and other special projects, as necessary.
Minimum Qualifications:
- BS/BA degree from an accredited college or university.
- A minimum of five years of successful experience in fundraising, including a strong track record of securing and managing large gifts from foundations.
- Demonstrated strategic thinking and planning skills.
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent listening and interpersonal skills.
- Strong project management skills, including the ability to work effectively across an organization; experience with geographically-dispersed colleagues strongly preferred.
- Proven ability to work both as a team player and independently, and as a self-starter; experience in a fast-paced fundraising environment managing multiple projects and deadlines required.
- Computer skills; SalesForce or other donor software experience strongly preferred.
- Commitment to WCS’s mission; work or educational experience in environmental issues is preferred, though not required.
Workplace Conditions and Environment:
- Some evenings, weekends and holiday work will be required.
- Travel to multiple locations in the New York City area will be required.
- Occasional travel out of state may be required (1-4 trips per year).
WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. EOE/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled
To apply please go to our careers page at
About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS):
WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.
The Opportunity:
You are a strategic thinker and communicator, with leadership experience and skill in building and stewarding relationships, developing philanthropic opportunities, and creating compelling proposals and written materials. You will manage a portfolio of private foundation donors with significant giving potential to support WCS’s programs globally and in New York City, with an emphasis on securing six-figure gifts and above. You will play a key role as part of a five-person foundations team responsible for securing private foundation funding of $35 million plus per annum with the goal to grow to $45 million or more annually over the next five years. You accept responsibility for achieving assigned goals and aspire to exceed those goals. You will report to the Senior Director of Foundation Relations and work within a team of 13 dedicated to securing and stewarding institutional donors for WCS reporting to the VP of Institutional Advancement.
Responsibilities:
Your responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
Skillfully managing a portfolio of 50+ donors with significant giving potential valued at approximately $5 million annually, in coordination with executive and program staff, and increase upside of the donor portfolio by accessing new revenue from current donors and prospects both in the United States and abroad that can provide support for WCS’s global and domestic programs. This includes:
Developing and implementing strategic donor cultivation plans designed to build key institutional relationships, increase engagement, and lead to highest-level giving.
Preparing high quality proposals, reports, grant acknowledgments, and other communications to donors (including effective collaboration with Grants Development and Stewardship team).
Participating in donor meetings and preparing strategic briefings and other materials for donor meetings.
Overseeing and contributing to accurate donor and revenue information in SalesForce database.
Contributing to budget forecasting and projections on a regular basis.
Maintaining strong knowledge of WCS to effectively represent, through both written and oral communications, a wide array of local, regional, national, and global programs to inspire donors to support WCS.
Assisting the Sr. Director and other team members with internal donor and strategy-related communications, at times liaising directly with members of the Executive Team to fulfill requests or share information.
Using sound judgment and input from program staff and Development leadership to cultivate and steward donors and make a wide range of independent and collaborative decisions.
Working effectively with staff in all departments across WCS’s global organization.
Staffing tours, events, and other special projects, as necessary.
Minimum Qualifications:
- BS/BA degree from an accredited college or university.
- A minimum of five years of successful experience in fundraising, including a strong track record of securing and managing large gifts from foundations.
- Demonstrated strategic thinking and planning skills.
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent listening and interpersonal skills.
- Strong project management skills, including the ability to work effectively across an organization; experience with geographically-dispersed colleagues strongly preferred.
- Proven ability to work both as a team player and independently, and as a self-starter; experience in a fast-paced fundraising environment managing multiple projects and deadlines required.
- Computer skills; SalesForce or other donor software experience strongly preferred.
- Commitment to WCS’s mission; work or educational experience in environmental issues is preferred, though not required.
Workplace Conditions and Environment:
- Some evenings, weekends and holiday work will be required.
- Travel to multiple locations in the New York City area will be required.
- Occasional travel out of state may be required (1-4 trips per year).
WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. EOE/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled
Please apply on our website at : https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25965&siteid=5168#jobDetails=582473_5168
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