Major and Planned Giving Officer

Summary: The Major and Planned Giving Officer reports to the Director of Major and Institutional Giving. They are responsible for fundraising initiatives to secure major and planned gifts and build relationships with the Garden's most generous donors.

This position will have primary oversight of the Garden's planned giving program, including management of the Heritage Society. They are responsible for managing relationships with major gifts and planned gift prospects determined to have the ability to make gifts at or above the $25,000 level. They are also responsible for a portfolio of 100-125 major and planned gift individual prospects and donors. The Major and Planned Giving Officer will develop and implement strategies for donors in the philanthropic cycle (identification, cultivation, solicitation, recognition).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for soliciting outright and deferred gifts of $25,000-$250,000 to support the Garden's mission-delivery programs.
• Manages a portfolio of 100-125 prospects by creating individualized plans and conducting at least 75 relationship-building donor or prospect meetings per year (in person, by phone, or on Zoom).
• Develops and implements strategies for donors in the philanthropic cycle (identification, cultivation, solicitation, recognition).
• Develops and implements an annual planned gift strategy; provides counsel and training to Garden leaders, staff, and volunteers regarding the promotion, cultivation, and solicitation of planned gifts.
• Develops fundraising proposals, illustrations, gift agreements, solicitation materials, acknowledgements, and other donor communications to support funding requests and stewardships.

• Collaborates with volunteers and staff to move donors successfully into the major giving cohort in ways that prioritize the donor relationships and support long-term donor loyalty.
• Provides comprehensive and timely reports summarizing activity, project status, and work plan timelines as requested.
• Records all relevant donor data and interactions, including contact reports and plans management, in the Tessitura CRM.
• Manages the marketing of the planned giving program in communication with division and Garden-wide communication staff, and the relationship with third party vendor PG Calc.
• Manages the activity and stewardship of the Heritage Society; assists with the planning and implementation of other donor events and volunteer meetings as appropriate.
• Works to ensure appropriate allocation of resources to maximize organization, efficiency, communication and accuracy in the Garden's overall institutional advancement work.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed: informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines and safe working practices and routinely monitors to enforce them.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others.
• Manages special projects and other duties as assigned by division leadership.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies:

Communication - Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.

Collaboration - Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.

Accountability - Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues' concerns.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.

Stewardship - Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years' experience successfully leading annual and major gifts fund raising efforts, inclusive of prospect research, solicitation, and records management required.
• Experience as lead solicitor in face-to-face donor solicitations.

• Experience in soliciting and securing five and six figure gifts through outright gifts and pledges and deferred gifts.
• Experience in raising major gifts through bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts and other complex gift arrangements.
• Advanced working knowledge and understanding of planned gift vehicles, fundraising principles and practices. .
• Proficient experience using database software programs (i.e., Tessitura) and planned giving software/calculators.
• Proven ability to engage and interact with a wide variety of people; strong customer service orientation.
• Must be able to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, demonstrate and instill in others a high degree of professionalism, integrity, loyalty and service to the organization.
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
• Willingness to work as part of a team required; proven ability to work collaboratively with internal team members for the purposes of achieving goals/objectives.
• Proven track record of taking ownership of projects through successful completion required; coordinating multiple projects and tasks simultaneously; strong initiative.
• Scheduling flexibility that allows working occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays required.
• Frequent local travel is required, with occasional regional travel possible.
• Adheres to all health and safety policies/procedures.
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:

* Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, Non-Profit Management, or related field required. Relevant advanced degree, CFRE, CFP, or other relevant credentials preferred.

* An equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills:

* Intermediate to advanced skill level using Microsoft Office Word and Excel programs required; strong working knowledge of Outlook features (specifically the electronic calendar feature) required and PowerPoint preferred.

* Proficient experience using database software programs (i.e., Tessitura).

* Adept at using planned giving software programs desirable.

Language Skills:

* Ability to communicate effectively in English (verbal and written).

Mathematical Skills:

* Requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals.

Reasoning Ability:

* Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.

* Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

* Ability to possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Physical Demands:

* Requires ability to make frequent telephone calls and routine in-person visits to the organization's current and future donors and prospects.

* Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing) and sit for extended periods of the work day.

* Must be able to lift and carry 20 pounds when transporting supplies and assisting constituents; occasional hands-on participation with event set-ups required.

* May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., step stool ladders, etc.).

* Ability to move up and down stairwells (multiple Garden buildings have stairs); walk about facility frequently throughout work day; frequent standing, reaching and stooping; 25% or more of the workday may be spent standing on feet.

* Ability to drive (use of surrey to conduct constituent tours and meetings).

* Must be able to work both indoors and outdoors.

* Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends to support Garden events.

Work Environment:

• This position is primarily in the office, with flexibility for offsite donor meetings and limited remote working.
• Quiet indoor office setting; office environment with multiple staff within the department.

* Comfortable working in immediate proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding the Garden and its operations.

* Ability to work outdoors during donor visits and events in all weather conditions (i.e., in temperatures over 100F as well as temperatures below 0F, in rain, snow, and other inclement weather conditions as needed).

* Dynamic and fast-paced, requiring ongoing cooperation with multiple internal and external audiences.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

* Assigned donors and prospects.

* Institutional Advancement staff.

* Other employees/volunteers.

Supervisor:

* Director, Major and Institutional Giving

Submission requirement: Resume, Cover Letter, and three professional references