Donor Relations Specialist

Woodland Park Zoo•Seattle, WA

41d•$29 - $44•Hybrid

About The Position

As our new Donor Relations Specialist , we know you will be successful in this role because you are: A Strong Communicator: You are confident in your ability to communicate with internal and external stakeholders. You can drive enthusiasm and events for fundraising success by collaborating with colleagues, event co‐chairs, volunteers, and stakeholders involved. A Collateral Creator and Manager: You are ready to manage event collateral including save‐the dates, invitations, event informational/related website(s) and other related items. By creating and owning relevant collateral you can promote events to targeted audiences. A Trust Builder: You can provide high‐quality customer service to existing and potential donors. Nurturing a culture of philanthropy among staff, volunteers, and the Board of Directors is something you can do. You can ensure that building strong donor relationships enters all advancement decisions. Event Supporter: You are excited to oversee, plan, and coordinate aspects of the Development department's stewardship and cultivation event series, including Lionhearts (planned giving) and Wild at Heart (annual giving), and other one-off cultivation events. You are eager to collaborate with the Annual Giving team to plan and implement event(s) during the All for Animals fundraising campaign. Managing Jungle Party auction redemptions in partnership with the Individual Giving team, including but not limited to scheduling with the donors and auction participants to coordinate item pick up, coordinating logistics with the Events team, leading redemption tours, and completing contact reports is something you are excited to do. Support Volunteers: You can cultivate and secure volunteers for Jungle Party in collaboration with the Volunteer and Events teams. Managing volunteer training and troubleshooting during events are responsibilities you are excited to in collaboration with other internal teams. You are eager to develop volunteer workplans, job descriptions and training materials, revising annually as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field, and two (2) or more years of experience and/or training; and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Two (2) or more years of experience in fundraising event planning or catering; or equivalent project management experience.
Valid Washington State Driver's License.
Proficient and experienced in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
Ability to work with customized databases and technology and to conduct internet research.
Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal and organizational communication.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team within diverse teams and environments, while treating everyone with respect.
Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with staff, interns, volunteers, Board Members and other community members.
Ability to communicate effectively and comfortably with audiences of different backgrounds and experiences.
Ability to listen patiently and attentively, ability to express self clearly and effectively, and ability to adapt communication based on audience and purpose with inclusivity.
Ability to employ best practices associated with position, with an approach to accuracy, while displaying an ongoing commitment to learning and self‐improvement.
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and requests and meet deadlines in a professional manner.
Ability to effectively present information to staff, volunteers, public groups, donors, and others.
Ability to work a non‐standard/flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid WA driver's license with a safe driving history.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak a language in addition to English.
Salesforce, OneCause, and/or auction databases/mobile bidding experience.
Experience working with or directing volunteers.

Responsibilities

Oversee, plan, and coordinate aspects of the Development department's stewardship and cultivation event series, including Lionhearts (planned giving) and Wild at Heart (annual giving), and other one-off cultivation events.
Collaborate with the Annual Giving team to plan and implement event(s) during the All for Animals fundraising campaign.
Drive enthusiasm and events for fundraising success by collaborating with colleagues, event co‐chairs, volunteers, and stakeholders involved.
Create talking points to include messaging, remarks, and collateral copy.
Manage event collateral including save‐the dates, invitations, event informational/related website(s) and other related items, marketing events to target audiences, and determining storytelling and impact communications opportunities in collaboration with the Engagement team.
Collaborate with Events team on logistics and production needs.
Organize and facilitate event-related meetings and projects as needed.
Provide staff and volunteers with timelines for activity, regular status reports, guest registration reports, and administrative and creative support.
Manage event follow‐up, including guest acknowledgements and event surveys, reporting event results to applicable teams, scheduling debriefs and modifying practices based on results as needed.
Nurture a culture of philanthropy among staff, volunteers, and the Board of Directors; ensuring that building strong donor relationships enters into all advancement decisions.
Collaborate with the Data Services team to pull invitation and RSVP lists, schedule event emails, provide/receive Salesforce support, background research, and donation tracking needs.
Cultivate and secure volunteers for Jungle Party in collaboration with the Volunteer and Events teams.
In partnership with the Volunteer & Events teams, manage volunteer training and troubleshooting during the event.
Develop volunteer workplans, job descriptions and training materials, revising annually as needed.
Identify, train, and collaborate with the Jungle Party volunteer team leads.
Plan and oversee all pre and post Jungle Party auction volunteer meetings and events, including volunteer recognition.
Write and create all digital communications related to Jungle Party.
Coordinate with internal teams to manage certain aspects of Jungle Party including planning animal tours and Mission Moment booths.
Assist with other tasks as needed.
Manage Jungle Party auction redemptions in partnership with the Individual Giving team, including but not limited to scheduling with the donors and auction participants to coordinate item pick up, coordinating logistics with the Events team, leading redemption tours, and completing contact reports.
Provide high‐quality customer service to existing and potential donors; develop knowledge of the zoo's donors over time.
Perform other duties as assigned.