Senior Development Specialist

About Us

Ever eat an Impossible Burger, cooked plant-based chicken, or recycle a plastic water bottle? There isn’t a facet of modern life that chemical engineers haven’t touched.

Chemical engineers have been part of almost every major development from plastics and fibers to unleaded gasoline to solar power and medicines. If it’s modern, chemical engineers helped make it happen.

AIChE is a professional society of more than 60,000 chemical engineers in 110 countries. Its members work in corporations, universities and government, using their knowledge of chemical processes to develop safe and useful products for the benefit of society. Through its varied programs, AIChE continues to be a focal point for information exchange on the frontiers of chemical engineering research in such areas as energy, sustainability, biological and environmental engineering, nanotechnology, and chemical plant safety and security.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Associate Director of Development, the Senior Development Specialist will utilize their strong relationship-building skills to identify, cultivate, secure and retain individual financial support. Their portfolio includes a mix of donors and prospects in various stages of the fundraising cycle with a focus on elevating annual donors, retaining and increasing mid-level donors and supporting the Associate Director with engagement and stewardship of major gifts. The Senior Development Specialist will incorporate moves management across the portfolio and look for existing relationships (event attendance, conference volunteer / speaker, forum, division, society engagement) to support and advance their work. The successful individual will create and implement a personalized strategic stewardship for their portfolio that supports on-going donor engagement to continue the Foundation’s growth in annual, mid-level and major giving.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement fundraising plans that align with the organizations overall strategic plan
• Collaborate with volunteer leadership to identify and build relationships with new major donors; maintaining and strengthening relationships with existing donors
• Partner with the Associate Director on efforts to re-energize Legacy Society and planned giving
• Expand support for identified programs included in individual case for support for major giving
• Ensure the successful implementation of major donor funded programs and measure outcomes through a systematic approach
• Develop donor relationships to achieve $250K+ and grow to $500K over the next 2-3 years.
• Prepare major donor gift proposals in support of the Associate Director to secure major multi-year gifts
• Generate development materials including impact stories, donor-focused communications, donor proposals and specific case statements in support of fundraising

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Proficient with individual solicitations, annual, major and blended
• Demonstrated track record of securing multi-year gifts
• Exceptional project management and time management skills; strong attention to details
• Ability to take the lead, influence and motivate volunteers; executive leadership in supporting major gifts
• Demonstrated experience working successfully within a highly collaborative and collegial organization
• Adapt to new situations and quickly problem solve
• Excellent understanding of development best practices
• Affinity for technical learning and application

Software Proficiencies

• MS Office Products (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams)
• Must be proficient in creating executive level presentations
• Must be capable to utilize Excel for donor data, including creating / understanding basic equations (sums, percentages, etc.)
• Personify (or similar database / customer relationship management tool)
• Smartsheet a plus

Competencies

• Team Player
• Detailed Oriented
• Time Management
• Project Management
• Managing and Measuring Work
• Drive for Results
• Conflict Management

Educational & Work Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business or relevant discipline
• A minimum of 6-8 years’ experience of progressive and proven fundraising and major gifts expertise
• Experience with developing and strengthening relationships to support individual and organizational donors

Travel

• Travel is expected up to 10%.

Location

• This position is currently hybrid, but will be located at our NYC Global Office when COVID in-person restrictions are lifted.

The American Institute of Chemical Engineers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.