Full-time · Remote · Remote possible
Job Title: Senior Advancement Director, Major Gifts, West Department: Strategy—Advancement Location: Remote home office; Sierra Club office Oakland. This position requires travel throughout the West. Reports To: Senior Managing Director, Major Gifts, West Supervises: n/a
Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.
Scope: This is an opportunity to join the Advancement team of the country’s leading grassroots environmental organization. At a critical time for the planet, Sierra Club is running highly effective campaigns to address climate change, protect wilderness and wildlife, and advance these priorities by rooting the work in justice and equity for all. We are seeking a Senior Advancement Director responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting gifts of $25,000 and greater. In this position, you will be part of a dynamic team of gift officers raising upwards of $65 million dollars annually for our high-impact campaigns from individual donors, family foundations, and institutional funders within the defined geographic region. The Senior Advancement Director, West will engage donors and prospects throughout the region via discovery, cultivation, engagement, solicitation and stewardship activities. 40-50% of travel is typically expected in this role.
Job activities include but are not limited to:
Portfolio Management:
Manage a portfolio of high-potential prospects and donors by identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding prospects and donors.
Engage with donors and prospects through in person meetings, phone, video conference, digital engagements, and written communications based on a clear strategy for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Solicit assigned donors for gifts of $25,000 and more to meet annual projected fundraising revenue goals.
In collaboration with the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), Sr. Managing Director, Major Gifts, West, Advancement team leadership, Campaign, Chapter and other Advancement Team members, identifies, qualifies and cultivates prospects and donors, developing and implementing a clear strategy for each prospect and donor, leading to new and increased giving over time by connecting philanthropic priorities with Sierra Club’s programs and priorities.
Leverage existing and/or plan new donor engagement events in the Western geographic region working with campaign leaders, CAO, Advancement team, and others across the organization designed to identify, cultivate and solicit new and existing prospects and donors.
Prepare and send donor correspondence, including written solicitations and proposals.
Develop and maintain an in-depth knowledge of the organization’s activities, priorities and needs. Applies this knowledge in matching the interests and needs of prospective donors with the strategic needs of the organization and campaigns.
Capture all interactions and relationships in the donor database in a timely manner.
40%-50% travel is likely for this role with travel throughout the Western region.
Strategic Planning & Execution:
Drive strategies and plans to identify, cultivate, upgrade and/or solicit new donors, with an eye towards building a strong pipeline of qualified major donors and high-net-worth individuals with the capacity to give $25,000 or greater.
Maintain knowledge and expertise in environmental issues broadly, including climate change, clean energy, land, water and wildlife conservation. Work with Campaign and Chapter key staff and teams to help develop and implement relevant major gift programs, initiatives, events, and materials.
The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:
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