Africa Principal Gifts Officer

The Nature Conservancy•Georgia Center, VT

9d•$102,300 - $182,495•Hybrid

About The Position

The Africa Principal Gifts Officer (PGO) is responsible for developing and implementing fundraising strategies to secure philanthropic support for Africa and other organizational conservation priorities from a select portfolio of individuals and foundations capable of making gifts of $5 million or more. Reporting to the Director of Development for Africa, the PGO leads and participates in complex donor strategy teams, oversees donor giving groups, drives strategic discovery efforts to identify new principal gift prospects, and helps ensure a strong pipeline of transformational donors. The PGO collaborates closely with fundraising colleagues across TNC, as well as leaders within the Africa team and conservation programs throughout the organization, to advance shared fundraising and conservation goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience.
Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with individual principal gift donors.
Demonstrated experience and a track record of successfully asking for and closing gifts of $1,000,000 or more.
Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
Experience working with fundraising principles and practices.
Experience, coursework or other training in current and evolving trends in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts and planned giving.
Valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Nice To Haves

Foundation and corporate fundraising experience also of value.
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
Ability to design and direct fundraising initiatives, including individualized cultivation, solicitation and recognition strategies.
Ability to determine an individual’s interests, capacity and potential for helping the Conservancy meet its goals, and to act appropriately to tie those interests with the Conservancy’s work.
Ability to educate and inform prospective and existing donors about appropriate giving vehicles.
Demonstrated experience using listening, diplomacy, and tact to build strong relationships and motivate donors and volunteers.
Expert knowledge of complex charitable gift planning.
Proven ability to negotiate complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of up to 40 principal gift donors and prospects with an interest in Africa, including individuals in discovery and qualification. Responsible for at least four strategic moves per donor annually and achieving annual fundraising goals of at least $5 million.
Serve as an Africa subject matter expert and strategic partner on complex donor strategy teams, collaborating with top-performing fundraisers, conservation leaders, and organizational leaders to inspire transformational philanthropic support for Africa’s conservation efforts and organizational priorities.
Lead donor engagement and portfolio growth efforts, including oversight of high-performing donor giving groups, strategic discovery and qualification activities, and the cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and expansion of principal gift prospects through peer networks and innovative engagement strategies.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture by embracing cross-cultural communication, continuous learning, strong self-awareness, and a commitment to collaboration, transparency, and respect.
Exercise significant independent judgment and decision-making on matters that may have program-wide impact, affect staff beyond the program, or create financial or legal obligations for the organization, while ensuring compliance with TNC policies, donor requirements, legal regulations, and ethical standards.
Lead and manage complex, high-profile initiatives and agreements, coordinating cross-functional teams, overseeing budgets and accountability, participating in sensitive negotiations, and maintaining confidentiality around frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information.
Drive fundraising success and organizational impact by setting and achieving fundraising objectives, evaluating results, implementing corrective strategies as needed, and persuasively communicating TNC’s mission and priorities to diverse audiences critical to the organization’s success.
Demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and professionalism through domestic and international travel, occasional evening and weekend work, and a commitment to thriving in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.