Position title: Head of Major Donor Relations
Reports to: Director, Development Department
Supervises: Major Donor Managers, Researcher, Fundraising and Major Donor Coordinator
Salary: Internationally competitive salary and benefits, dependent experience
Location: Gland (near Geneva), Switzerland
About WWF
WWF was formed on 29 April 1961, when a small group of passionate and committed individuals signed a declaration that laid the foundations for what has grown into the world's largest independent conservation organization. More than 50 years on, the black and white panda logo is a well-known household symbol in many countries. Over this time, WWF's focus has evolved from localized efforts in favour of single species and individual habitats to an ambitious strategy to preserve biodiversity and achieve sustainable development across the globe. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.
Today, WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations acting locally through a network of over 90 offices in over 40 countries around the world. On-the-ground conservation projects managed by these offices are active in more than 100 countries. The central secretariat for the network (called WWF International) is located in Gland.
WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:
- conserving the world’s biological diversity
- ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
- promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
Background to the role
I. Missionof the Department: To raise funds for WWF’s Conservation Programmes and WWF International and support collective fundraising efforts by the WWF Network.
II. MajorFunctions: The Head of Major Donor Relations leads and manages all aspects of WWF International’s successful major donor strategy, including managing key donor relationships and leading a team of relationship managers. S/he is responsible for researching and recruiting new major donors, and planning, implementing, managing, and coordinating the stewardship activities of WWF International major donors to achieve growth targets. WWF launched its biggest fundraising campaign in history, the Campaign for a Living Planet, which aims to raise $100 million for conservation priorities. This role is critical to ensuring the organisation achieves its target in the next 18 months – the last phase of the Campaign and to support the creation of a new phase of major donor fundraising upon completing the Campaign.
MajorDuties and Responsibilities: The Head will work closely with the Director of Development and the foundations and major donor teams in the planning and implementation of all major gift fundraising activities including:
· Ensuring, in conjunction with the Development Director, that everything is in place to achieve the Campaign for a Living Planet’s $100 million target
· Explores and formulates strategies for the development of existing major donors to increase their support to WWF
· Identifies the highest-potential prospects and develops and implements cultivation strategies to turn prospects into WWF supporters
· Works with Campaign Steering Committee members to identify prospects from their networks and to develop appropriate cultivation strategies to secure high level gifts
· Assists team members and others associated with WWF International in the evaluation, researching, cultivation and solicitation of the highest-potential prospects in major donors;
· Ensures appropriate and timely follow-up of donors following the receipt of pledges and gifts through a professional stewardship programme
· Works collaboratively with WWF network staff, consultants and others to take advantage of cross-border opportunities and with global donors.
III. Profile:
Required Qualifications:
· Minimum undergraduate university degree
· Minimum seven years' experience in fundraising, including minimum five years' experience of major gift fundraising at a senior level
· Experience of working with high level volunteers and/or committees to deliver major fundraising targets
· Excellent and proven knowledge of major gift fundraising methodology including prospect research, managing databases for major account portfolio management, proposal preparation and the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major donors.
· Proven track record of successfully identifying, securing and cultivating major gifts in excess of $ 100,000 USD
· At least five years’ people management experience ideally in an international context
· Experience of developing and/or implementing a successful major gift or capital campaign would be an advantage
Required Skills and Competencies, essential:
· Superior interpersonal and communications skills, particularly with high-level individuals in a multinational environment
· Strong analytical skills, database proficiency and outstanding budgetary and financial skills, including target setting and monitoring and proficiency in Excel
· Strong diplomatic skills, sensitivity to political issues and interest in conservation;
· Thoroughness and attention to detail and ability to work independently;
· Experience working in international environment and with people from different cultural background and cultural sensitivity
· Energetic, proactive and capable of positively working in a team
· Excellent people management skills, especially leading a diverse team
· Fluency in written and verbal English.
· Willingness and ability to travel internationally
· Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.
Desirable:
· Knowledge of the Swiss fundraising network of high net worth individuals
· Working knowledge of French
IV. Working Relationships:
Internal: Interacts regularly with other Fundraising, Conservation and Management staff of WWF International and the WWF network as required in fulfilment of duties.
External: Interacts with current and prospective major donors, Campaign Steering Committee members and champions.
This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.
TO APPLY
To apply for the post, please send a letter of application stating the skills and approach that you would bring to the post along with your CV/resume (no photos) in English in strict confidence BY EMAIL ONLY to Diana Ruano at recruitment@darylupsall.com Applications sent by other means will not be considered.Please ensure that they are sent as Word documents with the titles “your name cover letter” and “your name CV”. Please put “WWF Head ofMajor Donor Relations” in the email subject line and state how you came across about the job announcement.
Deadline for applications:Monday 14 April, 2014
