Major Gifts Officer

The Marine Mammal Center•Sausalito, CA

5d•$120,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Director, Major Gifts, the seasoned Major Gifts Officer enables the sustainability, evolution, and expansion of The Marine Mammal Center’s conservation programs by managing a dynamic fundraising portfolio of 100+ donors and inspiring them to learn more about our exciting strategic priorities at the Center. This role is focused on individual relationships with donors able to give single gifts of $25,000 to $1 million+. This role will play an important part in helping us scale our work in local, regional and national areas, raising funds for new and existing program initiatives as well as unrestricted funds. The Major Gifts Officer will identify, evaluate, cultivate and manage relationships and successfully close gifts through appropriate and timely asks. The person in this role will be a thought leader, providing input and support to the Center’s Board of Directors, Senior Management and Development volunteers on a full range of development activities. Identifying and involving the appropriate partner(s) (e.g. Board Members or Conservation Program Managers) to support activities in the development and stewardship of donor relationships will be a key function of this role.

Requirements

Strong commitment to the mission and strategic priorities of The Marine Mammal Center.
Ability to understand strategic organizational issues and influence change.
Strong knowledge of fundraising principles. Planning and budgeting skills for a portfolio required.
A proven record of securing meetings with prospective donors, and soliciting, closing, and stewarding gifts.
Exhibits a high degree of professionalism including ability to communicate effectively to build productive relationships with all donors, peers, board, and executives.
Strong initiative and self-motivation.
Comfort and agility in recruiting, training, and managing volunteers/volunteer activities.
Adherence to the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) code of ethical standards.
Ability to maintain adaptability, empathy, and optimism under pressure.
Ability to assess needs, influence, collaborate, and partner with varying levels within the organization.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team environment, collaborating seamlessly with cross-functional colleagues to achieve shared project goals, while actively contributing ideas and fostering open communication.
Exceptional written, verbal, active listening, presentation, and facilitation skills with the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and in a timely manner, as well as the ability to edit/author proposals and presentations.
Knowledge of project design, planning, implementation and management principles and practices.
Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work, take initiative, be proactive, reliable, responsible, and accurate with attention to detail and follow through, all while ensuring flexibility to accommodate varying timelines.
Ability to understand and synthesize complex information to communicate effectively with varying audiences.
Strong analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving abilities.
Skills in budget preparation, implementation, and accountability.
Strong leadership and managerial skills.
Proven ability to learn new technologies quickly and manage change efficiently, proactively, and in a positive manner.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and videoconference technology (Slack, Teams, Zoom).
Experience with and knowledge of fundraising databases. Salesforce constituent management database (or equivalent) and Raisers Edge experience preferred.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, which may include staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.
Ability to practice self-awareness and respect while engaging with staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.
Willingness to support and participate in The Marine Mammal Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Valid driver's license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability. (Must be 21+ years old as driving company vehicles is often required for this position.)

Nice To Haves

Previous success with gifts from wills and trusts is a plus.
Salesforce constituent management database (or equivalent) and Raisers Edge experience preferred.
Bachelor's degree in marketing, digital marketing, public relations, or related field; and 7 years of development experience preferred, but adjacent sales experience or other relevant experience considered.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the identification, cultivation and solicitation of major gifts for both annual funds and special campaigns.
Partner with the Chief Advancement Officer and Director of Development to grow the Major Gifts program.
Collaborate with colleagues and volunteers within the Development Team to manage dynamic and smooth constituent experiences as donors move in and out of the major gifts pipeline, helping to meet or exceed departmental fundraising goals.
Work with high-level volunteers to leverage personal and professional networks as well as individual skills to increase efficacy of prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship efforts.
Work in partnership with non-Development colleagues to provide compelling donor materials, gift proposals, and experiences.
Participate in ongoing public, donor and volunteer relations, and organizational functions and events as needed.
Utilize data analytics, research, and an intentional timeline to manage donor relationships resulting in a gift.
Maintains up-to-date and accurate database records for assigned donors, recording all conversations, actions, and proposals for tracking and reporting purposes.
Conduct donor research, cultivation and solicitation to support campaigns as needed.
Actively participate in organization-wide leadership committee(s).
Collaborate with their Director, Senior Director and/or Executive Team member to ensure the department is staying on track with department goals.
Support and prioritize the Center’s DEI objectives and integrate as opportunities arise.
Perform special projects and research as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.