Associate Director, Major Gifts

International Crisis Group seeks an entrepreneurial, highly motivated frontline fundraiser to serve as its next Associate Director, Major Gifts. This is a tremendous opportunity to generate critical support for resolving some of the most deadly and intractable conflicts of our time.

Working closely with a highly experienced Development Team, the Associate Director, Major Gifts will cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors with the objective of increasing philanthropic results for Crisis Group. They will have exemplary relationship building skills, experience working with senior leadership and Board Members, and the ability to effectively engage various groups and constituencies. The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience in navigating complex organsations, and strong organisational, communication, and writing skills. The ability to project manage new and existing philanthropic initiatives and partnerships is also important, and is an exciting aspect of the role.

The successful candidate will be an intellectually curious, highly motivated, broad thinker who has demonstrated ability in securing major gifts. They will be a goal-oriented, team player who can work in a fast-paced environment and has an interest in foreign policy and geopolitics. This is a unique opportunity to join an exemplary global organisation and a team of dedicated development professionals who are deeply committed to advancing the mission of Crisis Group.

Responsibilities

Maintains a personal portfolio of major gift (≥$50,000-$499,999) donors and prospects, predominantly HNWIs and family foundations, moving each from identification through to gift closure.
Routinely engages current Crisis Group donors, senior volunteers and our impressive Board of Trustees in peer-to-prospect identification, visits, and solicitations.

Works collaboratively with the Development Operations Team to develop stewardship plans for assigned accounts, and event concepts to maximise donor and prospect engagement.
Leads cross-team, and occasionally cross-department, projects and initiatives, such as the creation of new giving circles and entry into new geographical markets, actively pursuing opportunities for creativity and innovation.
Takes a strategic approach to building long-term relationships and multi-year support, working closely with the program teams to craft unique proposals and propositions.

1-year Portfolio and Frontline Fundraising Goal

3 months: Develop cultivation and solicitation plans for all prospects in the Associate Director portfolio and make initial introductions to at least 75%.
6 months: Active cultivation is underway, with meaningful qualification, solicitation, and stewardship progress demonstrated.
9 months: Utilising relationships, identifying additional prospects for cultivation and solicitation in year two.
1 year: Significant solicitation activity and progress toward goal.

Qualifications include:

In addition to at least 5-10 years of fundraising experience, including experience with major gifts, the Associate Director will have international fundraising experience, and be a rigorous, highly productive, and entrepreneurial individual. They will ideally also possess the following skills and characteristics:

Highly sophisticated and enthusiastic relationship and network-builder that is diplomatic, analytical, trustworthy with personal and professional integrity;
Demonstrates comfort engaging with high-net-worth individuals in diverse philanthropic cultural contexts, and a track record of personal success in asking and closing five and six-figure gifts;
Strong metrics orientation and a willingness to set and achieve defined personal as well as team goals;
Experience working effectively with board members and senior volunteers;
Experience managing international prospects, prior experience with African, European, or Middle Eastern prospects a benefit, or an openness to learn the fundraising experience of other countries;
Able and willing to travel domestically (up to 4 trips per year) and internationally (1-2 trips per year). Most trips will be less than 5 days in duration;
A passion for the work of International Crisis Group and a desire to continually broaden and deepen the organization’s impact;
Superior oral and written presentation skills;
A working knowledge of fundraising software and tools;
Collaborative, inclusive, and team-driven.