Reporting to the Vice President for Development, Pacific Flyway; the Associate Director of Philanthropy for Alaska and Washington (ADOP) will assist in growing the major gifts program at Audubon through collaborative fundraising efforts with Audubon state directors and field staff, the Audubon executive team and other conservation professionals working across the Audubon Network. Their role is to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward high capacity donors toward gifts that support Audubon in achieving its ambitious local, state and national goals. They will manage a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects capable of giving six and seven figure gifts, working collaboratively to leverage projects, programs, flyways and the national organization with the goal of moving donors up the giving pyramid. S/he must have exceptional written and oral communication skills and demonstrate a commitment to a collaborative workstyle.
Key metrics for success will include donor engagement (number of personal meetings with donors, prospects and volunteers) and revenue (value of gifts; number of solicitations; success rate of solicitations; and achievement of programmatic contributed revenue goals). The successful candidate will be an entrepreneurial, result driven, development professional with success in closing five and six figure gifts. This is a regional position focusing on the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, based out Seattle, with regular travel to Alaska.
- Develop and maintain a strong knowledge of Audubon’s Strategic Plan, the conservation priorities in the Alaska and Washington field offices, priority projects, and core initiatives. Knowledge of Alaska and Arctic conservation is a plus
- Qualify current and prospective donors to develop an active portfolio of 150 individuals
- Create and implement personalized cultivation/briefing/ask strategies for all assigned prospects, based on philanthropic focus to maximize giving to Audubon
- Regularly review portfolio and planned strategies with VP for Development, state directors and their teams, Audubon executive team, and others in order to align prospects interests with existing and emerging priorities
- Manage prospect pipeline and continually strive to identify and engage new donors
- Help set and achieve specific fundraising goals for state and strategic priorities
- Prep executives and program staff for all interactions with donors, including research information, goals of meeting, and talking points
- Using the fundraising database (Salesforce), create and record timely reports on all donor interactions
- Work collaboratively with national and other state office staff on Audubon’s strategic priorities
- Adhere to the highest ethical standards, demonstrate empathetic disposition and perseverance, reflect optimistic and positive attitude and convey sensitivity to the needs of donors
- Proven track record of building donor relationships that result in annual gifts at the five and six-figure range, experience soliciting multi-year commitments and seven-figure gifts preferred
- Skilled at working cross-functionally with leaders, as well as high-level volunteers and boards
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team as well as to be self-directed with a high degree of accountability
- Ability to manage projects, establish and monitor priorities, maintain flexibility and meet deadlines with little direct supervision
- Work style that builds alliances and emphasizes consensus building, high ethical standards, collegiality and effective teamwork within a results-focused organization
- Ability to drive, manage and delegate project work; establish and monitor priorities and maintain flexibility while meeting deadlines
- Exceptionally strong strategic thinking, analytical skills and attention to detail
- Outstanding stewardship and relationship management skills
- Interest, understanding, and commitment to the conservation of birds, other wildlife and their habitat is critical; as is the ability to communicate Audubon’s mission, goals and programs effectively and with the highest professional standards