Senior Director of Individual Giving   Email     Print   PDF

Reporting to Chief Development Officer, oversees multiple Department-wide initiatives, fostering cross-business unit collaboration, and helps, in conjunction with the CDO, to set course for fundraising staff.  Specifically oversees Major Gifts, Annual Giving and Planned Giving efforts.  Also, maintains high level prospect portfolio of 75 prospects at the $1M+level.

• Oversees all individual giving efforts -  Annual Giving, Planned Giving and Major Gifts - and ensures effective collaboration and prospect management among the 3 units. 
• With CDO and other senior directors, responsible for campaign strategy, long-range planning, developing Institution fundraising priorities, and setting vision. 
• Staffs many lead Institution scientists, working with them to develop funding initiatives and develop high level proposals. 
• Staffs 1 Ocean Institute and 2-3 funding initiatives. 
• Works with Director and President and other Institution leaders to craft funding priorities and major proposals on behalf of the Institution. 
• Works with Annual Giving, Major Gifts and Planned Giving to set annual revenue goals, and build operational plans. 
• Oversees the growth of the Annual Giving donor pool, spear-heading the launch of new fundraising initiatives, including annual giving naming opportunities, online giving initiatives, donor cultivation events, and direct marketing efforts. 
• Oversees the strategy and growth of a robust Planned Giving program that utilizes effective 1:1 donor visits, marketing approaches to reach a wider audience, and cross-solicitation efforts with both Annual Giving and Major/Principal Gifts. 
• Oversees the Major Gifts Program at WHOI, ensuring the building of a strong donor pipeline at the $25,000 - $1M+ level, and building of solicitation strategies. 
• Ensures effective “moves management” so that WHOI donors/prospects are effectively and strategically engaged with the Institution and matched with programs of interest. 
• Tracks staff performance by setting and monitoring annual revenue goals and metrics.
•  Personally staffs high level pool of 75 prospects at $1M+ level.

Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in a scientific discipline highly desirable.  10+ years fundraising experience or training, educational background, and familiarity with scientific research organizations and funding of basic research required.  Campaign experience.  Experience in management of fundraising staff and preferably, management of multiple fundraising units.  Knowledge of and experience with annual giving, major gifts, and planned giving programs.  Strong track record in closing major gifts from individuals in the 6 and 7-figure range.  Track record in working with institutional senior leadership in developing fundraising vision, strategy and priorities.  Demonstrated social skills and poise.  Strong communication skills, both written and oral.  Good organizational skills with facility for managing many projects simultaneously. Ability and willingness to travel.  High energy level essential.  Understanding and appreciation for WHOI’s special scientific mission and the capability to project that mission and the value of scientific research to prospective donors