About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer the Senior Development Officer is the lead fundraising professional responsible for the nationwide major and planned giving program, ensuring achievement of annual major and planned giving budget goals through the effective development and execution of the Moves Management cycle, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, closure, recognition, and stewardship of prospects and donors, primarily individuals who have the capacity to make major and planned gifts.

The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, oral and written communication, and presentation skills, coupled with high emotional intelligence to influence stakeholders. They should demonstrate initiative and achievement in national major and planned gift fundraising, with a solid understanding of estate planning principles and general fundraising principles. Proficiency in the entire gift cycle (identification, cultivation, gift commitment, recognition, and stewardship) is essential, along with a track record of building donor relationships and closing major and planned gifts. The candidate must be donor-centered, data-driven, innovative, results-oriented, adaptable, and flexible. They should be able to work independently under pressure, meet deadlines, exercise sound business judgment, maintain professional conduct, follow business ethics, and uphold confidentiality.

Duties and Responsibilities Include

  • In conjunction with the Chief Development Officer, lead the strategic development of the annual plan, calendar, and budget for major and planned gifts.
  • Leads the annual plan and strategy for securing major and planned gifts and long-term plans for donor acquisition and retention.
  • Achieve annual and budgeted net results for major and planned gifts.
  • Lead the strategic development and management of a comprehensive major and planned gifts program by establishing and implementing Moves Management that encompasses all phases of the donor cycle, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and recognition.
  • Directs major and planned gift solicitation and identifies and prioritizes donors and prospects; matches prospects to appropriate solicitors in the organization; prepares background information for solicitations; and follows up through completion of the donor life cycle.
  • Maintain an active schedule of solicitations, cultivation visits, events, and stewardship activities to increase philanthropic revenue. Personally manage a portfolio of donors and prospects.
  • Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive recognition program for major and planned gifts, incorporating initiatives such as naming opportunities, a planned giving society, in-person and virtual VIP events, donor profiles, and personalized communication.
  • Draft strategy briefs, written proposals, reports, marketing materials, and other donor-centered materials as needed.
  • Collaborate with resource development colleagues and AFB program staff to understand funding needs, align efforts, and develop cross-departmental strategies to achieve funding requirements.
  • Serve as liaison to estate professionals, financial institutions, and AFB’s attorneys.
  • Actively manage a prospect pool and oversee the administration of realized gifts executed by the Development Specialist to ensure timely, accurate processing of planned giving paperwork.
  • Execute various administrative responsibilities, including tracking and implementing departmental benchmarks to financial goals and budgets, ensuring timely and accurate reporting on donations/donors, utilizing the donor relationship management program to track relationships and contacts in support of fundraising strategies within the major gifts and planned giving portfolio, and ensuring adherence to audit requirements regarding restricted and special gifts.
  • Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of 7 years of successful hands-on experience in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and planned gift donors and prospects, or equivalent related experience such as sales and marketing; or equivalent work and certification experience. CFRE preferred.
  • Proficient in MS Office Suite, Google Workspace, Salesforce (CRM), Zoom, or similar software to create professional reports and collaborate.
  • Ability to travel 50% of the time.

Demonstrate AFB Key Values & Competencies Including:

Integrity & Respect, Collaboration, Job Excellence & Impact, Life-Long Learning, Initiative, Communication, Desire to Serve and Leadership

Compensation:

Salary based on experience, market analysis and location.

Location:

AFB headquarters are based in Arlington, VA. This is a full-time, remote position with strong preference given to applicants residing in VA, MD, DC, WV, NY, PA, or FL.

How to Apply

Interested parties, please email a Cover Letter and a Resume/CV to careers@afb.org.

At AFB we do not just accept difference, we celebrate it. AFB is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact Human Resources at careers@afb.org.

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