Senior Major Gifts Officer

Senior Major Gifts Officer
Development Department
Union of Concerned Scientists
Remote/Hybrid – Located in the southern California region
Bargaining Unit Position: Yes

Our organization
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting misinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include:

• Science in the service of people and the planet.
• Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations.
• Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena.
• Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly.
• Democracy promotes a voice for all in government decisions.
• Action inspires and mobilizes people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.

Our fundraising department is seeking a Senior Major Gifts Officer (SMGO) to be part of a thirty-five-person development team responsible for raising the organization’s entire budget—nearly $60 million each year. This individual will join a nine-person Major Gifts team, which raises more than $10 million+ annually. Reporting to an Associate Director of Major Gifts and working collaboratively with the entire team, the SMGO will be responsible for managing a portfolio of donors and prospects in their assigned territory, which primarily includes southern California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Rocky Mountain states.

Responsibilities
• Carry out front-line relationship management of donors and prospects in the assigned portfolio. Responsible for advancing the major gifts portfolio with approximately 75-125 active donors and prospects; retaining and upgrading existing donors; identifying and qualifying new major gift prospects; and generating revenue in the assigned region(s).
• Move donors and prospects through the stages of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship in a strategic and efficient manner. Develop and execute individual strategies for each assigned donor/prospect.
• Meet or exceed individual metrics for portfolio engagement, 100 meaningful connections (including 60+ in-person meetings), and 200 personalized contacts annually.
• Schedule, script, and lead donor and prospect interactions (in person, video, phone, and email); guide and direct president, staff, and board in cultivation and solicitation activity.

• Produce high-quality, resonant donor communications, including proposals and reports for donors and family foundations, as needed.
• Develop and maintain familiarity with all UCS program areas and organizational priorities per annual strategic workplans and five-year strategic plan; stay current about significant developments in our issue areas.
• Actively contribute to team priorities, such as enhancing and improving systems, and collaborate with colleagues in Membership, Planned Giving, Foundation Relations, Engagement & Events, Gift & Data Processing, and others as needed.

Qualifications and Experience
• Five to seven years of comparable and relevant development experience, with at least 5 years in major/leadership giving with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Demonstrated success in front-line major gifts work: closing five- and six-figure gifts, utilizing moves management, writing effective and compelling proposals/reports, experience with donor tracking systems, and working with board members and/or leadership-level volunteers.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective external and internal relationships and juggle multiple priorities.
• Support organizational journey and commitment to advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and experience with donor databases (Raiser’s Edge a plus).

May spend extended periods at a computer. Must be able to travel nationally, including overnight trips, for up to 30% of the time.

Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

UCS is an equal-opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. We’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities.

Details: This is a full-time remote position based near UCS’s Oakland, CA office or elsewhere on the West Coast, with candidates located in the southern California area strongly preferred. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary range is $101,931 to $114,670. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. *CA Resident Only, we offer a 12% salary differential*

UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.

More about the department: Our department is made up of a dedicated group of front-line fundraisers and data-savvy development professionals who collectively raise the organization’s budget each year. We come from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment that is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

To apply: We know there are great candidates who won’t check all these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Covid mandate for new hires: For roles requiring in-person work (including this one), UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely.

All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.

Deadline: Until filled.