Major Gifts Director

Japan Society is recruiting for a full-time Major Gifts Director. You will join the Development team in New York and build out a new role and create new opportunities in one of NY’s most most dynamic Arts, Culture, and Business spaces. As a front-line fundraiser, you will be responsible for identifying, through research in the US-Japan space and from within our constituency, prospective supporters who can give $25K+ gifts to the Society. This is a unique opportunity for a New York-based fundraiser, as you will create and implement from the ground up. As well, you will join a high-functioning, remarkably committed and caring team who raise over $5M annually in support of award-winning programs that build bridges to the US-Japan community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following.

Reporting to the VP, Development, you will:

• Manage relationships with 150+ prospects comprising first time, annual and major gift rated individuals.
• Meet with at least 10-15 individuals monthly and solicit at least half on a regular basis to achieve an agreed upon Year-1 fundraising goal.
• Qualify and engage members/donors with a goal of soliciting major, planned, and annual fund/membership renewal gifts.
• Take member-level supporters, qualify and engage them through the development pipeline with a goal of securing a major gift.
• Work with established prospects, through the Director of Development Operations, in addition to discovering and qualifying new major gift prospects.
• Align portfolio members with interests (ie, Gallery, Performing Arts, Film, Language, Education) and drive/engage relationships through cultivation activities and events that bridge the donor’s interests to the program areas.
• Consult with and work closely with each development team member: foundations, corporate, operations, gift processing and events.
• As a results-oriented and knowledgeable professional, you will develop and execute an annual plan of engagement activities/events/mailings/communiques for each prospect, including qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. You will have the support of the President and Board to achieve success.
• Evening and weekend work sometimes required, along with the ability to work flexibly/remotely as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Interest in the US-Japan space; art, culture and business.
• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years’ fundraising experience
• Willingness to travel locally in the tri-state area
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Good judgment and strong relationship building skills •
• Results oriented, proactive style
• Willingness to engage remote relationships using virtual platforms
• Access to internet service and ability to work remotely as needed
• Computer competencies

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Experience working in complex organizations and with creative personalities •
• Experience in higher education and/or the arts helpful
• Driver’s license
• Knowledge of Japanese language helpful, but not necessary.