Director, Major Gift Officer

at  United Way Worldwide

POSITION SUMMARY (Hybrid, 3 days in office - Alexandria, VA)
As the Director, Major Gift Officer, you will serve as a key member of the Individual Giving Team, reporting directly to the Vice President, Individual Giving and working closely with the Director, Planned Giving.
This role will be part strategic advisor as well as direct fundraiser and skilled relationship manager. You will join an experienced group of major gift professionals who develop and activate major and planned giving strategies that help United Way Worldwide and the United Way Network raise more than $1 billion annually. Team members are part of the Development group, working collectively to build the capacity of our global Network of 1,200 Local United Way communities and secure $4.8 billion to meet United Way Worldwide’s mission.
In this important role, you will have demonstrated success in major gift fundraising and working with high-net worth individuals (HNWI). Your broad experience raising seven-figure+ investments, combined with your knowledge of major gift fundraising best practices, sets you apart. You are innovative, self-motivated, work independently, with key senior volunteers, and as a member of a high-performing team.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience.
• At least eight years of fundraising experience.
• At least five years of advanced-level individual fundraising managing a HNWI portfolio, including prospect identification, cultivation, stewardship, and recognition strategies.
• Demonstrated success in securing seven-figure+ gifts.
• Experience with volunteer structures such as a Campaign Cabinet or equivalent.
• Advanced level knowledge/use of MS Office products and CRM database management.
• Some travel is expected with potential for increased travel over time.

Preferred:

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in non-profit fundraising or institutional advancement.
• Advanced fundraising experience with demonstrated use of moves management strategies resulting in seven-figure+ gifts. Understanding of a donor-centric approach to fundraising based on deep sector knowledge.
• Exceptional donor relationship management skills.
• Experience co-creating aligned investment solutions for current and prospective donors.
• Meaningful experience in or knowledge of all key development areas (major, annual, and planned giving, and corporate and foundation relations). A broad understanding of multi-faceted campaign planning, implementation, and management.
• Strong interpersonal skills and customer service. Poised, professional manner with the ability to express oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others in all forms of communications, verbal and written, one-on-one and group, etc.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job. You should be able to work on-site in the Alexandria, VA location; relocation assistance is not offered.

An individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed below at a satisfactory level:

• Research, develop and implement strategies for securing increased and new investments of $100,000 - $1M+ from HNWI to accelerate organizational goals.
• Build (identify and research), cultivate, and steward a portfolio of HNWI donors driving activity against key metrics. Investments will be in support of United Way Worldwide and may be in partnership with Local United Ways (U.S. and/or global).
• Establish and track progress against measurable monetary goals and related activities. Build and manage a portfolio generating a minimum of $1M - $2M in annual investments with approximately 125 qualified active donors and prospects.
• Create individualized cultivation/stewardship plans with priority for principal gift opportunities. Evaluate capacity to increase giving and personal commitment through research, briefings, and relationships. Provide support to secure investments through investment level recommendations and related communication material development.
• Engage, lead, and collaborate with all groups and cross-functional teams on strategy for principal gift opportunities. Acknowledge donors as part of stewardship plan using a variety of communication methods including correspondence from other key executives and volunteers. Support key volunteers and senior Executives at United Way Worldwide in this cultivation/stewardship.
• Other duties as assigned.