Major Gifts Officer

Department:                      Development

Reports to:                         Director of Development

Position type:                    Full Time/Exempt

Summary

An award-winning nonprofit book publisher located in NYC’s Wall Street area, The New Press has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and enthusiastic Major Gifts Officer to join our organization. An immediate, full-time position reporting to the Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer will be part of a four-person development team responsible for $3 million in annual philanthropic support by developing and managing a portfolio of high net worth donors; overseeing strategic interactions to strengthen major donor relationships; maximizing donor lifetime value; and contributing to the growth and financial sustainability of The New Press.

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer is responsible for:

• Fundraising Leadership: serve as a front-line fundraiser in making major giving asks, both independently and in close collaboration with cross-departmental colleagues, the Executive Director, Board Members, etc.
• Planning, Execution: establish an annual cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plan for retaining and upgrading donors with clear performance objectives linked to The New Press’s broader fundraising goals.
• Cultivation, Solicitation: build relationships with a diverse portfolio of individual donors, soliciting five-figure contributions and, as appropriate, planned giving commitments.
• Stewardship: engage, update, and celebrate donor involvement through tailored interactions to strengthen relationships, ensure annual commitments, and identify new giving opportunities.
• Liaising with Board of Directors: work closely with Board members in cultivating and soliciting donors; strengthen the Board’s role as partners with development through trainings to enhance fundraising efforts.

• Prospect Research and Outreach: work with the Development Associate to research donor prospects, qualify leads, and identify pathways for engaging and expanding The New Press’s major giving network.

• Tracking Information and Results: ensure donor interactions and prospect information (from research and cultivation) is properly captured as actionable institutional history in the organization’s database.
• Events Management: lead in developing and managing intimate donor cultivation events; manage donor outreach and invite lists; develop program content; and execute post-event cultivation strategies.
• Annual Benefit Gala: lead in planning, executing, and capitalizing on the annual Social Justice Awards gala.
• Writing, Editing, Presenting: producing outreach and presentation materials to support fundraising efforts: e.g., meeting and event briefings, activity reports, solicitation letters, proposals, and stewardship reports.
• Fundraising Operations: collaborate with the Development Associate in optimizing gift processing, donor recognition, acknowledgements, and gift administration tasks as needed.
• Learning: attend fundraising seminars and trainings that are relevant to the role’s responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Three to four years of major giving experience that clearly demonstrates the skillset, ability and comfort building authentic relationships while asking for meaningful donations.
• A track record of success in raising five- and six-figure individual gifts from high net worth donors.
• Excellent communication skills, articulate and persuasive, with well-honed relationship building skills and the ability to excite anyone about our mission and provide unique experiences for supporters.
• People-oriented with a natural and innate desire to connect and build relationships.
• A team-orientation, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to striving for excellence.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with presence and poise in representing the organization to a range of audiences and constituents.
• Available to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and travel as needed.

• A demonstrated commitment to social justice and a passion for our mission that invigorates and excites everyone with whom you share it.
• Proven capacity to apply independent judgement in planning, prioritizing, and organizing multiple tasks in a diversified workload; comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility, and ability to navigate participating in different team environments.
• Discretion and sensitivity in handling and safeguarding confidential information.
• Bachelors degree preferred.

Travel Required

• Periodic travel to cities with critical mass of donors (DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, etc.).

How to Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@thenewpress.com; reference “Major Gifts Officer: Your Name” in the subject line; and include your preferred salary range. No phone calls, please. A writing sample will be required for candidates offered an interview. Submissions without thoughtful cover letters will not be considered.

The New Press offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

The New Press is affiliated with the Technical, Office and Professional (TOP) Union, Local 2110 UAW, AFL-CIO; this position is not covered in the bargaining unit.

EEO Statement

The New Press is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The New Press will not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, economic status, religion, creed, sexual orientation, disability, Union activity, marital and/or parental status, citizenship, national origin or alienage, ancestry, genetic information, size, age, military or veteran status, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.