Major Gifts Officer

Summary:

Across the state, Washington has more science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and health care jobs than it can fill yet our higher education system cannot keep up with the demand for skilled employees. The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) is a unique, public-private partnership designed to address our talent shortage. WSOS fuels the state’s economy by providing scholarships and a continuum of support services to high-potential students who are pursuing a graduate degree, bachelor’s degree, associate degree, certificate, or apprenticeship in a high-demand trade, health care, or STEM program in Washington state.

The Major Gifts Officer is a highly skilled, experienced, and results-oriented fundraising professional who can plan individual giving strategy and manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors. They will serve as a strategic thought partner to the Managing Director of Advancement and the Executive Director on campaign planning and the cultivation and stewardship of individual donors. The successful candidate will understand the complexities of philanthropy and be excited to build and grow an individual gifts program. The successful candidate is an excellent relationship steward whose approach is strategic and data-driven with a proven record of producing measurable results.

WSOS currently has an annual operating and programs budget of about $5 million and supports a scholarship budget of about $18 million annually.  WSOS’s 11-member, Governor-appointed Board of Directors meets quarterly. There is a staff of about 30 FTE which is primarily located in Seattle and several remote staff members across the state.  WSOS collaborates with its program administrator, 501 Commons, which provides HR, IT and financial services for the organization. The workplace culture at WSOS is fast-paced, innovative, results-driven and equity-focused. All are encouraged to think creatively, voice their opinions, try new things, fail quickly, evaluate, iterate and try again. We spend time investing in relationships, and we acknowledge the humanity of our Scholars, staff and partners. We believe we are powerful because of the diverse perspectives staff bring, and we seek to understand and offer one another grace and acceptance. We commit to giving and receiving feedback honestly and often. We set bold goals and have high expectations for ourselves, and we hold ourselves and each other accountable to them. This doesn’t mean we don’t also have fun! We have built a social, collaborative team and we value opportunities to connect and have fun together. Work-life balance is highly valued: we have a generous PTO and holiday schedule, and we are flexible with staff and allow for fluid work arrangements that make work better integrate with life. If this sounds like you, come join us.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

·       Oversee an individual giving strategy, planning for and managing each step of the major donor pipeline, including discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

·       Manage relationships and secure investments from a portfolio of 50-75 opportunities (proposals/prospects) that are $25,000k+

·       Support key board members and volunteers in their fundraising efforts, and be one of the lead staff members on the Campaign Steering Committee

·     Measurements of success in this role include number of meaningful connections, stewardship

actions and asks; execution against individual engagement and solicitation plans; donor performance year over last; and total dollars raised

·    Maintain the highest ethical standards of the fundraising profession

Position requirements:

The ideal candidate for this position is an experienced fundraiser who is inspired by WSOS’s work in supporting under-resourced students to meet their educational and career goals. Specifically, they will demonstrate:

·       Significant experience securing major gifts, ideally from high-net-worth individuals

·       A proven track record of building relationships with potential funders and closing gifts, ideally ranging from $25,000 to $1 million

·       Expertise in stewarding relationships with high-profile, high-net-worth individuals

·       A nuanced understanding of the current philanthropic landscape, and the ability to strategically plan a fundraising program that addresses relevant challenges and opportunities

Education and Experience

·       Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience), ideally in fundraising, nonprofit, or business

administration or other related field

·       Minimum of five years of experience (more a plus) working in fundraising, community engagement, corporate relations, higher education or related fields 

·       Demonstrated major gifts experience with a track record of building donor relationships and closing large gifts in excess of $25,000

·       Demonstrated experience stewarding relationships with high-profile, high-net-worth individuals

·       CFRE, CFRM or other fundraising certification is desirable

Core Competencies

·     Able to thoughtfully consider and embrace new ideas and different perspectives

·       Focuses on accomplishing team goals rather than a personal agenda

·       Communicates goals, objectives, and strategies frequently and aligns them with work and tasks

·       Regularly reflects on challenging situations as opportunities to identify learning

opportunities; engages others in reflection

·       Proactively and independently identifies potential challenges

·       Awareness of inequities that exist at multiple levels (personal, interpersonal, organizational, and systemic)

Preferred Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

·       Effective strategies that underpin individual major giving programs built on evaluation

of past performance and the creation of progress and outcome measures

·       Highly effective donor communications, including the components of compelling major gift and investment proposals

·       Nonprofit fundraising best practices and the local philanthropic landscape

·       High-demand (leading or up-and-coming) industry sectors in the state of Washington,

particularly those that leverage the advancement of STEM and health care

·       Systems of power and oppression and how they impact the lived experience of students of color, first-generation college students and students from low-income families

Skill in:

·       Effectively motivating and managing high-level volunteers and Board members

·       The art of building strong relationships with individuals from all kinds of backgrounds

·       Making compelling, persuasive presentations

·       Using a donor/constituent CRM such as Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge for moves management

·    Ability to interpret prospect research

·       Use of Microsoft, Office and Smartsheet (or similar project management software)

·       Leveraging technology and other creative solutions to enhance productivity and grow

efficiencies

Ability to:

·       Manage multiple priorities and meet ambitious timeline and fundraising targets

·       Build and maintain strong donor and staff relationships

·       Demonstrate leadership, initiative, collaboration and interpersonal skills

·       Demonstrate sensitivity to donor information

·       Thrive working independently and under supervision in an energetic, fast-paced team

environment

·     Balance competing priorities in a cross-functional workspace

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS: 

·      Valid Washington state driver’s license or identification card 

·     Access to reliable transportation for business travel  

·     Proof of automobile insurance if using a personal vehicle for business travel 

·     Complete a criminal background check absent of offenses impacting ability to perform in

the role 

·     References will be required of short-listed candidates 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

·      Moving to/from meeting spaces, sitting, bending, twisting, and reaching; Occasional

lifting of up to 20 pounds 

·      Open to dialogue about issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness 

·      Hybrid workplace including work-from-home time blended with shared office environment

with moderate noise levels from standard office equipment 

·      Ability to perform consistent work on a PC required 

·      Travel very occasionally required 

HOW TO APPLY: 

Position open until filled. Please visit https://www.waopportunityscholarship.org/about/jobs/ and click on “Check for open roles” to submit the following documents: 

·       Cover letter outlining your interest in the position 

·       Resume highlighting relevant aspects of your experience 

Equal employment opportunities and diverse

staffing are fundamental principles of WSOS. To learn more about the Washington

State Opportunity Scholarship, please visit www.waopportunityscholarship.org.  People who have personal experience as a first-generation, under-resourced or underrepresented student like the majority of those WSOS serves are especially encouraged to apply. 

BENEFITS: 

• Competitive salary listed in job description
• Health, dental, vision, and prescription coverage; long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance
• Support for setting up and maintaining a home office
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays, including the week of July 4
• 401(k) with employer contribution, even if you do not contribute
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Hybrid - 2 days in Seattle office, 12 optional work from elsewhere days 
• Professional development funds

HOW TO APPLY: 

Position open until filled. Please visit https://www.waopportunityscholarship.org/about/jobs/ and click on “Check for open roles” to submit the following documents: 

·       Cover letter outlining your interest in the position 

·       Resume highlighting relevant aspects of your experience 

Equal employment opportunities and diverse staffing are fundamental principles of WSOS. To learn more about the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, please visit www.waopportunityscholarship.org.  People who have personal experience as a first-generation,

under-resourced or underrepresented students, like the majority of those WSOS serves, are especially encouraged to apply.