Director, Principal Gifts

Plan works for girls’ rights. Harmful barriers like child marriage, human trafficking and gender-based violence are preventing girls and young women from achieving their full potential. Plan, along with government and private partners, fights against harmful gender norms and empowers young people to create positive change in their communities. We have worked in communities for more than 80 years and provide locally-driven programming through 240 offices around the world.

Plan International USA is fully committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people from all forms of violence.

The Director of Principal Gifts, a key leader for Plan International USA, will build and set the direction for the principal gifts team and be responsible for generating new revenue for Plan USA. The position reports to the Chief Development Officer, serves as a member of the Philanthropy, Partnerships, Marketing, and Communications (PPMC) leadership team, and serves as a senior fundraiser and relationship manager for the organization.
 
The Director of Principal Gifts will grow and mobilize a team to provide philanthropic support for the Plan’s top priorities and campaign initiatives through a relationship-driven model of sustained fundraising. The position requires management experience of frontline development officers and the ability to hire and retain excellent staff, facilitate a healthy team-environment, supervise and inspire employees toward excellence, and lead by example.
 
As a front-line fundraiser, the Director of Principal Gifts plays a leadership role in shaping Plan’s engagement of donors and prospects with the capacity for six and seven figure gifts. This individual will be expected to personally raise principal gifts in support of the organization’s fundraising priorities and will carry a portfolio of donors with a total capacity of over $1M.
 
The Director will also provide vision and leadership of a comprehensive and well-integrated principal gifts fundraising program as part of Plan’s overall fundraising efforts. This position requires sound judgment and the ability to independently plan and accomplish goals. The successful candidate will be an inspiring leader and an effective advocate for the cause of children’s rights and girls’ rights around the world. 

Essential Functions:

Strategy development 

• Works closely with the Chief Development Officer on developing, managing, and executing our overall business development strategy that grows our network and creates a sustainable business model for our programs
• Oversees strategies to retain and grow Plan International USA’s mid and major-level individual donors using thorough prospect research, compelling solicitation opportunities, high level of accountability, and strategic moves management
• Collaborates with other members of the PPMC to encourage a culture of gratitude, ensuring that all Plan supporters are thanked, acknowledged, engaged, and inspired
• Stays current on all major program initiatives and maintain close ties to colleagues in other countries
• Collaborates with PPMC Leadership team to identify and cultivate partners that have an cross-cutting interest in the results that Plan creates
• Works closely with members of the Board of Directors, as well as all members of the Executive Team, Senior Leadership Team and their departments to achieve strategic goals for Plan International

 Fundraising

• Supports the fundraising and relationship management activities of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Development Officer, providing insight and counsel, and proactive management on targeted prospects
• Manages a select personal portfolio of high-capacity prospects/donors with the capacity to give at least $100,000
• Closely manages the use of the Prospect Pipeline, ensuring that prospects are appropriately logged, and then tracked through the steps of being qualified, assigned, solicited, closed, and stewarded
• Represents Plan International at networking functions to expand awareness of Plan’s mission and grow prospect pipeline
• Plays a key role in creating and executing our private giving partnerships with a deep understanding of relationship management and retention/upgrade strategies

Leadership

• Manages a team of Relationship Managers focused on identifying, qualifying, and securing first time, mid, and high-capacity donors/partners
• Establishes performance benchmarks, tracks progress, and conducts mid-year check-ins and annual performance appraisals with direct reports
• Builds on the tremendous strengths of the existing team while nurturing talent, identifying opportunities for professional growth, and providing a work environment that both challenges and rewards
• Assigns Relationship Management responsibilities as new donors are acquired and new prospects are identified

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with a wide variety of donors and stakeholders
• Excellent leader with proven track record of driving personal, team, and organizational revenue results
• Demonstrated track record of successfully securing six, and seven-figure gifts from individual donors
• Ability to think, respond, and adapt quickly to changes and challenges in the giving landscape
• Demonstrated ability to use data and analytics for strategy formulations and decision-making

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of fundraising experience OR equivalent experience
• Preferred 4 years’ experience leading and developing others
• Experience with setting and maintaining targets and budget forecasts
• Prior experience in international development strongly preferred

Other Duties:

This job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time.

Plan International USA offers a comprehensive total compensation package inclusive of health benefits, paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and retirement plan contributions. We take several factors into account when determining salary offers, including candidate qualifications and experience, and internal equity. The target range for this position is between $120,000 - $145.000 annually. 

Plan is an equal opportunity employer and follows all laws associated with the EEOC.