Senior Major Gifts Officer
Development Department
Union of Concerned Scientists
Remote/Hybrid located in the western region
Bargaining Unit Position: Yes
The Position
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent national nonprofit that uses science to protect our health, safety, and environment. We are scientists, engineers, economists, activists, and everyday people who develop and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problemsfrom combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting misinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war.
Our fundraising department is seeking a Senior Major Gifts Officer (SMGO) to be part of a thirty-five-person development team responsible for raising the organization’s entire budgetnearly $60 million each year. This individual will join a nine-person Major Gifts team, which raises more than $10 million+ annually. Reporting to an Associate Director of Major Gifts and working collaboratively with the entire team, the SMGO will be responsible for managing a portfolio of donors and prospects in the western region, which includes Northern CA, the Pacific Northwest, and the Rocky Mountain states.
The ideal individual will have great oral and written communications skills, the ability to develop productive external and internal relationships, the capacity to prioritize competing demands, and the flexibility to work independently and as part of a team/department. Front-line relationship management experience required.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities for this role include:
Carry out front-line relationship management of donors and prospects in the assigned portfolio. Responsible for advancing the major gifts portfolio with approximately 75-125 active donors and prospects; retaining and upgrading existing donors; identifying and qualifying new major gift prospects; and generating revenue in the assigned region(s). Move donors and prospects through the stages of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship in a strategic and efficient manner. Develop and execute individual strategies for each assigned donor/prospect. Meet or exceed individual metrics for portfolio engagement, 100 meaningful connections (including 60+ in-person meetings), and 200 personalized contacts annually. Schedule, script, and lead donor and prospect interactions (in person, video, phone, and email); guide and direct president, staff, and board in cultivation and solicitation activity. Produce high-quality, resonant donor communications, including proposals and reports for donors and family foundations, as needed. Develop and maintain familiarity with all UCS program areas and organizational priorities per annual strategic workplans and five-year strategic plan; stay current about significant developments in our issue areas. Actively contribute to team priorities, such as enhancing and improving systems, and collaborate with colleagues in Membership, Planned Giving, Foundation Relations, Engagement amp; Events, Gift amp; Data Processing, and others as needed, such as the Western States Regional Director and CA office staff.Requirements
Qualifications and Experience
Five to seven years of comparable and relevant development experience, with at least 5 years in major/leadership giving with increasing levels of responsibility. Demonstrated success in front-line major gifts work: closing five- and six-figure gifts, utilizing moves management, writing effective and compelling proposals/reports, experience with donor tracking systems, and working with board members and/or leadership-level volunteers. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective external and internal relationships and juggle multiple priorities. Support organizational journey and commitment to advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Curious and a good listener with a willingness to learn and ask questions. Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and experience with donor databases (Raiser’s Edge a plus).
May spend extended periods at a computer. Must have a current driver’s license and be able to travel nationally, including on overnight trips, for up to 30% of the time.
Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.
UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. We’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that