Summary:

Across the state, Washington has more science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and health care jobs than it can fill yet our higher education system cannot keep up with the demand for skilled employees. The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) is a unique, public-private partnership designed to address our talent shortage. WSOS fuels the state’s economy by providing scholarships and a continuum of support services to high potential students who are pursuing a graduate degree, bachelor’s degree, associate degree, certificate, or apprenticeship in a high-demand trade, health care or STEM program in Washington state.

The Major Gifts Officer is a highly skilled, experienced and results-oriented fundraising professional who can plan individual giving strategy and manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors. They will serve as a strategic thought partner to the Managing Director of Advancement and the Executive Director on campaign planning and the cultivation and stewardship of individual donors. The successful candidate will understand the complexities of philanthropy and be excited to build and grow an individual gifts program. The successful candidate is an excellent relationship steward whose approach is strategic and data-driven with a proven record of producing measurable results. 

WSOS currently has an annual operating and programs budget of about $5 million and supports a scholarship budget of about $18 million annually. WSOS’s 11-member, Governor-appointed Board of Directors meets quarterly. There is a staff of about 30 FTE which is primarily located in Seattle and several remote staff members across the state. WSOS collaborates with its program administrator, 501 Commons, which provides HR, IT and financial services for the organization. The workplace culture at WSOS is fast-paced, innovative, results-driven and equity-focused. All are encouraged to think creatively, voice their opinions, try new things, fail quickly, evaluate, iterate and try again. We spend time investing in relationships, and we acknowledge the humanity of our Scholars, staff and partners. We believe we are powerful because of the diverse perspectives staff bring, and we seek to understand and offer one another grace and acceptance. We commit to giving and receiving feedback honestly and often. We set bold goals and have high expectations for ourselves, and we hold ourselves and each other accountable to them. This doesn’t mean we don’t also have fun! We have built a social, collaborative team and we value opportunities to connect and have fun together. Work-life balance is highly valued: we have a generous PTO and holiday schedule, and we are flexible with staff and allow for fluid work arrangements that make work better integrate with life. If this sounds like you, come join us. 

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

1. Oversee an individual giving strategy, planning for and managing each step of the major donor pipeline including discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
2. Manage relationships and secure investments from a portfolio of 50-75 opportunities (proposals/prospects) that are $25,000k+
3. Support key board members and volunteers in their fundraising efforts, and be one of the lead staff members on the Campaign Steering Committee
4. Measurements of success in this role include number of meaningful connections, stewardship actions and asks; execution against individual engagement and solicitation plans; donor performance year over last; and total dollars raised
5. Maintain the highest ethical standards of the fundraising profession

Requirements

Position requirements: 

The ideal candidate for this position is an experienced fundraiser who is inspired by WSOS’s work in supporting under-resourced students to meet their educational and career goals. Specifically, they will demonstrate:

1. Significant experience securing major gifts, ideally from high-net-worth individuals
2. A proven track record of building relationships with potential funders and closing gifts ideally ranging from $25,000 to $1 million
3. Expertise in stewarding relationships with high-profile, high-net-worth individuals
4. A nuanced understanding of the current philanthropic landscape, and the ability to strategically plan a fundraising program that addresses relevant challenges and opportunities

Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience), ideally in fundraising, nonprofit or business administration or other related field 
2. Minimum of five years of experience (more a plus) working in fundraising, community engagement, corporate relations, higher education or related fields 
3. Demonstrated major gifts experience with a track record of building donor relationships and closing large gifts in excess of $25,000
4. Demonstrated experience stewarding relationships with high-profile, high-net-worth individuals
5. CFRE, CFRM or other fundraising certification is desirable

Core Competencies

1. Able to thoughtfully consider and embrace new ideas and different perspectives
2. Focuses on accomplishing team goals rather than a personal agenda
3. Communicates goals, objectives and strategies frequently and aligns them with work and tasks
4. Regularly reflects on challenging situations as opportunities to identify learning opportunities; engages others in reflection
5. Proactively and independently identifies potential challenges
6. Awareness of inequities that exist at multiple levels (personal, interpersonal, organizational, and systemic)

Preferred Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

1. Effective strategies that underpin individual major giving programs built on evaluation of past performance and the creation of progress and outcome measures
2. Highly effective donor communications, including the components of compelling major gift and investment proposals 
3. Nonprofit fundraising best practices and the local philanthropic landscape
4. High-demand (leading or up-and-coming) industry sectors in the state of Washington, particularly those that leverage the advancement of STEM and health care 
5. Systems of power and oppression and how they impact the lived experience of students of color, first-generation college students and students from low-income families

Skill in:

1. Effectively motivating and managing high-level volunteers and Board members
2. The art of building strong relationships with individuals from all kinds of backgrounds
3. Making compelling, persuasive presentations 
4. Using a donor/constituent CRM such as Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge for moves management
5. Ability to interpret prospect research 
6. Use of Microsoft Office and Smartsheet (or similar project management software)
7. Leveraging technology and other creative solutions to enhance productivity and grow efficiencies

Ability to:

1. Manage multiple priorities and meet ambitious timeline and fundraising targets
2. Build and maintain strong donor and staff relationships
3. Demonstrate leadership, initiative, collaboration and interpersonal skills
4. Demonstrat...