Position Summary
The Director of Philanthropy will be responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of mid-level and major gift donors for The Florida Aquarium.
They must be able to think strategically and practically to implement a comprehensive and results-oriented development plan that includes traditional and innovative strategies.
Essential Position Functions
Mid-Level and Major Giving
- Collaborate with the Vice President of Philanthropy in the creation and implementation of short and long-term philanthropic giving plans to meet or exceed established annual fundraising goals and objectives.
- Build and manage an active donor portfolio of mid-level and major giving donors and prospects.
- Create Moves Management strategies for each donor / prospect that promote a strong case of support for renewable giving.
- Responsible for the management, oversight, and growth of high-end annual giving society - The Champion Circle.
- Develop and manage a member to donor pipleline working in partnership with Prospect Development & Analytics Specialist to identify key mid-level donor prospects from TFA membership base.
- Develop donor cultivation activities (i.e. lunch and learn, animal encounters, small gatherings, etc.) to engage current donors, attract new prospects, and deepen affinity for Aquarium mission.
- Directly supervise Manager of Philanthropic Giving, providing guidance and support for annual giving initiatives as needed.
General
- Achieve or exceed personal goals to contribute to the financial sustainability of the organization.
- Meet metric goals for grant fundraising goals, grant submission, and grant proposals.
- Prepare appropriate Development materials such as briefing notes, letters, and impact reports that are compelling, accurate, professional, and on brand.
- Represent The Florida Aquarium at internal and external events; occasional night and weekend availability is required.
- Deliver professional customer service to all Aquarium guests and internal customers.
- Regularly update and maintain accurate record keeping in CRM system (Altru) with notes, plans, and opportunities for donors as appropriate.
- Review journals and periodicals for new prospects as well as information pertinent to current prospects, donors, trends, philanthropy;
improve and contribute to donor files.
- Support TFA's Shared Purpose by participating in a Conservation Day of Action shift on an annual basis.
- Other duties as required.
Education Requirements, Knowledge, Abilities and Technical Skills
- Bachelor's degree in related field required.
- Minimum of seven to ten years of increasing responsibility in non-profit fundraising, preferably focusing on mid-level and major giving.
- Knowledge and demonstrated success in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors. Passion for the work and mission of the Aquarium.
- Ability to interact professionally with all levels of the organization and community.
- Demonstrated ability to listen, negotiate, and collaborate.
- Superior organizational skills, with the ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and multitask.
- Capacity to establish action plans with specific short and long-range goals for the Aquarium; allocate resources in the most efficient and effective manner.
- Experience in the conservation field is preferred.
- Ensure the Donor Code of Ethics is followed in respect to the confidentiality of personal and proprietary information.
- Anticipate the needs and act accordingly for both internal and external constituencies.
- Skills with database management and fundraising CRM systems, Altru experience preferred.
- Computer capabilities of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Core Competencies
Customer Focus - Demonstrates courtesy, cooperation and friendliness with staff, volunteers and customers. Actively listens, anticipates and evaluates the customer's needs.
Ensures that customer satisfaction is a priority in all areas of responsibility. Actively engages our customers while fulfilling job responsibilities.
- Donor Service Orientation : Listening and understanding the donor by anticipating and evaluating their needs; making the donor's satisfaction a high priority in all areas of responsibility.
- Professional / Technical Knowledge and Competency - Remains current on developments in the field within and outside the organization;
maintains proficiencies.
Interpersonal Skills / Teamwork - Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively within a team and across departments for organizational success.
Demonstrates a positive attitude and initiative, seeks to understand before being understood. Fosters a positive, supportive and encouraging work environment.
Demonstrates respect for other's opinions, trusts in their abilities and recognizes their contributions.
- Teamwork : Supporting, facilitating, and participating in activities to promote team effectiveness.
- Communication (oral and written) : Effectively expressing ideas while actively listening to individuals and groups; preparing and focusing presentations on the characteristics and needs of the audience;
expressing ideas clearly and concisely in written form, through memoranda, letters, reports, and other documents.
- Information Gathering and Monitoring : Effectively collect relevant data to monitor and manage projects and people, including instituting and initiating follow-up methods.
- Judgment - Deciding on and committing to an action on the examination of the facts at hand; finding creative solutions to situations and opportunities that arise;
taking strategic risks when necessary.
- Concern for detail - Pays attention to every portion of any task, down to the smallest item.
- Planning and organizing - Establishing a course of action with specific long-range goals for the Aquarium; setting priorities among competing requirements and allocating resources most efficiently and effectively.
Institutes and initiates methods for monitoring people and projects.
Typical Physical Requirements
- Sitting / Standing / Walking (up to 4 hours per day)
- Bending / Stooping / Squatting - Occasionally
- Climbing stairs -Frequently
- Reaching above shoulders - Occasionally
- Crouching / Kneeling - Occasionally
- Pushing / Pulling - Occasionally
- Carrying / Lifting (up to 25 lbs.) - Occasionally
- Working near moving machinery - Occasionally
- Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity
- Typing on a computer keyboard
- Viewing a computer screen for extended periods
- Coping with demands (stresses that are associated with the job and / or the work environment so that acceptable levels of performance and overall contribution are maintained)
- Ability to travel (car / air) as needed - locally and / or nationally
- Daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals in a central Florida climate
- Flexibility in working weekends, evenings, and holidays
- Available for on-call emergencies
- Ability to interact and be around wild animals
- Exposure to various plants and birds