Director, Major Gifts

How You’ll Contribute

The Advancement team identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals, as well as foundation, government and corporate partners who invest in the Society to drive impact through science, technology, education, exploration, and storytelling. The team collaborates across the Society to build transformative and impact-driven strategic partnerships. The team also produces global events that deepen connections and leverage the Society’s power to convene, and directs robust annual, major and planned giving programs empowering the Society with a broad base of public support.

Reporting to the Vice President of Leadership Giving, the Director of Major Gifts leads and directs a team consisting of Major Gift Officers with regional portfolios. The Director will lead the strategic direction of two leadership giving recognition societies known as the Hubbard Council ($50,000+ annual commitment) and the Clark Council ($25,000+ annual commitment), in addition to the strategic management of a group of donors who give $10,000 - $24,999 annually.

The Director works closely with the Vice President of Leadership Giving and senior Advancement leaders to track metrics to measure fundraising performance, perform data analysis to drive strategy, and exceed advancement goals. This leader is proactive, responsible and has experience supervising, building, and maintaining strong professional relationships in a fast-paced work environment.

The Director of Major Gifts is responsible for developing and executing an effective international fundraising strategy. The Director will be an exceptional communicator and relationship builder with the creativity and skills to organize and develop an international fundraising program (including portfolio development, multi-day event execution, and executive-level meeting strategy coordination) from the ground up.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Management (40%)

• Develop, lead, and mentor a high-quality team that is prepared to meet aspirational fundraising goals. Empower staff through active communication and delegation.

• Set clearly defined and measurable goals for team members. Celebrate achievements and establish expectations for future success.

• Maintain accountability to the Advancement database, administrative systems and procedures.

Donor Stewardship (10%)

• Oversee the day-to-day management and long-term strategy development for $10,000+ annual recognition societies and levels of benefaction.

• Collaborate with colleagues on donor stewardship opportunities in anticipation of the opening of the Museum of Exploration.

International Fundraising (50%)

• Develop, in conjunction with the Chief Advancement Officer and Vice President of Leadership Giving, an advancement work plan, implementing short-term and long-range plans for fundraising in key international markets.

• Manage a portfolio of 40-60 international major and principal donor prospects—personally and in support of Senior Leaders--and move them through the donor cycle, raising at least $2M in year one and $3M-$4M in subsequent years.

• Strategize, cultivate, and solicit international major and principal gift donors to meet and exceed annual revenue fundraising goals and metrics.

• Serve as the day-to-day primary contact for all international Advancement work and potentially serve as point of contact for a signature program(s) and/or Explorer(s).

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred.

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

10+ years work experience in nonprofit advancement and a track record of closing six and seven-figure gifts.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Commitment to the mission of NGS – must adhere to the highest ethical standards, demonstrate an empathetic disposition and perseverance, and convey sensitivity to the needs of donors, staff and volunteers.

• Skilled at collaborating across multiple departments in a complex organization.

• Excellent attention to details and follow through as demonstrated through effective project management experience.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

• Presents a high degree of sophistication, self-confidence and self-motivation – ability to keep calm under pressure.

• Comfort multi-tasking multiple deadlines and projects and follow through.

Desired Qualifications

• Proficiency in a second language.

• Ability and willingness to travel internationally multiple times per year for extended periods of time.

• Proficiency with fundraising CRM (Raiser’s Edge NXT, DonorPerfect etc.).

• Proven fundraising experience in international markets or for environmental causes.

• Skill in exercising a high degree of initiative, judgment, discretion, and decision-making to achieve organizational objectives.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a goal-oriented team environment.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment independently when responding to inquiries and interacting with high net worth donors, volunteers and staff.

• Strong personal and professional integrity.

Supervision

3+ Direct reports

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $147,000 - $155,000

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.